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Title: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: mangocrazy on March 12, 2021, 06:46:16 PM As I was looking through the Haynes manual for guidance (always a dangerous thing, I know) I noticed a reference to the cylinder block drain plug. It's located in the centre of the block, at the back of the engine, below the core plugs. I established through trial and error that the hread pitch into which the plug screws is M10 x 1.0. Are these plugs generally available or is it simply a case of finding a suitable sized bolt to plug the hole?
Title: Re: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: WestonE on March 13, 2021, 03:27:23 PM Hi Graham
Find a used one, wire brush it and get it plated. I think they are a tapered thread to promote the seal so not as simple as swapping in a bolt in a rare metric fine pitch! Eric Title: Re: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: mangocrazy on March 13, 2021, 05:22:29 PM Cheers Eric, using a taper thread fits with what I observed, as there doesn't seem to be any flat surface that a crush washer could seat to. Plating and PTFE tape, I think.
It's also in a particularly inaccessible location when in the car. What fun... Title: Re: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: WestonE on March 13, 2021, 06:29:14 PM Hi Graham
I small amount of copper slip NO PTFE tape. Eric Title: Re: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: mangocrazy on March 13, 2021, 07:10:31 PM Hi Eric,
Thanks for that word of warning. In that case I assume seizure is more of a problem than leakage... Graham Title: Re: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: WestonE on March 14, 2021, 09:25:49 AM Hi Graham
Yes Title: Re: Cylinder block coolant drain plug. Post by: mangocrazy on March 15, 2021, 12:46:49 PM I believe I may have found an inexpensive component that would perform this particular job at least as well as the no longer available Fiat/Lancia part. It's from a UK company called Automotion Components and the part is a hexagon socket blanking plug with tapered thread. The part is available in a variety of materials; steel (self colour and zinc plated), stainless steel (A2 and A4) and brass. My preference would be for the A4 stainless (316 marine grade) due to its superior corrosion resistance propertirs.
These are available for the princely sum of 85 pence each in Metric fine (M10 x 1.0) thread pitch. There is a small order charge (£3.50) for orders under £30, but their product range is so large that I'm sure I can find other parts that I need (want) to make up the order to the required amount. This is a screenshot of the catalogue page for the part I'm referring to, and here is the link to their mechanical components catalogue: https://www.automotioncomponents.co.uk/media/files/catalogue/Mechanical_Components_Handbook_2018.pdf (https://www.automotioncomponents.co.uk/media/files/catalogue/Mechanical_Components_Handbook_2018.pdf) |