Bleed screw on radiator top hose - Series 2 TD5

Just a quick heads up that might save some grief,

Brass bleed plugs are available for the Td5 top hose, however, some have hexagon heads which invites the use of a spanner.
DO NOT EVER PUT A SPANNER ON A BLEED SCREW IN A TD5 TOP HOSE.
The thread insert in the hose is very delicate.
So delicate that it will fracture &/or pull out of the hose if much more than
hand tightening pressure is applied.
That is why the original spec plastic plug has a knurled outside diameter.
The screwdriver slot is only for removing it.

The plug should only be tightened as much as it takes to seal it.

Davy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Davy

Just a quick heads up that might save some grief,

Brass bleed plugs are available for the Td5 top hose, however, some have hexagon heads which invites the use of a spanner.
DO NOT EVER PUT A SPANNER ON A BLEED SCREW IN A TD5 TOP HOSE.
The thread insert in the hose is very delicate.
So delicate that it will fracture &/or pull out of the hose if much more than
hand tightening pressure is applied.
That is why the original spec plastic plug has a knurled outside diameter.
The screwdriver slot is only for removing it.

The plug should only be tightened as much as it takes to seal it.

Davy

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Good advice Davy, the one I have is from a failed insert problem. It just fell in when I unscrewed the bleeder!:o Hose was 9 years old anyway...:)

JC

I had one break on me a couple of years ago and got just the screw to replace. Cost about $ 5 but I didn't have to pay as the service garage had broken the screw.
Anyway, about 12 months later I had coolant leaking problems and over tightened the bleed screw . It broke, so I put in a metal screw that fitted, it ended up coming loose ,so I over tightened it and pulled the thread out of the hose.
Turned out the reason for the blead screw leaking was the early signs of head gasket failure.
And that another story.