Hello all, I want to flush out the radiator on the 1.0 Focus ecoboost and am having some difficulty. At first I could only turn drain plug a quarter turn but after some expletives and using some penetrating fluid I was able to get it to turn anti-clockwise almost three quarters of a turn.

Problem is, I'm getting no more than a few drips of coolant coming out. To my surprise, I found on ebay that you can buy replacement plugs (part no. 1433348) - which of course must mean that the existing one can be removed.

Has any club member done this before?  The same plug is used on many models, not just the Focus. I've tried to move the plug around to various angles but as yet I can't pull it out. Maybe I'm being too careful?

The drain plug only turns three quarters of a rotation anti-clockwise and then it 'Pulls' out. It is designed as a quick release fitting that can't (or shouldn't) seize up.

3 hours ago, unofix said:

.... and then it 'Pulls' out.

At next available opportunity I'll pull harder. If it breaks unofix owes me a new plug 😉 

The o-ring has probably swollen.  You might have trouble getting it back in if you pull it out completely.

8 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

The o-ring has probably swollen.  You might have trouble getting it back in if you pull it out completely.

A distinct possibility. However, don't have lot of choice as at the max 3/4 turn I'm getting next to nothing out.

If I get a problem with the O Ring I'll try and source a new one to fit or bite the bullet and buy a new drain plug

Well I pulled out the drain plug ok so unofix can put his wallet away now. Cleared out all the muck I could (see pic) but there's very little access to poke about too much.

What did come out looks like K-Seal (incorrectly mentioned Radweld before). It was like a softish copper-coloured paste blocking the plug area. Put lots of clean water through and got a flow going, although not as much as I would have expected.

My plan will be to do a better flush out after getting everything rebuilt and running ok. Subject to that being successful (fingers crossed), I may end up replacing the radiator, noting the reason for putting the K-Seal in in the first place was because of a minor rad. leak.

Was expecting the new Ford head gasket today but DHL didn't turn up. They kindly emailed me a photo of a door they tried to enter - unfortunately it's not my door and not even in the same building! Royal Mail had no such problem with some other parts.