Location of radiator drain tap?

[backeis]

Need to take out radiator in order to get to all the bolts on the Behr comoressor (which is coming out). Understand I should drain the radiator first as opposed to just disconnecting the hoses right away.

 

I read in the Haynes that there should be a drain tap somewhere (presumably at the bottom). I can't find it though.

 

Where should I look?

 

And while we're at it, where's the one for the engine block? Just in case I feel like draining that too to check for buildup...

 

Thanks!

 

 

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[Son of Marty]

Many 02's don't have a radiator drain plug if you do it's on the bottom tank usually on the drivers side if it's not there use a clean oil drain pan and slowly pull off the lower hose and catch as much as you can, the block drain is on the passengers side under the exhaust mani between cyl 3 and 4 after you pull the plug you may need to poke a screw driver into the hole to break up the sediment that builds up behind the plug.

[ray_]

Well the engine block one is a bit under exhaust port  3 or thereabouts. 

 

If you are not finding a drain plug on your radiator, guess what? ?

 

Cheers,

[backeis]

Thanks! Will do the bottom hose.


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[backeis]

Any tricks on how to pull off a hose end that doesn't wanna budge? The bottom hose is pushed a good 2 inches over the bottom radiator outlet. Not wanting to move at all.


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[Whaledriver]

I had the same problem. Disconnect the hopst from the thermostat above and leave it on the radiator. You can get a better twisting action below the thermostat.

[Mike Self]

14 minutes ago, backeis said:

Any tricks on how to pull off a hose end that doesn't wanna budge?

Presume you've loosened the clamp and pulled it well beyond the bulge in the radiator nipple.  You have to be careful using brute force so that you don't pull the brass nipple loose from the lower radiator tank, so try this:  grab the hose--well beyond the end of the nipple--with a pair of arc-joint pliers and try carefully--and slowly--rotating the hose--like you were unscrewing it.  The rubber will wind up like a rubber band and hopefully exert enough torque on the bond between rubber and brass to make it let go.  

 

You might also carefully insert a lubricated L-shaped piece of metal (a bent coathanger piece or even a small allen wrench) between the end of the hose and the nipple and work it all the way around the joint.  That will loosen the bond for at least part of the contacting surfaces and make loosening the hose a little easier.  

 

If worst comes to worst, you may have to slit the hose to get it off.  When you reinstall the hose, lubricate the inside with some silicone grease so it'll come off easier the next time.

 

mike

[PaulTWinterton]

I've used a screwdriver on the edge to crack the seal, without wrecking the hose.   Usually I just wiggle it aggressively.  It eventually breaks free.  Gush!

 

I eventually modified my drain plug because I was tired of cleaning up coolant.  I hate that stuff. Next worst to transmission fluid for me.

 

Block drain under #4 exhaust port:

Edited August 12, 2018 by PaulTWinterton

[TobyB]

Here's another technique to get a rad hose off, especially if you can't get a twist on it:

 

push.

 

"What???" you say, "that's like pushing a rope??? Nice try, smokey guy!"  

 

Nope, get a wide screwdriver behind the lip of the hose, and don't pry, 

just pull.  Try it in several locations to break loose sections of the rubber.

 

When you pull on a hose, it contracts, like a finger trap.

When you push on it, it expands, and the point source of the

screwdriver helps break it loose, as well.

 

One more thing to try,

 

t

 

Edited August 13, 2018 by TobyB

[backeis]

Thanks all! Got it off below the thermostat after all. Was a bit messier, but worked fine. Thinking about creating a drain tap with a little hose, @PaulTWinterton style :)

[halboyles]

Get yourself something like this for future hose pulling.  Less than $5 at Home Depot, etc. and always works like a charm.  You only really need the bottom one for most '02 hoses.

[jimk]

16 hours ago, PaulTWinterton said:

I eventually modified my drain plug because I was tired of cleaning up coolant.

If you saved your straight threaded drain plug, there have been people on here that were ready to give their right arm for the plug, because it's brass and a straight thread (as opposed the the tapered pipe thread that is on that petcock)

Edited August 13, 2018 by jimk

[PaulTWinterton]

44 minutes ago, jimk said:

If you saved your straight threaded drain plug, there have been people on here that were ready to give their right arm for the plug, because it's brass and a straight thread (as opposed the the tapered pipe thread that is on that petcock)

 

Sold!  One! Hundred! Bucks!

 

Seriously, I didn't know that. Thanks.   I was blinded by the fact of the coolant jetting out of the radiator toward the oilpan and soaking everything in its path.   Or cracking the lower hose with the same effect.  It seems I drain my rad at least once a year for various reasons and no matter the preparations...I was always cleaning up coolant.  Not so much anymore.

[backeis]

Finished draining (engine included) and refilling the system. Quick question: is 5 quarts enough, or do I need put in more than that?

 

Quite a bit splashed around my catch pan when I drained it, so I can't go by that amount...

Edited August 16, 2018 by backeis