Radiator air bleed screw

[valimar]

Hi all,
The top of the bleed screw sheared off and I end with the round top on my hands...
I tried to unscrew the rest of it but seems to be very difficult to get it out. Being from plastic and with limited access I´m afraid to damage the whole plug.
Is anyone with experience is this matter willing to give me some tips?
Thanks in advance,
Rodrigo

[dapinky]

Rodrigo,

Many years ago I had this problem - the bottom part of the plastic plug remained in the radiator when the top broke off.

I was able to get a grip of the broken part using some long-nose pliers (but tweezers would also work). You need to lift it upwards and turn it at the same time until the thread starts to catch in the threaded hole, then it will simply unscrew outwards.

I replaced the plug with an M12 x 1.5 bolt with a rubber washer on it.

As a temporary fix, it is the same thread as a wheel bolt.

[John_W]

Valimar,
I had this problem ten years ago as described in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=134&t=13354

Be aware that there are two different types of bleed screw, depending on the age of your car, which means that you have to remove them in different ways when they break. See the photos on the above thread.

I bought a new replacement from SJS but to get the car back on the road quickly I repaired my original with Araldite and a stainless steel self-tapping screw. Ten years later the temporary repair is still working OK - I bled the radiator last week after changing the coolant.

John

[valimar]

Thanks Dave and John,
In the meantime I manage to take out a small peace that was attached to the round top. Problem is that the lower part of it disappear inside of the hol now I don´t see
a way to "fish" it out! I hope it doesn´t afect the cooling... Tomorrow I´ll take a look.
Thanks for your tips anyway.
Rodrigo

[valimar]

Hi again,
Adapting the idea of Dapinky I bought a stainless-steel washer and bolt + a rubber washer and made a groove in it for bleeding the radiator and after 4 months using the car, I hope it will be more than a temporary fix. As attachment the first bolt, that was not so perfect changed, but good enough to illustrate the idea!
Cheers