03 Santa Fe - Radiator drain leak

Hi,

I noticed some coolant coming from the big red plastic screw at the
bottom of the radiator. Looks like the drain to me. I thought I would
try to tighten it a bit: I got a srewdriver, turned about a 1/4 turn
one way: got worst right away. Back to original position, then 1/4 turn
the other way: got worst. Does this drain has to be at a very specific
position, or is broken?

I did not dare turning more one way or the other, as I was not ready to
drain anything. I wonder if I can drive it to the dealer or if I should
have it towed...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

The radiator may have been damaged already (highly doubtful that the radiator
is bad after 3 years) or the little rubber gasket on the drain plug may be
damaged. The first thing I would do is get a replacement drain plug (and a
gallon on antifreeze) and quickly pull the old one out and put the new one in.
You'll need to add more antifreeze and purge the air out of the system if the
leak is fixed. If that doesn't fix it, then the radiator is damaged and will
most likely need to be replaced.

And by all means make sure the engine has been completely cooled before
attempting to do anything.

Nick

 

Thanks Nick.
I will try that...once I find a new plug. When I remove the current
plug, beside a lot of fluid, what should I expect: is the thread quite
long? This is the part that surprised me the most: it seems that the
leak is minimal when the plug is in a very specific position. As soon
as I turn it (and it's very easy, no resistance either direction) the
leak gets worst. The whole thing looks to me like one of those watch
battery cover, the kind you open with a dime by turning 1/4 of a turn!

Xoff

 

It's just a plastic screw with a rubber gasket (hopefully) on it. But,
trying to tighten may buy you more aggravation. As I'm sure you're well
aware, you're only going to access this drain through a small hole in the
subframe. I've broken a couple of these that were weak, so tightening
could get bad in a hurry. It may well be more beneficial to get a new one
for a few dollars along with that gallon of antifreeze and just service
your radiator and put the new plug in. And because it's so hard to get
to, there won't be any quick swap with minimal coolant loss. You won't be
able to do it, and if you try, there'll be lots of cursing.

 

Thanks for all the answers and tips.

As a follow up, I called the dealer as soon as it opened today and
brought the car in. As suspected, the plug was broken. I'm glad the
thing did not fall on my (short) way there! Everything was under
warranty, so it did not cost me a thing.

Thanks all
Xoff