How long does a radiator drain valve last?

The cooling system of your car is one of the most important for the whole car. Without it, the engine will quickly overheat, causing devastating damage. Coolant circulates from the radiator, through the hoses, past the thermostat, ...

The cooling system of your car is one of the most important for the whole car. Without it, the engine will quickly overheat, causing devastating damage. Coolant circulates from the radiator through the hoses, past the thermostat, and around the engine. During the cycle, it absorbs heat and then transports it back to the heatsink where it is dissipated with the moving air.

The coolant is designed to absorb heat and also withstand freezing temperatures. This is what allows you to start your engine in the winter when regular water freezes. However, the coolant has a limited life and should be drained and refilled approximately every five years.

Obviously there must be a way to remove the old coolant from the system before you can add new coolant. This is what a radiator drain valve does. This is a small plastic plug located at the bottom of the radiator. It screws into the base of the radiator and allows the coolant to drain. After the old coolant flows out, the drain cock is replaced and new coolant is added.

The problem here is that the faucet is made of plastic, which is pretty easy to damage if you don't carefully screw it back in. Once the threads are stripped, the drain cock will no longer sit properly and coolant may leak out. If the threads are badly stripped, it is possible that the drain valve will completely fail and the coolant will flow out unhindered (especially when the engine is hot and the radiator is under pressure). Another potential problem is damage to the rubber seal at the end of the plug (this will cause coolant to leak).

There is no set lifespan for a radiator drain tap, but it definitely won't last forever. With proper care, it should last for the entire life of the radiator (8 to 10 years). However, it takes very little to damage it.

Because a damaged radiator drain valve is potentially very serious, you need to be aware of the signs of failure or damage. This includes:

• The thread on the drain cock is stripped (cleaned)
• Drain cock head damaged (making it difficult to remove)
• Plastic cracks from heat
• Coolant leak under the car's radiator (may also indicate a leak in the hose, from the radiator itself, and elsewhere).

Don't leave things to chance. If you suspect your radiator drain cock is damaged or there is a coolant leak, a certified mechanic can help inspect the radiator and drain cock and replace any necessary parts.