[Ram'n It]

LOL! Well buddy, your really not that bad off. You can replace that o-ring with any small 0-ring you can find. Go to your local auto parts store and get one. Just unscrew the pet-**** untill it comes out. No you don't have to replace the engine plugs. No the dealership won't deliver to your house only to a buisness. You have 9 gal of fluid, and 4 of that you won't need. Out of a 7 gal system you will only get a max of 5 gal out. My best suggestion is to get a new water pump too. They are way easy to replace and supper cheap. The belt is the hardest part. You will need a extra set of hands. Now that I think of it some petcocks don't have a rubber ring. Its normal for it to leak out the threads when you unscrew it too far. Just take it all the way out. Its a faster drain that way. Then when done just tighten it back down finger tight. You should have no leaks. Good luck.

 

[louis rutigliano]

So I got everything I need to do a coolant flush standing by, 4 gals of Prestone HD ELC and 5 gals of distilled water and a new gasket for the t stat. I open the petcock on the radiator and nothing happens so I give it a few more turns until fluid starts coming out. It leaks from the valve knob too now. :w: I wish I would have thought to get whatever o-ring I needed on hand before I cracked that sucker, they break all the time on airplane petcocks where I work. Hopefully dodge will bring the part to me since I can't go anywhere now. :doh:
Anyways I guess my question is what now? Can I fix it with a new o-ring? If so, how does it come out so I can install a new one?

Another question if you could shed some light on this newb, is that petcock the kind where you turn the knob straight and its open and to close it you turn it across or do you just unscrew until it opens and tighten until it closes?
Last question: Should I bother removing the engine plugs? I read on this forum that they are behind the oil filter but I can't ID 'em. What do they look like? Are they set in, sticking out, are they bolts, hex, ratchet drive?
Help a guy out here please. :S:

I don't think the petcock is broken. It doesn't have an oring, it has a rubber flat washer thats a major pain to remove and to re-install. Spray the petcock with WD40 and the rubber flat washer will slide in and out of the hole... It turns until its tight, if I remember, but you have to push it in quite a ways until the threads engage past the rubber flat washer... WD40 it!!

Drain your coolant. Then fill with distilled water (you will need 7 to 8 gallons (capacity is 30qts). Drive around and get your engine warm, then drain the water. Do this again if its still scaly and/or rusty looking, otherwise add approx 3.5 to 4 gallons of anti-freeze and top off with distilled water.

 

[NickBeek]

Here is a pic of the petcock from my truck. Hopefully seeing it out of the truck will help you.

You might want to think about replacing this hose too while you have the system empty.

 

[PWTurboProps]

Morning.

Ok good then I'm just suffering from stupidity. From the look of that valve in the pic above I just need to bear down on it and and give it a turn until it engages.

Back to it.

 

[elephantrider]

bear down bear down !!!! :thumbsup:

 

[PWTurboProps]

Success. The valve closed although not easy. After the flush and service It leaked under pressure. There is a point where you have to stop turning and I think I passed it the first time. It's fine now. It's tender little thing isn't it. Hopefully it won't crap out on me. I think I'll invest in a new one just in case.

Thanks to everyone who talked me down. I was freaked out last night. :thumbsup:

 

[steelhead01]

oh, from the radiator petcock.:confused013::rof:spank:

Success.

Thanks to everyone who talked me down. I was freaked out last night. :thumbsup:

my motto is scare it loose or tight with a big hammer, 2 are even better:bonk:

 

[PWTurboProps]

Rock on bud. Normally that's the plan. That's one dainty valve though.

 

[PWTurboProps]

Here is a pic of the petcock from my truck. Hopefully seeing it out of the truck will help you.

You might want to think about replacing this hose too while you have the system empty.

Here's a weird question that I'm not if anyone can answer or not. The petcock on my radiator has a slow leak. It is a quarter turn like the one in the pic above. The one that Dodge gave me and the one they are certain I need is threaded with an anchor. Did Dodge change the part? Will my radiator accept this type of petcock.

Go easy on me, I'm an aircraft guy and in aviation they supersede parts for better ones all the time.

 

[Revolution]

thats the way my petcock that orderd was. i never put in yet. will it work?

 

[Tim Lloyd]

Hey man, if you work on airplanes which airline is it?

 

[PWTurboProps]

deleted by poster

 

[PWTurboProps]

thats the way my petcock that orderd was. i never put in yet. will it work?

Not sure. If I attempt it I will let you know. Does yours quarter turn or tighten the more you turn it? If you haven't cracked it yet PLEASE don't do it for my sake. I have enough heat as it is. :kill:

 

[alramr]

I had the same problem in the fall of 2009. Plastic petcock would not tighten. In the end, it was broken and had to visit Dodge dealer for petcock replacement. One half of petcock pulled out while the other half, rest-in-peace, is in the radiator for eternity. The best way to drain the fluid, it to take off the lower radiator hose and let it pour. LEAVE THE PETCOCK ALONE - THEY WILL BREAK AND LEAVE YOU STRANDED unless you have a replacement on hand.

 

[PWTurboProps]

Well, I have a replacement. It's not the same style and Dodge hasn't a clue. The old one is holding, but seriously what a piece.

 

[PWTurboProps]

Hey man, if you work on airplanes which airline is it?

Tell you what, You come work on aircraft and well see how many newb questions you have that I will gladly answer. I would not assume that you are a bad automotive mechanic for it either. Just that you have never rigged a hydro-mechanical fuel control on a turbine driven prop that produces 2400 ft lbs of torque that has to match the other engine. Or if you had a question or two on how to rig out the flight controls or troubleshoot an avionics system. I wouldn't assume it was because you didn't know anything about trucks is what I'm sayin. :thumbsup:

 

[East Coast]

Hey man, if you work on airplanes which airline is it?

:hehe:

That's not bad.

 

[PWTurboProps]

Whatever. :lol4:

 

[vintagespeed]

Tell you what, You come work on aircraft and well see how many newb questions you have...

that one's been bugging you for 3 months? id' say mission accomplished.