Best way to access block coolant drain?

[firstE30]

Hi all. I am trying to flush the nasty brown coolant out of my m42 but i cant seem to get the block coolant drain plug out. I have tried going at it with a crescent wrench and a 19mm ratchet with extension but it is on their pretty good and i cant get in a comfortable position to really leverage it. How the hell do i get that plug out?!?

[bmwman91]

19mm socket and the right extension on a ratchet. Can you get a better angle on it from under the car? Yeah it is a shitty location. Soak it with PB blaster and let it sit for an evening.

[TobyB]

This is one of those 'just the right length' extension things- when you have the
right length one on the right socket- or breaker bar- it comes right out.

Otherwise it's a total bitch.

I've pulled more than one to find it's so silted up that water won't come out...

And they can get really really stuck, too, sometimes.

t

[hachirokuae]

I've pulled more than one to find it's so silted up that water won't come out...



t

The same thing happened to me. Nothing came out, and after i looked closely there was no hole behind the bolt thread

[roguetoaster]

The same thing happened to me. Nothing came out, and after i looked closely there was no hole behind the bolt thread

If that happens, just take a screwdriver and jab at the blockage until it clears. A hammer may, but out not be required.

[hachirokuae]

If that happens, just take a screwdriver and jab at the blockage until it clears. A hammer may, but out not be required.

From which side of the hole does it pour out, because I cant see the passage.

[roguetoaster]

From which side of the hole does it pour out, because I cant see the passage.

It simply pours out of the hole on the block, don't believe it's more top/bottom/left/right. Be sure you have the right bolt removed (it will be very short, ~20mm total), then insert screwdriver and jab away. At most you will impact the back side of the coolant passage and you are unlikely to hurt anything.

[firstE30]

Im gonna revive my own thread here because i still have not been able to remove the drain plug. Is it olay if i just flush with a hose and drain from the radiator before adding coolant?

[Dj Buttchug]

Im gonna revive my own thread here because i still have not been able to remove the drain plug. Is it olay if i just flush with a hose and drain from the radiator before adding coolant?

yea its a good idea to crack the block drain open. A lot of deposits and what not can only escape from the block drain.


Another trick is to add a little heat. Take a propane torch and heat the engine block around the drain plug. The cast will expand a bit and help you break it free.

[firstE30]

would a grill lighter type torch be sufficient?

[roguetoaster]

Assuming you mean a glorified cigarette lighter, then no. If you don't want to get a proper propane torch you might try one of those Harbor Freight heat guns or even a mini torch that can be used for cooking applications.

[Dj Buttchug]

[roguetoaster]

Better yet: