[fastbee]

Today after draining my coolant the pet would not tighten. I messed around with it for a while and finally got it pulled out. The threads were bunged up and would not start. I fixed that issue and attempted to re-install. It seemed the plastic piece on the radiator was turning in the hole as well, not letting the plug get tight. While attempting to remove the plastic piece it fell back into the radiator. I fished around for it and finally was able to snag it, but short of a miracle I don't see how to get it back out with out breaking it into smaller pieces and losing them in the radiator as well. Would that piece be OK just left alone in there? In looking at the coolant flow, it enters the rad on that same side from above and flows through the radiator to the water pump and engine. Unless the coolant passages in the radiator are massive, I don't see how it could pass through there and get to the water pump or anything else for that matter. Has this happened to anyone else? Should I keep trying to get it out?

 

[maxwellxx]

my mech said the radiator drains are cheap junk, he always drains my coolant by taking loose the lower radiator hose and draining the coolant that way. as he has had the same problem you have, coolant drain will not close back or leaks or breaks off.

you might take the lower radiator hose off and catch the coolant, your loose part might wash out.
as the coolant is out of the radiator you might try using a water hose and washing the radiator out from the top, it might force the loose part out.

then add back your coolant.

worth a shot, do not know how big the loose part is and what it might do to the water pump impellers???????????.

 

[2007 cummins 6.7 liter]

my mech said the radiator drains are cheap junk, he always drains my coolant by taking loose the lower radiator hose and draining the coolant that way. as he has had the same problem you have, coolant drain will not close back or leaks or breaks off.

you might take the lower radiator hose off and catch the coolant, your loose part might wash out.
as the coolant is out of the radiator you might try using a water hose and washing the radiator out from the top, it might force the loose part out.

then add back your coolant.

worth a shot, do not know how big the loose part is and what it might do to the water pump impellers???????????.

I've read a lot about the threads getting messed up so I just went ahead and bought a spare one for 5 bucks at the dealer in case it happened to me, but mine was fine.

 

[Podiesel]

Some thoughts on the drain plug here ---->

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-non-powertrain/612586-radiator-drain.html#post6394941

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ose-radiator-pet-2004-5-a-304284/#post3114286