Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Can't drain radiator

[EKlem]

I went to change my coolant and I can't get anything to come out of the drain at the bottom of the radiator. I turned the plug 1/4 turn and pulled it out maybe 1/4" but nothing is coming out. Do I need to pull harder on the plug? I am afraid that it may break if I do. Is it possible that my radiator is so full of junk that nothing will come out? Or am I doing something else wrong?



Any input would be appreciated.

 

[wcjp]

Could always pull the lower hose and drain to a 5gal bucket. Not sure what's going on with your drain. Had to replace the rubber gasket on the drain cock on my 96' because it wouldn't seal after closing.

 

[EKlem]

Could always pull the lower hose and drain to a 5gal bucket. Not sure what's going on with your drain. Had to replace the rubber gasket on the drain cock on my 96' because it wouldn't seal after closing.

I thought about pulling that lower hose. If I can't get the drain valve open when I go back out there, I may just pull that hose and try it that way.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Turn (counterclockwise as you are looking at the plug) and pull out the plug some more and it will drain. You can spray WD-40 into the recess between the plug and the bore to help free up the o-ring seal. I suggest removing the plug entirely afterwards, and applying silicone grease to the o-ring. Inspect the o-ring carefully and replace it with a new o-ring if it is abraded or torn. I have used an o-ring with 9/16” inside diameter, ¾” outside diameter, 3/32” thickness.

 

[EKlem]

Thanks for the responses. I will try to gently get the plug farther out. I had not realized that the plug can be removed completely. Thanks again.

 

[GrantP]

EKlem - Be careful. I had the same problem over the weekend. Quarter turn counter clockwise, pulled out approx 1/8" and nothing drained. Pulled a little harder and the tab broke off. I suspect my drain is clogged with sediment.

 

[24VChev]

I don't even mess with the drain plugs on rads anymore. I have a straight piece of 3/8 SS tube and stick it down to the bottom of the rad through the rad cap hole. I then hook up a small drill pump and pump out the fluid. You could syphon it too if you like the taste.



Malcolm

 

[K5IP]

I clamp on to mine with a vise grip and pull/rotate at the same time. Seems to work ok

Rog

 

[Extreme1]

Inspect the o-ring carefully and replace it with a new o-ring if it is abraded or torn. I have used an o-ring with 9/16” inside diameter, ¾” outside diameter, 3/32” thickness.

Thanks Joe! You saved me a search, mine started leaking after I drained it recently.

You could syphon it too if you like the taste.

Mmmmmm... . Anti-freeze... .



If you just pull the lower hose you will miss quite a bit of coolant, the hose isn't at the bottom of the tank.

 

[T-Bone]

EKlem,



Hope you got it going. I also discovered that they do come all the way out if you pull hard enough. I was not getting a flow and pulled a little harder on mine. Well, the thing came flying out and in a rush I stuck my finger in the hole. The leak pretty much stopped, but suddenly I felt a little warm sensation. Ok, a hot sensation. First mistake, well maybe the second - I was changing my upper radiator hose (see this post for why) while the radiator was hot. Well, I was desperately looking for the plug and could not find it. I must have looked pretty silly under the truck with my finger in the hole rolling around in pain. But I was determined to not let all of the antifreeze drain on the ground. I pulled a five gallon bucket over but when I let go the antifreeze went everywhere! So, I stuck my finger back in the hole. I managed to get some cardboard and make a “splash guard” to quell the flow and I let ‘er fly again! I did all this tied to the truck with one hand on fire. I finally found the plug at the back of the truck under the rear tire. Sure turned a 20 minute job into an adventure!



T-Bone

 

[JAmos]

After changing all the hoses and coolant, the drain wouldn't seal. It leaked out the center and the outlet. I'm not sure what size I used but had an o-ring kit and changed both the o-rings and its fine now.



Jordan