Txakura Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Any one know off hand what size the block coolant drain plug is on a 1990 E82, 1.8L? I'd like to minimize my trips to the parts store when I install a coolant heater. (I only have the one car, so I need to be as efficient as possible + I'll be laying in the snow to do the install) :-\ I mean the drain plug to the left of the oil filter as your looking at it underneath from the front, it appears to be 14 or 16 mm bolt head... TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 1.25 pitch, don't know the diameter. just remove it in the parking lot!!!!! call subaru or the parts store might even know/have listings? i'd think the block heater folks would want to know to make selling these things easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 search is your friend, plug info is in here: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=93931&highlight=block+heater Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txakura Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 search is your friend, plug info is in here: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=93931&highlight=block+heater not quite. I was following that other thread, what they are talking about is the removable plug for an internal block heater that threads into the engine. What I have is a 1000w external recirculating coolant heater that is 'universal' - mening it doesn't really fit anything, ha ha. The directions that came with it would seem to prefer drawing cold coolant from the block drain and returning it by the heater hose return line. It came with mounting hardware, hose clamps and a 't' for the heater line. It even had a drain fitting, but the fitting is SAE and would work great on my jeep or f-250... I'll probably end up doing it the hard way, but i thought there was a pretty good chance someone here would know. Chilton's and Clymer's, of course are worthless for this, and 1st Subaru's on line stuff doesnt go into detail for this. I'll probably make a reasonable guess and buy 3 or 4 different sizes and take back the ones I don't need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomRhere Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 I can't say what the diameter is either, but do know it's a straight thread vs a tapered thread. Now with that said, look at various 37* flare hydraulic tube fittings, those are straight thread where the the flare nut screws on, tapered thread on the other end. You may find one that fits the thread of the drain hole. If the plug will screw into the flare nut, you have the part you need. Install an o-ring around the base of the hydraulic fitting where the flare nut threads onto, run the fitting into the threads in the heads drain port. Now you can use whatever thread adapter you need to hook your heater stuff up. (You can also use teflon thread sealant on the threads to insure a good seal, tape or paste your choice there.) I've used that trick many times in the past adapting various hydraulic system components onto machinery where we didn't have the correct needed fitting on hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txakura Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 Tom that is some pretty good stuff, out-frreaking-standing. I think I'm going to like this bbs quite a bit, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 not quite. I was following that other thread, what they are talking about is the removable plug for an internal block heater that threads into the engine. i guess i'm confused. i thought a block coolant drain plug was a block coolant drain plug? they talk about the size of the block coolant drain plug in that thread which is what you asked: Any one know off hand what size the block coolant drain plug is on a 1990 E82, 1.8L? i've done similar stuff to Thom's suggestions above on EGR fittings and such. hardware stores FTW. good luck heater 'er up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooziewhatsit Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 i guess i'm confused. i thought a block coolant drain plug was a block coolant drain plug? they talk about the size of the block coolant drain plug in that thread which is what you asked: IIRC, there are two drain plugs under each head. One BIG one (~2") with the 14mm hex socket, and another 14mm bolt. It sounds like he's trying to tap into the latter one. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txakura Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 IIRC, there are two drain plugs under each head. One BIG one (~2") with the 14mm hex socket, and another 14mm bolt. It sounds like he's trying to tap into the latter one. -Dave Correct, the smaller one seems more conducive to finding an elbow fitting to route the hose tightly and safely, the really ginormous plug seems like it actually receives some kind of heating element that threads in, some oem deal if I understand the other post correctly, and trying to deduce what the function of something I've never seen before is... ha ha anybody know which heater hose goes to the core, which back to the engine? (direction of flow is relevant, the heater has a check ball to promote proper flow) thanks gang, btw, the irony is that the weather has been too crappy to install this yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 according to the FSM (Factory Service Manual) The line on the driver's side if the heater core output (flows back to the H20 pump) The pass side goes into the core BTW there is no valve in this system - the heat is controlled via a "blend door" in the HVAC housing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txakura Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 according to the FSM (Factory Service Manual)The line on the driver's side if the heater core output (flows back to the H20 pump) The pass side goes into the core BTW there is no valve in this system - the heat is controlled via a "blend door" in the HVAC housing. thanks, valve? are you referring to my check ball comment? the check ball is in the aftermarket recirculating coolant heater - not the subaru appreciate the direction of flow, now I am ready to install Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 sorry to confuse you By no "valve" I meant a valve for controlling coolant flow through the heater core. Some cars use this as a way to control the temperature of the air output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txakura Posted January 24, 2009 Author Share Posted January 24, 2009 ah... like my 60's cars had... vacuum diaphragm actuated valve on top of the manifold to allow/restrict coolant flow to the heater core - easy to tell when they went bad, they peed coolant on the manifold I came up with something funny for this, rather than screw around with that drain fitting and elaborate elbows etc... I'll post some pics when I get the chance - might even be useful for someone else Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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