98 Lesabre Coolant Drain Cock replacement

[scederas]

Hi. Has anyone ever replaced the drain cock on the radiator for a 98 Buick Lesabre?

I just finished a upper intake manifold, lower intake manifold repair and the car run great. Now no matter how hard I tightened the drain cock I still get coolant leaking from the drain cock.

I looked online and see the part is some cheap plastic material and was wondering if anyone has any pointers when replacing the original one.

Thanks,
Sam in Cary,NC

[imidazol97]

Do you have the radiator out? I'd try some vinegar into the area to try to dissolve what might be mineral deposits.

I don't know how much the drain costs and I don't know anything about how effective replacement is.

I do know that my 98 with 180000 miles had had a strange loss of coolant mostly in summer which I suspected was lower intake gaskets seeping under pressure. Turned out it was a crack in the upper rounded part of the plastic radiator. Had to be under pressure to see the hairline crack. Coolant from it was invisible going down the side and collected in the under radiator support and only occasionally dripped out the hole when parked.

For $150 delivered I had a new radiator.

IOW, how good is your old radiator? How much trouble do you want to put in the replacement drain?

[scederas]

Thanks for your reply. I made a make shift tool.....a 16 penny nail in the grips of a pair of vice grips.....this gave me the lip I needed to reach from behind and pull out the old drain cock after pulling out the screw in valve first.
I then inserted the new drain cock assembly.
Started her up and it started to leak but this time I had noticed it was not coming from the drain cock as I thought before. It is coming from a crack at the top of the radiator.


Time to go and get a new radiator. I see that I can get one online from
Advance Autoparts using coupon code VISA for $50 off bringing the total
to $106.99.

Anyway....that is where I am at now. I have attached some photos.
I am taking a break until later today.

Sam in Cary,NC

[scederas]

The new radiator has been installed and all is well. I had an issue with the transmission cooling lines.....actually the lower on was leaking only because I did not tighten it enough....now all is well.
Thanks all for you help and comments.

Sam
Cary,NC