Leaking Plastic Radiator Drain Plug

[1997 JGC]

A year ago I had a new plastic tank radiator installed in my 1997 jgc 4.0. Soon after the plastic radiator drain plug began leaking. The dealership installed a new plastic plug with some sort of black rtv or silicone and it seemed to be fine until now. I hope they didn't strip the threads on the tank.

What ever happened to the good old metal petcocks like what my old radiator had?? Is it possible to remove this plastic drain plug and install a metal petcock??

[BenBB]

I belive that you can do that, it probably wont be that hard to find online or something. But is it possible that the plug could be to small and that is the reason for the leaking, because on mine it screws out half way then drains, and does not leak. Good luck

[dksob81]

Well Are you sure it is coming from the drain plug?

I just put a new radiator on my 94 5.2L a lil over a year ago it also has the plastic side tanks and started leaking, I thought it was the drain plug as well, but I found it was actually coming from where the Radiator Core and side tanks meet.

[1997 JGC]

It's the drain plug because it's dripping from the bottom of the plug only. I know all about plastic radiators and their seam leaks. This is radiator no. (8) in less than 2 yrs. The only reason I kept letting the jeep dealership reinstall the same thing is becuse they were under warranty. I stopped at the local radiator shop today which is where I should have gone to begin with instead of the jeep dealership and I could have gotten an all metal radiator to begin with for a lot less money. The local radiator shop tried a new plug and so far today it's holding. He told me that the real test will be when it gets real cold and everything shrinks. He also said that because the jeep dealership put rtv silicone on the radiator it voided any further warranty and I would have to purchase the next radiator myself. Let's hope it holds.

[dksob81]

Check out WWW.RADIATOREXPRESS.COM, if the plug doesn't hold they have the 3-ROW All METAL Radiator for around $160.

[nick0750]

The plastic drain cock has an oring on it and it very easy to install it only cost $4.00 pn 4644746

[nick0750]

Available Dealer Name City State Country Phone
1 FURY MOTORS INC SOUTH ST PAUL MN USA 651-251-8269
Updated: January 25, 2006 MON-THURS 7:30AM/9:00PM FRI UNTIL 5:30PM SAT 7:30AM/4:00PM 800-936-0028

2 A M MAUS & SON INC KIMBALL MN USA 320-398-3210

1 MILLS JEEP WILLMAR MN USA 320-214-5400
Updated: January 25, 2006 800-247-1158

these are the only dealers in MN that stock the part but any chrysler jeep dodge dealer can get it for you

[1997 JGC]

Originally Posted by nick0750

The plastic drain cock has an oring on it and it very easy to install it only cost $4.00 pn 4644746

They have already tried a new plug with o-ring but they think it's a defect in the radiator itself and are going to install radiator number 9.

[nick0750]

are they using a factory radiator ?
or an aftermarket one we had the same problem with an aftermarket non mopar radiator in our body shop we had to get a factory mopar radiator part number 52028379 $279.00 to correct the problem..

[1997 JGC]

Originally Posted by nick0750

are they using a factory radiator ?
or an aftermarket one we had the same problem with an aftermarket non mopar radiator in our body shop we had to get a factory mopar radiator part number 52028379 $279.00 to correct the problem..

It's an aftermarket radiator with a lifetime warranty. The first (7) were mopars that either leaked in the tank seams or cracked in the housing. The jeep dealership said the mopars that were coming in appeared to have defective castings. They said they had one other jgc that had it's 4th installed.

[nick0750]

they were covering them under warranty for you right?

[1997 JGC]

Originally Posted by nick0750

they were covering them under warranty for you right?

I have only paid for the first one. I wanted to trade for an all metal but the jeep dealership claims they are unable to get one. I am thinking about buying my own but I really think that's what they want me to do to be rid of me so I am still hanging around.

[nick0750]

let me know if i can help in finding an all metal one
email me @ [email protected]

[dksob81]

I just got my ALL METAL 3-ROW radiator yesterday from WWW.RADIATOREXPRESS.COM (OR BY PHONE 1-866-RADEXPRESS). I paid $173 (total with S&H) and it comes with a Lifetime warranty.

I looked it up for your year and engine and it a lil bit cheaper then it was for mine.