Is there a special socket tool for this GM radiator drain plug?

[kctyphoon]

What's that one on the left called? My computer screws are like that.

JIS vs Phillips I believe. Regardless, that exc bit will probably work fine and prevent the bit from slipping out.

 

[Wamsutta]

JIS vs Phillips I believe. Regardless, that exc bit will probably work fine and prevent the bit from slipping out.

The service manual for my computer says to use a #00 Phillips, but they don't sink far enough down into the head for my liking. I thought about trying a #000 Phillips, but they're shaped like the Red Cross sign.

 

[T45]

The service manual for my computer says to use a #00 Phillips, but they don't sink far enough down into the head for my liking. I thought about trying a #000 Phillips, but they're shaped like the Red Cross sign.

In this case, try a DIN type like a PB swiss or other european driver, or a modern JIS hybrid like megadora. I've had this issue before and that solved it. The above will have more of a flat-ish or cut off end. True usa/phillips drivers are sometimes a pita now and don't always fit...

The Frearson type is used alot, but mainly in marine applications. so my first guess for electronics if its an unknown type would be DIN/JIS phillips.

 

[6PTsocket]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frearson#Cross That double-slotted cross type is eithre a cross-sloted or a frearson, not a phillips or ecx

snap on makes some marine-plug screwdrivers that are large slotted types in 3/8 and 1/2 if those sizes correspond to your size...thicker than normal ones but not as thick as drag links. SO should work on double slotted head.

Home > hand tools > general hand tools > screwdrivers > special application > marine plug screwdriver >Medium Marine Plug Red Screwdriver

if its a frearson/reed& prince, they make drivers and bits for that, too....
More references

vs

http://www.instructables.com/id/When-a-Phillips-is-not-a-Phillips/

There is one problem here. Phillips, Frearson, Reed and Prince, are all pointy. The drain plug is two crossed flat slots. None of those cross slot blades will go very deep or grab much plastic. These quite common style drain plugs are made for a simple flat blade screw driver. The two slots just give you an extra slot if one gets chewed up or just for convenience like a 12 pt socket on a 6 pt bolt. There is no special tool and a cross blade will work if it is not too tight but for best grip the widest, thickest flat blade that fits the slot is the best bet.

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[WittHay]

There is one problem here. Phillips, Frearson, Reed and Prince, are all pointy. The drain plug is two crossed flat slots. None of those cross slot blades will go very deep or grab much plastic. These quite common style drain plugs are made for a simple flat blade screw driver. The two slots just give you an extra slot if one gets chewed up or just for convenience like a 12 pt socket on a 6 pt bolt. There is no special tool and a cross blade will work if it is not too tight but for best grip the widest, thickest flat blade that fits the slot is the best bet.

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That's why i suggested a screwdriver socket, you can put some pressure on the ratchet and hopefully it doesn't slip. I am assuming on a car rad there is not much working room for large screwdrivers

 

[6PTsocket]

Before you buy a $75 tool to take it off, get a new plug for $5.99 and plan ahead for a new radiaor for $175.
Zim

It is only a lousy plastic plug. If you have it on the bench and you can't get it out you should be taking the car in for service. If the slots were too torn up I would drill a bunch of holes along one of the cross slots, jam in a flat blade and unscrew it. That assumes it does not stick out enough to grab it with a pliers. In fact, after draining with the lower hose, if I had the room, I would try that on the car.

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[mbshop]

I have flushed hundreds of cooling systems. Most if not all were done on cold engines. Used a water and air tool.

When you are doing a coolant flush you have to warm it up enough for the thermostat to open. Otherwise remove the thermostat, but that in itself is more trouble than it's worth when they are located deep inside the engine bay.

 

[atikovi]

So how do you get the water to circulate with the thermostat closed?

 

[rhandwor]

http://www.etoolpros.com/
Search LT-720

 

[rhandwor]

http://www.etoolpros.com/ Search LT-720

 

[atikovi]

http://www.etoolpros.com/ Search LT-720

That's for wingnut style plugs.

 

[Ditch]

When you are doing a coolant flush you have to warm it up enough for the thermostat to open. Otherwise remove the thermostat, but that in itself is more trouble than it's worth when they are located deep inside the engine bay.

BS

The T-stat closes as soon as the cold water hits it anyway

 

[atikovi]

BS

The T-stat closes as soon as the cold water hits it anyway

That's why you have to warm it up again. Not sure how YOU flush the system, but I drain the radiator, fill with water using an Airlift tool, run the engine or drive the car a few miles until the thermostat opens and the fresh water circulates. Repeat 4 or 5 times until the water that drains out looks pure.

 

[Eslader]

I'd rather have a drain pan under the plug and have the hot coolant come out cleanly than pull a hose that is often in a difficult to access location and hot coolant all over my arms and shirt with half of it spilling on the ground.

Same here, but on the other hand, given the choice between mopping up some coolant and having to source a new radiator drain plug just because I wanted to change coolant... I'm going for the hose.

 

[T45]

There is one problem here. Phillips, Frearson, Reed and Prince, are all pointy.

Yep, and that's why there is a disctintion made between a double-cross (flat bottom) and a frearson (pointed tip). The marine plug driver will work on the former.. It has a flat bottom slotted shape but is hollow ground which makes it less likely to slip vs a keystone. It also has a short-shank so the tool will fit in places where a huge flat head driver wont.

 

[SantaAna12]

http://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/oLMAAOSwmgJY8VlT/s-l225.jpg

One of my old CMAN favorites (Western Forge that is).

 

[c39er]

Holy cow a bunch of wasted time on this.
A large flat blade. I've removed those plugs.
Simple...just get it done!

 

[rhandwor]

That's for wingnut style plugs.

Look close at picture it looks like this goes over the plug and long bar on inside works like a screwdriver. I think it fits a couple style of plugs.

 

[6PTsocket]

Look close at picture it looks like this goes over the plug and long bar on inside works like a screwdriver. I think it fits a couple style of plugs.

That is for butterfly petcocks there is no screwdriver blade in there. You are looking at shadows. If there was a blade it would be so deep in the socket that the socket would hit the bottom tank long before the blade grabbed the slot in the plug. I am starting to agree that this thread has had it. There is no magic tool, he just needs a BF flat blade screw driver.

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[rhandwor]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/162559388656/www.ebay.com/

 

[hangfirew8]

Big/old/ugly flat blade screwdriver, 2 minutes on the grinder, done.