# Radiator drain cock

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-drain-cock/76855>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [January 22, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-drain-cock/76855 "2013-01-22T18:10:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![damienspal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@damienspal](https://community.cartalk.com/u/damienspal)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-drain-cock/76855/1 "2013-01-22T18:10:01Z")

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The above part on my 1988 Chevy Silverado broke off. I bought a replacement and it was easily installed. This is a plastic part. It seems, however, to loosen itself when the car sits overnight. When I tighten it before taking the vehicle out (while it’s warming up) it holds well. When I don’t, it seems to loosen up and begins to leak. Is there any way to ensure that I don’t have to check this every time I take the truck out?

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**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-drain-cock/76855/2 "2013-01-22T18:27:02Z")

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Try some “Lock Tight” or better still, a sealer that will give you a soft hold. You don’t want to over tighten and strip the threads, but the threads obviously need help.

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-drain-cock/76855/3 "2013-01-22T20:05:38Z")

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Agree. Loctite makes a variety of products that are designed specifically for a situation such as yours.

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**Author:** ![damienspal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@damienspal](https://community.cartalk.com/u/damienspal)\
**Post date:** [January 22, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-drain-cock/76855/4 "2013-01-22T21:46:56Z")

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will I have to drain the system in order to use Loctite? This part comes with a housing that would be very difficult to remove and the threaded piece itself clicks in before you tighten it. Can this be applied without removing the entire part?  
thanks.