Radiator plug

[Ozzwoman9]

Has anyone ever had theirs just completely fall out? Ugh!
I see that it's a separate part and ordered the $4 thing, but seriously what a pita!

I hope this fixes my leak. What sucks is it was dark and snowing out and I couldn't see anything under the hood, could have saved a 90 mile tow bill

[Money pit Beretta]

Never had one fall out. Most have an over sized end to make sure that they don't come out. Mine is getting loose on its own though, that and the fact that it will not open(other then the small leak). Makes me miss the old style that would strip out. At least you could still get those out to replace them.

[Rettax3]

I've heard of one crumbling completely, I don't recall if I actually saw it or if I just trusted the source, though. None of mine have been a problem aside from being difficult to remove, and piddling all over the place once they were loose.

[Ozzwoman9]

The center fell out of my old one. How am I supposed to get the rest of it out so I can get the new one in???

[ifixalot]

my cars have replacement radiators so plugs could differ. Your center should just screw out I think so if you have a small screwdriver and a propane torch.
Heat the screwdriver hot and work it into the plastic, let it cool and see if you can screw it out.
Other than that, if you have drills and room under there you could try and drill in out by drilling with successively larger bits until so little remains that you can pick out what is left.
You can get a radiator on Ebay for $55 shipped, the ones I got work well. Might be easier especially if yours is old and the side tanks are bulging or cracking as they tend to do.
Good luck

[Ozzwoman9]

The problem is the part that screws in is broke. Finally got it (I think) then broke the new part trying to figure out how to get it in right. After trying the second part in a min I'm calling it quits and getting a new radiator. With my luck I'll waste all this time and it'll end up leaking anyway since its so old.

[Money pit Beretta]

That's the only way I know how to do it. That makes me feel bad though.

[Ozzwoman9]

Well, finally got it. Driving it today and paranoid, but made it 50 miles to work ok.

Someone I know suggested that perhaps something got stuck...like maybe thermostat that caused pressure to build up making it pop out? I dunno, but this happened when the car was sitting (so I doubt that) and I would have noticed had it happened while driving (I would think).

[ifixalot]

The radiator coolant tank cap is supposed to relieve pressure but if bad, might be the cause.
Pressure rises even after you shut the engine off as more heat from the block gets transferred into
the coolant as it sits in the passages and is not cooled by lack of flow but again is supposed to be limited
by the coolant tank cap. Maybe get a new one or see if you can have your tested.

[Ozzwoman9]

This happened while the car had been sitting. We're talking for several hours.
It would not surprise me if some ahole didn't mess with it either.