Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: MarkG on 06 September 2008, 22:04:07

Title: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: MarkG on 06 September 2008, 22:04:07
Is the red tap supposed to screw right out of the bottom of the radiator? I changed my coolant today and could loosen the red plug to drain OK, but not pull it right out. Now it is tightened back up again, I have a slight leak from it. So I was thinking I need a new one
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: hotel21 on 06 September 2008, 22:11:37
It does not come out completely, or should not.  It comes off the thread but does not come off the mount, if that makes sense.

It should nip up OK but would suggest that you do not overtighten as once the threads strip, could be a new radiator repar, despite the red bit being softer than the radiator itself....
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: Andy B on 06 September 2008, 22:17:24
Quote
Is the red tap supposed to screw right out of the bottom of the radiator? I changed my coolant today and could loosen the red plug to drain OK, but not pull it right out. Now it is tightened back up again, I have a slight leak from it. So I was thinking I need a new one

Tightening the red tap doesn't make the seal. There are 2 'O' rings on the tap that make the seal so you're only tightening it up enough to prevent it from vibrating out of the rad.
You could try removing it again & checking you've not damaged an 'O' ring.
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: MarkG on 06 September 2008, 22:18:34
Is it supposed to have a rubber O ring?
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: stuthespread on 06 September 2008, 22:18:37
why not try a bit of ptfe tape on the thread,works a treat on most of my plumbing jobs.
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: Andy B on 06 September 2008, 22:26:55
Quote
Is it supposed to have a rubber O ring?

As above .... it has 2
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: Andy B on 06 September 2008, 22:27:31
Quote
why not try a bit of ptfe tape on the thread,works a treat on most of my plumbing jobs.

 ..... it doesn't seal on the thread! ;)
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: stuthespread on 06 September 2008, 22:29:29
if the threads been stripped it'll work a treat.
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: Andy B on 06 September 2008, 22:31:56
Quote
if the threads been stripped it'll work a treat.

Yes! It'll help restore the thread, but as for sealing the water/coolant, it shouldn't get as far as the thread. :y
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: Andy B on 06 September 2008, 22:33:07
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k17/Tiff4327/S73F0284.jpg?t=1220736742)

I knew I had one somewhere.  ;)
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: MarkG on 07 September 2008, 10:58:00
Ahhh. So it should come out so I can chnage the seal sif I can just  squeeze the two end prongs?
Title: Re: Red Tap on Radiator Drain
Post by: JasonH on 07 September 2008, 15:28:59
I think it's only a couple of quid for a new tap with the o-rings.

Just need to tug the old one out.