Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Deuce on 27 June 2012, 19:20:06

Title: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Deuce on 27 June 2012, 19:20:06
I have the common fault of a leaking radiator drain tap.

I have fixed it by filling a rubber lid thing (injector tip cover) with silicone and pushed it over the pipe. But want to replace the tap anyway.

I got one from my VX dealer today. It's black though. When I mentioned that mine is red, the chap said it's now upgraded.

I thought I would ask here first before removing the old one and finding the new one is incorrect.

Comparing to other pictures on this site, this black one seems to have an extra moulding between the thread and first rubber ring.

What do you guys think?

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7455862002_ab81a43862_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Deuce on 27 June 2012, 19:23:00
Here's one from elsewhere on the site.

(http://i42.tinypic.com/10pyt6p.jpg)
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Abiton on 27 June 2012, 19:52:34
I have a suspicion that Vx have dropped a dangly-thing here.  One, or a couple, of recent threads have mentioned this supercession and found that the black one leaks worse than what it replaced.  If you look at old and new side by side (which I haven't done, but judging by pics that have been posted) the two o-rings seem different distances apart.

If you can measure things up, and there is a mismatch, please let member andyc know by PM or phone. He's a Vx parts man, and should be able to let the powers that be know.  :y

If you don't want to take it back, you could try just moving the new o-rings onto the old plastic bit and see if it sorts it.  Another member succeeded this way.
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: tunnie on 27 June 2012, 19:56:58
Got black rad tap on the 3.2, red on the 2.2. Both leak free  :)
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Deuce on 27 June 2012, 19:59:08
That sounds like a plan!! Swap the O rings.

When I take the red one out, I'll compare and measure and let Andyc know.


tunnie> I'll try it fitted and see what happens.
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Abiton on 27 June 2012, 20:04:19
This is the most recent other thread:
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=101291.msg1268683#msg1268683
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Deuce on 27 June 2012, 20:21:25
Cheers Abiton, I missed that thread in my search.
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Abiton on 27 June 2012, 20:25:54
No probs, shame the picture isn't working any more, the difference seemed clearer in that one.

Please do measure and report back though, if tunnie's had success with the black one, it's not as cut-and-dried as I thought.

Edit: black one in your packet is missing the washer at the tap end of things, I wonder if that needs to be moved over from the old one for everything to sit in the right position?   Over to you fella.  :y
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Deuce on 27 June 2012, 20:35:41
I'll keep you updated.

Thanks again
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Radar on 27 June 2012, 20:57:56
A few years ago when doing a coolant flush on my 2.2 i replaced the red type with the black type and had no probs.
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: HockeyDave55 on 27 June 2012, 23:03:46
Yeah, I had this same problem, I didn't bother going back to VX... just swapped the o-rings from the new (black) part to old red one....
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: HockeyDave55 on 27 June 2012, 23:05:39
P.s. Sorry about the missing pic' I reorganised my Photobucket... :-/
Title: Re: Radiator drain tap question
Post by: Deuce on 01 July 2012, 14:11:56
Jut to let you know, it might be a while before I can update on this.

The repair I did with a silicone filled cap fitted over the drain pipe has worked so well that I'll be waiting until I need to change the coolant when I service the Mig.