325i block coolant drain bolt snapped

[Ian325i]

Whilst doing a coolant change today the drain plug bolt on the cylinder block snapped.....anyone have a suggestion on how to remove the remaining threads,

[flybynite]

Whilst doing a coolant change today the drain plug bolt on the cylinder block snapped.....anyone have a suggestion on how to remove the remaining threads,

Biggest problem is going to be access, if the engine is still in. Manifold off at least I think

I have used these to good effect over the years, they do not spread the stud like normal extractors

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But I still think part of the effect is all the drilling and hammering. Localised heat and penetrating fluid helps.

Not easy or ideal but welding through the centre of a nut can work, again the heat of the weld can sometimes free it.

Otherwise it is the tried and tested way of drilling progressively bigger holes and tapping the thread out. Helps if you have one of these.

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Pig of a job either way but if it is not leaking you could always leave it, keep an eye on it, and add it to the list of jobs when the engine comes out next. Depends on how much is left in.

[Tzantushka]

Pig of a job either way but if it is not leaking you could always leave it, keep an eye on it, and add it to the list of jobs when the engine comes out next.
Depends on how much is left in.

That's what I was thinking.
If you don't need to REALLY take it out - don't.

With the thermostat out and hoses disconnected you can flush out the block pretty good.

[BristolE30]

Pig of a job either way but if it is not leaking you could always leave it, keep an eye on it, and add it to the list of jobs when the engine comes out next.
Depends on how much is left in.

That's what I was thinking.
If you don't need to REALLY take it out - don't.

With the thermostat out and hoses disconnected you can flush out the block pretty good.

Yea when I did a coolant change last I decided to skip the plug and just flush the block via the lower heater core stub pipe

Worked a treat and saved me a bloody knuckle. Think many on here would attest to similar