Radiator drain tap stuck - am I being stupid?

[Ruairidh Dunford]

It is important to support the starting handle when you knock the cotter pin. Do not rely on the aluminium housing which can break very easily if the handle is unsupported. A bit of tube around the back of the pin held on a block or resting on a jack at the right height gives the support needed. I learned the hard way a long tome ago!

I second this advice, I have seen so many nose cones destroyed, because of the cotter being hit with a hammer.

Much better to use a cotter pin removal tool.

[JohnD]

You can also fit a ball valve from a plumbing merchant easy enough, for less money - they tend to not gum up the same and stick - tho they dont look correct, but you cant see them unless your under the car

[Ruby728]

Thank you everyone for the tips. I will try to reply to all properly later but I am at work at the moment.

Regarding the plumber's ball valve, that could be a good temporary measure as I'd like to fix it asap to get some use out of the car next week and get on with other jobs on it. Do you have a link to such a thing? I have searched, but I don't know how to determine the correct item.

[JohnD]

I believe thiese together would work, as a temporary stop, probably best with some PTFE tape aswell

https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-bsp-...-4-x/46798
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-hexa...-4-x/22149

How big is the drip? Often if its a small drip they do tend to take up with use, and when you go fiddling with things you make the problem alot worse!

[Ruby728]

That is what happened. It was a small but steady drip. Now I've opened it a little and it's dripping faster.

To be honest, that's no bad thing in a way because it is gradually draining itself, so it'll make a lot less mess when I remove the tap! I've got a big tray under it collecting the coolant.

Thank you for those links, I will have a look. I'll take the dripping valve off, see if it cleans up well, and replace temporarily with one of those if not.

[Ruby728]

Thanks for all the replies - I've just assessed the car in the cold light of day and I'm pretty happy about fixing it, especially after all these helpful replies and a very good talk through on the phone with Ruairidh.

This really is a great community!

[Steve kay]

Aye, a good talking to from Ruairidh, that should sort you out!

[Ruby728]

Well, thanks to all the encouragement I got on with it today, and it was a pleasure. I removed the radiator and took the tap off. As Ruairidh predicted, it was full of crud so I've flushed it all out.

Unfortunately the bottom hose split when coming off, so I can't use the car tomorrow like I hoped, but I've ordered a new one from Seven Workshop along with a sump gasket. I plan to change the oil in a couple of weeks so I'll replace the gasket and clean the sump out at the same time.

A very enjoyable afternoon working on the car in the sun with help from my excellent next door neighbour, chatting cars and having a great time. Exactly what I hoped for when I bought this car!

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I will have to refill the coolant of course, as soon as the hose arrives.

Am I right that this should be suitable?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203849291127?...media=COPY

[andrew34ruby]

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I will have to refill the coolant of course, as soon as the hose arrives.

Am I right that this should be suitable?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203849291127?...media=COPY

Yes this product is OK, except it is already mixed, so you are buying a lot of water. If you flush out with water, then drain but some water left in the engine, you end up with a weaker mix. 

Similar but concentrated overcomes this issue and you can mix to any ratio you want, but don't just pour in the water and concentrate separately or they might not mix and might not flow, leading to overheating.

[Jeff Taylor]

Anti-freeze available online from 'Motor Spirit' at Bicester Heritage. Their Classic Oils 2-Year Traditional Blue AntiFreeze is formulated for all classic, vintage and veteran cars and doesn't contain OAT inhibitors.

https://motorspirit.co.uk/product-catego...ti-freezes