Hi all,
I thought I had a simple job to tick off today and had a go at removing a core plug that had a tiny hole in it leaking coolant. I'd watched videos of people hammering a screwdriver or something similar and the plug twisting so you can get pliers on them and pull them out. That would have been a nice simple job for me to handle.
I used a socket extension about 6mm thick, tapping at the bottom it was denting the plug more than twisting it. I then got a screwdriver, medium size probably, a fat screwdriver would have been nice but I don't have one stubby enough to still have room to hammer. The screwdriver pierced the freeze plug instead of twisting it.
I've resisted going too far at this point, fearing I could piece most of the plug and not have enough structure to pull it out, IF I can get do something to get it twisting out finally.
I took a couple of photos, hopefully there's still a decent way to get it out. But if anyone knows that at this point it's a lot of work to get out, I might ask the local garage to finish the job. Similarly, if anyone knows any other tricks to get it out when it's got to this stage, any help is hugely appreciated.
There's another question related to this so I'll add it here rather than start another thread. I flushed the coolant of the engine and radiator a while ago, got it pretty clear and filled it back up with new coolant. So the amount of rusty gunk being this plug was a hit of a surprise. Shouldn't this be nice looking coolant behind the plug? When I drained the radiator before tackling the freeze plug, the coolant was pretty clear, didn't indicate anything like this somewhere in the system. Right now my priority is the freeze plug ready for winter, but feels like I'll have another obstacle to get the coolant system completely clear of crud.
Cheers
Andy
I thought I had a simple job to tick off today and had a go at removing a core plug that had a tiny hole in it leaking coolant. I'd watched videos of people hammering a screwdriver or something similar and the plug twisting so you can get pliers on them and pull them out. That would have been a nice simple job for me to handle.
I used a socket extension about 6mm thick, tapping at the bottom it was denting the plug more than twisting it. I then got a screwdriver, medium size probably, a fat screwdriver would have been nice but I don't have one stubby enough to still have room to hammer. The screwdriver pierced the freeze plug instead of twisting it.
I've resisted going too far at this point, fearing I could piece most of the plug and not have enough structure to pull it out, IF I can get do something to get it twisting out finally.
I took a couple of photos, hopefully there's still a decent way to get it out. But if anyone knows that at this point it's a lot of work to get out, I might ask the local garage to finish the job. Similarly, if anyone knows any other tricks to get it out when it's got to this stage, any help is hugely appreciated.
There's another question related to this so I'll add it here rather than start another thread. I flushed the coolant of the engine and radiator a while ago, got it pretty clear and filled it back up with new coolant. So the amount of rusty gunk being this plug was a hit of a surprise. Shouldn't this be nice looking coolant behind the plug? When I drained the radiator before tackling the freeze plug, the coolant was pretty clear, didn't indicate anything like this somewhere in the system. Right now my priority is the freeze plug ready for winter, but feels like I'll have another obstacle to get the coolant system completely clear of crud.
Cheers
Andy