Radiator drain plug

[ramjet]

As best as I can tell, it is 11mm. I can get a socket, extension etc, on it quite nicely. What it doesn't want to do is come undone. I have put some pretty serious force on it, but don't seem to be getting anywhere.

Has anyone else tackled this and then given up and drained everything through undoing a radiator hose?

Ta.

[DanR]

Yep.

[ramjet]

And it's all brass as well. It's a bugger. I am going to get the radiator recored so will look at freeing it up once it is out.

Thanks Danny.

[CarBuff]

On our '88 the mis-aligned "access hole"  (note the quotes) in the rad surround prevents a socket from working...so I've always just disconnected a hose.

 

Makes quite the mess! 

[molemot]

I pull the otter switch out....that drains the cooling system adequately and it's easy, too....

[ramjet]

I'll give that a look to John. Thanks.

[sailorbob]

No Otter switch on the S4, the radiator fans are controlled by the ecu.

Edited October 27, 2015 by sailorbob

[jonwat]

No Otter switch on the S4, the radiator fans are controlled by the ecu.

I was wondering why it's been posted in the Giugiaro forum. 

[ramjet]

I fixed that. Thanks John. I must have been tired.

Back to loosening a hose it is then.

[ramjet]

I will have to get the car up in the air to drop the core out the bottom and get it out. What height do I need between the bottom of the car and the ground to make it comfortable?

Thanks.

[Bibs]

On a ramp or stands? As high as possible is the answer but remember if it's on stands at the front only you'll struggle to drain the system unless you lower the car back down once the drain plug is out and raise the rear instead.

[Chillidoggy]

Coolant radiator drain plug on my car has a 10mm hex head.

I know this because I have just taken it out, and suffered the Lotus Esprit version Niagara Falls, but with coolant. Of course the plug disappeared, I eventually found it in the drain container.

[ramjet]

Sorry, been at work and knackered at night. I was thinking stands Bibs as getting the front of the car onto ramps seems a tad difficult with the measurements I have taken of the car and the stands I can get access to in the shops.

Interesting you say 10mm Ian. 10 would not fit on mine. I thought 11 was odd as well. I will try a 10 again though just to make sure.

Got to get rid of the motorbike first to make room in the garage

[Chillidoggy]

Maybe your plug is a bit burred around the hex?

Mine was definitely 10mm, but who knows, maybe Lotus used other sizes? I tried imperial sockets, but nothing else was close.