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radiator petcock (plastic screw!) stuck 1/2 way in #1400719 10/03/05 12:18 AM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 26 USA D dharnie OP New CEG\'er
OP dharnie New CEG\'er D Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 26 USA	Any ideas? I have a stuck petcock. The thing is a PLASTIC screw! What happened to the good old reliable metal ones with the wing nuts? They worked for 50 years. Now some design nerd reinvents the wheel?! Any ideas for repair? It leaks little drops - not major but it leaks! Water proof goop? Replacement part? Help!

Re: radiator petcock (plastic screw!) stuck 1/2 way in #1400720 10/03/05 01:24 AM
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 65 suburban MD P pangloss_dup1 CEG\'er
pangloss_dup1 CEG\'er P Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 65 suburban MD	If it's stuck because the screw slot is chewed up like mine, you could try turning it in the rest of the way with vise grips or pliers, grabbing it around the outside. Or better yet turn it out and get a new one - although the Ford dealer told me they didn't sell them, Autozone quoted me $4. and change for it. Good luck. '95 Contour GL, Zetec/ATX Repairs: * wheel bearings * sway bar stop * CV joint * alternator * shift interlock * heater tube * VSS * tensioner * ingition coil * wire harnesses * ball joint * Why do I still love it?

Re: radiator petcock (plastic screw!) stuck 1/2 way in #1400721 10/03/05 09:05 AM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 26 USA D dharnie OP New CEG\'er
OP dharnie New CEG\'er D Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 26 USA	appreciate advice - but it will not turn either way with pliers. I turn the head about 1/4 turn and shaft of screw won't budge - afraid it will bust off. Maybe needle nosed vise grips on the threads and try to back it out and get replacement from Autozone? Hope it is better design than original!

Re: radiator petcock (plastic screw!) stuck 1/2 way in #1400722 07/29/06 03:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 26 USA D dharnie OP New CEG\'er
OP dharnie New CEG\'er D Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 26 USA	I bought new petcock from Autozone. Then I bought and used narrow vise grips to unscrew it. Since I now had the new one I did not care if I busted the stuck one. Guess what! I was able to loosen it and tighten it all the way closed. I finished draining the coolant system by disconnecting bottom radiator hose. NEVER again will I touch that petcock!

Re: radiator petcock (plastic screw!) stuck 1/2 way in #1400723 07/29/06 06:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,165 Woodhaven, MI 9 99SVT_dup1 Hard-core CEG\'er
99SVT_dup1 Hard-core CEG\'er 9 Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,165 Woodhaven, MI	Originally posted by pangloss: If it's stuck because the screw slot is chewed up like mine, you could try turning it in the rest of the way with vise grips or pliers, grabbing it around the outside. Or better yet turn it out and get a new one - although the Ford dealer told me they didn't sell them, Autozone quoted me $4. and change for it. Good luck. I bought one from the ford dealership...about the same price as autozone.... I live in Detroit, I couldn't give a **** how good my car is in the "twisties." "I could use a hundred people who don't know there is such a word as impossible." ~Henry Ford

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