Radiator Drain Plug Broke

Hi there,

I was thinking of replacing the coolant on my 98 Malibu. I crawled underneath to open the radiator drain plug. It was very tight as I applied more force the wing handle snapped off. I tried hammering a flat head screwdriver in the center of the plug and twisting...that didnt work. I tried using vice grips on the outer edge of the plug...that didnt work either. Well my plug is just butchered now. There is basically nothing else to grab on to. I was thinking of drilling out the center of the plug but was worried it may damage the threads in the radiator. Im out of ideas now. I need some help. Im in a real pickle.

Thanks.

Al

what way did you try to screw it. cuz they usualy are saposed to be screwed in, clockwise. did you look to see if there is a provision to put a wrench on and turn out the entire unit. and replace it. im not totaly sure on the new stuff, to me 98 is new, but thats what they have on them back in the 60's. but as far as i know all the drain plugs i have seen you are saposed to turn clockwise, as if you were tightening it. who knows maybe for some reason they changed it but probably not.

I'm not for sure, but I read somewhere that the pet-cock pulls out to drain, and push's in to close.
When you find out let us all know!

-Mike

I'm not for sure, but I read somewhere that the pet-cock pulls out to drain, and push's in to close.
When you find out let us all know!

-Mike

Can someone post the proper way to open the plug, is it screwed in or push to open and close

Hi Romeo3,

Dont make the same mistake I made. The rad plug is not a screw so dont try to unsrew it out. You will just damage the weak plastic. What you want to do is pull it away from the radiator. Once pulled the plug will remain attached to the radiator while it is draining. To close the drain plug just simply push it back into the radiator.

Hope that helps good luck.

Al