Stuck (blanking plug) on new radiator (Ed.)

[Louis.]

So I bought a new flomasta radiator and all other 3 caps came out fine. The last one started turning and then just stopped.

I've tried smashing a screwdriver in and turning it but the inner has just broken away. Tried with a socket over a spanner and this has just rounded it further.

Any tips? Mole grips and heat gun?

 

[Louis.]

Well mole grips made it worse. Surely they aren't meant to be this tight?

 

[CBW]

Well mole grips made it worse. Surely they aren't meant to be this tight?

Nope, usually just come out with a little persuasion like a large flat blade screwdriver. If it won’t come out, send it back.

 

[Louis.]

Nope, usually just come out with a little persuasion like a large flat blade screwdriver. If it won’t come out, send it back.

I'll hammer a screwdriver through it tomorrow and see if it'll budge. All other 3 came out fine.

 

[Exedon]

I have a old 1/2 in wood chisel I use for the odd stuck one,
Just get stuck in with the powder coating.

 

[Louis.]

I imagine I won't do any damage to the threads? I've tried tightening and got it moving but no luck anticlockwise.

Socket slips now though

 

[Exedon]

Just whack a large flat screwdriver or similar so it's tight then use a pair of grips or similar to turn it.
You would have to be very clumsy to damage threads.

 

[Madrab]

Well mole grips made it worse. Surely they aren't meant to be this tight?

If you mean vice grips then you should be able to tighten the grips on tight enough where they just won't come off, don't worry about the plastic cap. Once the grips are on that tight then it should come out and if it doesn't then it aint coming out and it needs to be returned. It is only plastic though after all.

 

[Louis.]

I hammered a screwdriver in, and use a spanner on that managed to unscrew it. Threads seem fine.

If you mean vice grips then you should be able to tighten the grips on tight enough where they just won't come off, don't worry about the plastic cap. Once the grips are on that tight then it should come out and if it doesn't then it aint coming out and it needs to be returned. It is only plastic though after all.

Vice grips were on tight but the plastic just crumbled underneath. Unfortunately there wasn't much to grip onto! All sorted now, appreciate the help.

I'm used to this on cars, not new radiators