Grr, Stripped rad drain plug - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

joey.dale · #1 04-03-2008, 10:14 PM

I was getting the green out, and managed to strip the drain plug hole, in the radiator and now it has a small leak. It this something I can epoxy and not worry about?

-Joey

Chad300tdt · #2 04-03-2008, 10:23 PM

You can always drain it in the future by removing the lower hose. How did you strip it? On my w123, the drain plug is plastic. Is yours metal? I think you can get universal plugs like the kind for oil pans when the threads are stripped. It's like a rubber stopper that expands when you tighten the screw in it.

Knightrider966 · #3 04-03-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey.dale

I was getting the green out, and managed to strip the drain plug hole, in the radiator and now it has a small leak. It this something I can epoxy and not worry about?

-Joey

I'm not sure how you did this in the first place since the drain plug in mine is plastic, isn't yours? I would think you could put a plastic epoxy on the drain plug and thread it back in and it would hold, but of course now you'll have to pull your lower hose to drain your coolant, a messy proposition. I would remove the radiator and clean the drain plug and mount with Alcohol to remove all coolant and then using a 2 part epoxy, mix what you need and spread it on your drain plug and plug hole and then re-insert it. Wait for it to thoroughly dry and you should be fine. I think JB Weld would be good for this! JB weld is plastic safe.

winmutt · #4 04-03-2008, 11:00 PM

Ditto on the plastic. Even on my wifes old 80TD. Maybe some teflon tape?

Chad300tdt · #5 04-03-2008, 11:13 PM

Here's a link to one of the plugs I was talking about. I don't know if this one would be the right size, but at least you can see the type of plug.
http://www.hallspeedshop.com/universal-rubber-drain-plug-p-33230.html

Diesel911 · #6 04-03-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightrider966

I'm not sure how you did this in the first place since the drain plug in mine is plastic, isn't yours? I would think you could put a plastic epoxy on the drain plug and thread it back in and it would hold, but of course now you'll have to pull your lower hose to drain your coolant, a messy proposition. I would remove the radiator and clean the drain plug and mount with Alcohol to remove all coolant and then using a 2 part epoxy, mix what you need and spread it on your drain plug and plug hole and then re-insert it. Wait for it to thoroughly dry and you should be fine. I think JB Weld would be good for this! JB weld is plastic safe.

JB weld will work because it is a high temp epoxy I think up the 250 degrees F. The area will need to be dry, clean and degreased.

Question: Is there a Factory fix for this?

Chad300tdt · #7 04-03-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

JB weld will work because it is a high temp epoxy I think up the 250 degrees F. The area will need to be dry, clean and degreased.

Question: Is there a Factory fix for this?

I believe the factory fix would be a new radiator.

project84300sd · #8 04-03-2008, 11:24 PM

you can order a replacement drain plug from dieselgiant.com...

JimmyL · #9 04-03-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I believe the factory fix would be a new radiator.

Funny, but pretty much true too.

Knightrider966 · #10 04-03-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel911

JB weld will work because it is a high temp epoxy I think up the 250 degrees F. The area will need to be dry, clean and degreased.

Question: Is there a Factory fix for this?

Well, a factory mechanic would insist on anew radiator like others here have said!

I think 5 minute epoxy could work too just make sure it will work on plastic. It is cheaper than a new radiator.

I cant imagine a factory fix though for a stripped thread in plastic!

joey.dale · #11 04-04-2008, 08:00 AM

My PO installed the radiator and didn't line the drain plug up with the hole quite right. So in my great wisdom, tryed removing the plug, but there wasn't room for it to come out, so it just spun.