2002 Ford Escape with 100K miles, V6(181 ci) auto trans, 4WD.
I was doing the recommended 100K fluid change and one of the changes is the radiator fluid. I drained the radiator itself as indicated and also took out the drain plug on the block. When I went to put the plug back on it wouldn't go in all the way so I take it out and there are little flakes of metal coming off each time I try to thread the plug into the block so I think that must be what's causing it not to go on all the way. Then I notice the female threads look a little ragged so I start looking around for a thread groove cleaner/reset tap to finish this up. Well, I go around town and the auto shops and the auto parts store folks are all saying there are no re-thread taps that'll fit this big of a plug (it took a 9/16 Allen wrench to get it off). So I take the advice of one of the mechanics and a friend and JB Weld the sucker where it stands because every time I try to re-insert the bolt it gets stuck and won't seal properly, so I am now just assuming the female threads are screwed up. I let the JB set for about 16hrs and notice I missed a spot so I put another coat on and that set another 16hr.
Worked fine for about 2wks and now that it's been about 98, 99 degrees (110 with heat index) outside it's been leaking a little. The leaking occurs after a day of driving (60-100mi depending) and allowing it to sit overnight (about 12-14 hrs). I'm thinking of putting another coat of JB on because I've noticed a small pin-hole opening that I'm betting the fluids coming out of but since it's such a hard area to access and it's uphill so-to-speak it's hard to get the JB to stay up there and set.
I need some advice on what to do to get the leak to stop. I'm never taking this bolt out again so once it's on it's staying there. Is there a re-thread tap that will fit? Will the JB Weld hold?
I was doing the recommended 100K fluid change and one of the changes is the radiator fluid. I drained the radiator itself as indicated and also took out the drain plug on the block. When I went to put the plug back on it wouldn't go in all the way so I take it out and there are little flakes of metal coming off each time I try to thread the plug into the block so I think that must be what's causing it not to go on all the way. Then I notice the female threads look a little ragged so I start looking around for a thread groove cleaner/reset tap to finish this up. Well, I go around town and the auto shops and the auto parts store folks are all saying there are no re-thread taps that'll fit this big of a plug (it took a 9/16 Allen wrench to get it off). So I take the advice of one of the mechanics and a friend and JB Weld the sucker where it stands because every time I try to re-insert the bolt it gets stuck and won't seal properly, so I am now just assuming the female threads are screwed up. I let the JB set for about 16hrs and notice I missed a spot so I put another coat on and that set another 16hr.
Worked fine for about 2wks and now that it's been about 98, 99 degrees (110 with heat index) outside it's been leaking a little. The leaking occurs after a day of driving (60-100mi depending) and allowing it to sit overnight (about 12-14 hrs). I'm thinking of putting another coat of JB on because I've noticed a small pin-hole opening that I'm betting the fluids coming out of but since it's such a hard area to access and it's uphill so-to-speak it's hard to get the JB to stay up there and set.
I need some advice on what to do to get the leak to stop. I'm never taking this bolt out again so once it's on it's staying there. Is there a re-thread tap that will fit? Will the JB Weld hold?
Aug 16, 2007 at 3:28 PM