Unable to remove radiator drain plug

[X5only]

I wanted to drain the coolant to change the thermostat but the radiator drain plug (it's blue in color) won't budge at all and I've ended up stripping it. How do I now remove it?

X5 4.4 2005

[X5only]

Folks, every job seems to have at least one thing that screws me up. This was supposed to be an easy job for me (to change the thermostat). I should have just removed the radiator hose to drain but I kept trying to remove the drain plug hoping it will give in. Unfortunately I just ended up stripping it's head.

My online search shows that an 1/8 inch Eazy-Out should do it. They are basically drills with a left hand thread, so when you tighten them, they back out the stuck plug/bolt. Radiator should be hot to help loosen the plug. Plan is to loosen it and let the radiator cool and remove the rest. I'm thinking I should try with needle nose pliers first and failing that, try out the Eazy-Out way.

[jcp240z]

The plug is plastic so it should not be to hard to drill out and remove. Note that it has a flaired head on it so that when you loosen it to drain it does not come out fully. It has a channel which allows coolant to drain out. Also, the plug drains SLOW!

[Ogopogo]

i just had the same problem you did while addressing my valley pan. I partially buggered it with a screwdriver, and decided to switch up to a socket. If memory serves, a 13mm worked just fine going out, and in.

Good Luck!

[X5only]

It started spinning right away with little effort and I was pleasantly surprised! Wow, so easy for a task that seemed daunting. $3 for the extractor and $7 for the T-tool (3 different sizes) from harbor freight.

[jcp240z]

Odd. Your plug is different then mine. Mine had a short tail with bulb on the end. This allowed it to drop but not come out completely.