Coolant Drain Taps

[Dino]

Hi, I need to replace the coolant in my twin Perkins Sabre M265Ti’s. There are three drain plugs that all have their issues with catching the old coolant. One drains straight down on the Starter Motor.
Is it possible to fit Coolant Drain Taps to these engines? It would make future coolant changes a lot simpler.

 

[ChromeDome]

I did it.

First to our cars' oil drain plugs, then fitted same type to drain & collect coolant from boat's engines




Once you know the thread you can go here:
EZ Oil Drain Valve- The Easiest Oil Change!

Edit: My purpose is to collect coolant and use it for winterizing engines via the sea water strainer.

 

[burgundyben]

@ChromeDone - very clean engine!

On my 265's I found the little BSP plugs in the HE's were brass and had dezinced and crumbled. Worth checking.

 

[Dino]

Thanks folks. Would you have any idea what size thread is on the plugs?

 

[burgundyben]

I think its 1/4" bsp.

 

[ChromeDome]

I think its 1/4" bsp.

If nothing else take one out and bring somewhere selling nuts. trial and error until you have a match.

I got mine from
Quick Valve UK - supplying Fumoto oil drain valves

 

[Greg2]

We have the same engines and I have a very good wet vac that I simply hold near to each of the plugs as I remove them. It sucks the water up as it comes out and makes an otherwise tricky job very easy.

My, perhaps unfounded, concern about fitting taps would be a failure whilst the engine is running resulting in loss of coolant and overheating.

 

[Dino]

That’s a great idea Greg, thanks for the tip. I’ll give that a go.
I also had concerns about fitting a valve in case it was accidentally opened and lost coolant.

 

[Greg2]

That’s a great idea Greg, thanks for the tip. I’ll give that a go.
I also had concerns about fitting a valve in case it was accidentally opened and lost coolant.

It is very powerful so it gets most of the coolant and any that goes into the bilge is easily sucked up!

 

[ChromeDome]

We have the same engines and I have a very good wet vac that I simply hold near to each of the plugs as I remove them. It sucks the water up as it comes out and makes an otherwise tricky job very easy.

My, perhaps unfounded, concern about fitting taps would be a failure whilst the engine is running resulting in loss of coolant and overheating.

After having them on 2 cars for 5 years (oil) and 2 boat engines for 12 years (coolant), I'm confident they won't leak.

On the cars, the biggest fear was if something hit them, but nothing ever happened.