Thanks to TomC, DStevens, and Lee H for their suggestions on removing the stuck radiator bleeder nipple. I removed the radiator today, wrapped a wet towel around the surrounding area, heated with a propane torch, took a good bite with the vice grips and bingo! I plan to get a new one at my FLAPS tomorrow. Should I be asking for a metric bleeder? Thanks guys, Maynard '82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt" '93 EV GL "Klinger"
On Friday, September 03, 1999 8:35 AM, Southard [SMTP:southard@gis.net] wrote: > I'm planning to pull Reinhardt's radiator for a good cleanup. The bleeder > nipple on the top has been frozen for a while. This is the diesel radiator. > The bleeder looks a lot like a brake bleeder nipple. It is not a screw with > a washer, as I believe the gas radiators have. There's a good picture of it > on Bentley, page 19.6, Fig. 2. Since it has been stuck, I've simply loosened > the radiator hose clamp just below it in the past to bleed (again, I think this > location is specific to the diesel vanagon.) > > Before I take a pair of vicegrips and risk destroying it, I have a few > questions. > > Any suggestions for how to remove this nipple without destroying it? Will it > possibly break off and then I have a bigger problem? Should I ask the guys at > the radiator shop to deal with it? Will they screw it up worse than I? > Is there a source for replacement bleeders or a better alternative? |
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