• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Broke the Radiator Drain Nut Off...

  • Thread starter Thread starter bryan0
  • Start date Start date Aug 1, 2007

bryan0

New Member
Jun 9, 2005
175
0
0
Bethel, CT
Aug 1, 2007
#1
  • Aug 1, 2007
  • #1
Stupid me...
I got carried away while tightening the plastic nut that you loosen to drain the coolant from the radiator. The stem of the bolt is still in there and it's obviously tight enough, so there's no leaks. I'm not in a rush to get it fixed, but I want to get the stuff so I can do it when I have the time.
Has anyone been through this before? I didn't look too much, but it doesn't look like it'll be too too bad. Does that plastic bolt come all the way out if you keep turning it? I could get a left-hand-thread screw and try taking it out like that if the whole thing just comes out.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
0
47
Clovis, CA
Aug 1, 2007
#2
  • Aug 1, 2007
  • #2
bryan0 said:
Stupid me...
I got carried away while tightening the plastic nut that you loosen to drain the coolant from the radiator. The stem of the bolt is still in there and it's obviously tight enough, so there's no leaks. I'm not in a rush to get it fixed, but I want to get the stuff so I can do it when I have the time.
Has anyone been through this before? I didn't look too much, but it doesn't look like it'll be too too bad. Does that plastic bolt come all the way out if you keep turning it? I could get a left-hand-thread screw and try taking it out like that if the whole thing just comes out.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I did the same thing. Left that **** right in there .

Just use the radiator hose to drain the coolant if you ever need to drain again.
 
S

SilverBullet00

New Member
Jul 5, 2004
1,150
0
0
Wichita, KS
Aug 1, 2007
#3
  • Aug 1, 2007
  • #3
When I broke mine off I realized there was a hex hole through the plastic nut. So when the nut broke off there was still a little bit of the hole left where I could use an hex key to remove/install the drain plug. Check it out, yours may be the same... That was on a 2000 GT
 

40th GT

New Member
Apr 7, 2004
916
0
0
Lawrenceville, GA
Aug 1, 2007
#4
  • Aug 1, 2007
  • #4
I did the same **** too. I didn't realize the plastic was that weak and I tightened it too much. I just used a wide flathead screwdriver to turn it.
 

96GTstang46

New Member
Nov 20, 2006
142
0
0
Seattle, Washington
Aug 2, 2007
#5
  • Aug 2, 2007
  • #5
You mean to tell me that people DONT brake this off???

Yea i just take the raditor hose off.. its not like you have to do it offen (hopfully) otherwise, i think that screwdriver trick might work.. im going to try it next time.. lol thanks 40th GT
 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member
Oct 10, 2000
1,427
6
79
Chesterfield, MO
Aug 2, 2007
#6
  • Aug 2, 2007
  • #6
A new one costs under $10 (at the Ford parts counter). Remove the remaining piece (the far end is split and has barbs on it but it can be pulled out) bye loosening it until you can grab the remaining part with needlenose pliers. Basically, the drain c*ck (yes, that's what it is called) is loosened completely first and then, if you want to remove it, you compress the shaft to let the barbs pass through the opening. The reason the barbs are on there is so that the drain stays in place but allows coolant to come out.

HTH,

Chris
 

Blinkstang

Member
Apr 2, 2005
316
0
16
Chicago, IL
Aug 3, 2007
#7
  • Aug 3, 2007
  • #7
SilverBullet00 said:
When I broke mine off I realized there was a hex hole through the plastic nut. So when the nut broke off there was still a little bit of the hole left where I could use an hex key to remove/install the drain plug. Check it out, yours may be the same... That was on a 2000 GT
Click to expand...
I did the same thing when I broke mine, haha. Picked up a new one at Murray's for like $4.
 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding
Apr 6, 2003
1,418
0
0
Houston
Aug 3, 2007
#8
  • Aug 3, 2007
  • #8
Wow, i did the same damn thing. OH well, i just forgot about it since i don't plan to drain my radiator every month.
 

DTNODYA

Member
Dec 15, 2005
831
1
16
Aug 3, 2007
#9
  • Aug 3, 2007
  • #9
I have to join the "I thought I was the only one who did that" club ...

I bought got a new one from autozone .. it was cheap
 

bryan0

New Member
Jun 9, 2005
175
0
0
Bethel, CT
Aug 3, 2007
#10
  • Aug 3, 2007
  • #10
Wow, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one!

Thanks for your help guys, it doesn't look like it'll be too bad after all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
01 GT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK CYLINDER LINKAGE
  • Scwhitten
  • May 13, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
143
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 19, 2026
melo.timo
M
M
2001 v6 heater return pipe leak question
  • mnky99
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
247
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Nov 11, 2025
mnky99
M
M
2001 v6 heater hose quick connect question
  • mnky99
  • Sep 24, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
571
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Sep 26, 2025
mnky99
M
Sn95 new style hub retaining nuts
  • limp
  • Mar 6, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
512
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 7, 2025
limp
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
384
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?