Radiator Bleed Screw

[ariddell]

Argh! Had the radiator bleed screw on top of the radiator on my Chim undone earlier and it took quite a bit of force to get it undone. When i did it back up using similar force it caused the damn thing to shred. Plastic cap joined to metal thread and the whole plastic bit has torn and detatched leaving a nice big hole in the top of my radiator and the metal screw part stuck in the top.

I have tried the usual technique of creating a groove in the part stuck in the radiator to try to unscrew it by hammering it round with a screwdriver int he groove but it's refusing to budge.

Anyone got any other ideas on how i can get the stuck bit out, and if the bleed screw is an easily replacable part? Bearing in mind i'm in Australia i'm hoping it's the same as one on a Land Rover etc so i don't have to get one sent out from the UK if i eventually manage to get the stuck part removed.

Cheers

Al

Edited by ariddell on Tuesday 21st October 12:10

[Chimjunkie]

If it's soft metal i would drill it out then flush the rad through. In fact rad not too difficult to take off so take it off to do the job. Alternatively if it is stuck but with a good seal then drill and tap a new hole within it for the new bleed

[spend]

I inherited a couple of nice titanium ones :ahem: so its only a std thread bung. I can find out what the thread is if you want to try & buy from a hydraulic/fixings stockist?

[ariddell]

I think it has gone off the thread - otherwise it should have at least started unscrewing from the screwdriver/hammer approach.

Will see if i can get the size of the plastic centre hole in the existing bung and possibly screw another smaller one in there and see how the seal is. Otherwise will make a temporary repair good enough to get it in to somewhere to have it professionally removed and rethreaded.

Just can't believe how bad a design it is, making something that has to be screwed in tight to hold the pressure out of plastic bonded onto a hollow metal ring/thread as opposed to a single solid metal piece.

Thanks

[Chimjunkie]

They were changed on later models if that's any consolation!

edited to add: Just spotted yours is a 98. Mines a 1999 and it has no plastic. Can you post a picture? I'm intrigued!

Edited by Chimjunkie on Wednesday 22 October 08:54

[spend]

Is this one of the (very late / rare) clamp on plastic side tanked rads? If so you may be better asking in some of the T-series forums..

[ariddell]

Good point.

Here's the offending part on the top, drivers side of the radiator. I've aroldite'd the plastic top of the bolt thing back on to see how well it holds.

Hopefully will be enough to get it in somewhere to figure out a more permanent solution - will start her up and bring it up to temperature to see how it holds tomorrow when the adhesive has fully set.