Thanks to TomC, DStevens, and Lee H for their suggestions on removing the stuck
radiator bleeder nipple.  I removed the radiator today, wrapped a wet towel
around the surrounding area, heated with a propane torch, took a good bite with
the vice grips and bingo!  I plan to get a new one at my FLAPS tomorrow.
 Should I be asking for a metric bleeder?

Thanks guys,

Maynard
'82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"
'93 EV GL "Klinger"

On Friday, September 03, 1999 8:35 AM, Southard [SMTP:southard@gis.net] wrote:
> I'm planning to pull Reinhardt's radiator for a good cleanup.  The bleeder
> nipple on the top has been frozen for a while.  This is the diesel radiator.
>  The bleeder looks a lot like a brake bleeder nipple.  It is not a screw with
>  a washer, as I believe the gas radiators have.  There's a good picture of it
> on Bentley, page 19.6, Fig. 2.  Since it has been stuck, I've simply loosened
>  the radiator hose clamp just below it in the past to bleed (again, I think
this
> location is specific to the diesel vanagon.)
>
> Before I take a pair of vicegrips and risk destroying it, I have a few
> questions.
>
> Any suggestions for how to remove this nipple without destroying it?  Will it
> possibly break off and then I have a bigger problem?  Should I ask the guys
at
> the radiator shop to deal with it?  Will they screw it up worse than I?
> Is there a source for replacement bleeders or a better alternative?