Hey guys, so i had a rad leak and i used some jb weld and fixed it, my problem is now that my radiator drain plug (no matter how tight) wont stop the bleeder from draining. I don't know whats wrong and i bought another plug and it didn't work so now they're both snapped i just need a way to permanently plug the bleeder and if i ever need to drain again ill just disconnect the lower rad hose, please help me guys I seriously cannot afford a new radiator. Could i get by with just sliding on one of those plastic grommits that they put on the auto tranny valves at the bottom, would that work, cause i have lots of those

 

it's leaking past the threads of the plug?

have you tried wrapping the threads with white teflon tape?

 

my drain plug had a little rubber o-ring on the tip of the drain plug itself. This o-ring gave out in pieces and I too had a leak from the plug. Take out your drain plug and go to the hardware store and find one that is a little bit thicker around. Did this with mine and have not had a leak since. I plan on replacing this o-ring anytime I change my coolant just for piece of mind. I don't know if this is the same on all draing plugs or not.

 

no i think its the wrong drain plug but either way the threads are messed so i need a way to absoloutely permanently plug both the bleeder and the plug. I put a grommet on the bleeder and another one over that haha with a zip tie around it and i covered the drain plug in jb weld but its still dripping a little bit. I need a cheap easy fix but if this doesnt work...Anybody want to buy a pickup?

 

If its that big a deal just get a new radiator.

Whoops, just saw the you can't afford a new one.

I was just at pick and pull though and they had a nice one sitting there. Any yards around where you live?

 

yea theres a sicc wrecker where i lvie that really really good, but as i said...no money, a used rad from this wrecker i could get for like 75$ but ive been laid off for a while now and i cant afford to be doing this right now, especially to swap out a performance rad that works perfectly fine for a crappier one, if i had a welding machine this wouldn't be an issure...but i dunt gotst one!!!

 

Maybe try coating the threads of the drain plug, or a bolt of the same size, with rtv and screw it back in there.

 

yeah i was going to try coating it but It's leaking out the end of the plug where its kind of broken, I put 2 rubber grommets on, one on the bleeder and one over the plug, its still leaking, but not quite as bad, my only other idea is to keep the grommets on, use gorilla glue over the whole opening and than using jb weld over that...and maybe throw a few zip ties in there as well. Talk about not pretty but as long as it holds for a couple months or so until i can afford a welding machine to completely close it. none of you idiots can come up with anything else?!?! haha just kidding! thanks for the help you guys, even if it is still f****'d and I'm about to go crazy from frustration!

THANKS!!!!!

 

if the rad was empty your jdweld trick probably would work.

 

my drain plug is completely gone from my radiator . There is a slit there can I use jb weld to plug it permanently. Until I can afford a radiator

 

~9 for jb-weld versus 3-4 for a new plug, it's your time and money but I hit the parts store. Could probably source the 90's era drain valve for less than $10 also.