coolant relpacement

[Jim HaskinsJ]

OK will somebody please tell me how to drain the radiator!

THE PETCOCK ON THE LOWER LEFT IS INOPERTIVE WHEN TURNED 1/4 TURN AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL BREAK IF FORCED FURTHER. THANKS

 

[RColston]

Jim,



A freind of mine and fellow TDR member just told me the other day that you pull out on the drain plug, if I recall correctly, as you turn it. Said it is fairly controllable and drains without having a bunch of things in the way causing the coolant to run all over the place. HTH ( hope this helps)

 

[Jim HaskinsJ]

THANKS A LOT I WAS WNDERING IF THAT IS HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK ,BUT A LITTLE RELUCTANT TO TYR . JIM

 

[Jim HaskinsJ]

I TRYED PULLING AND TURNING . IT WONT MOVE OUT NO WAY NO HOW. ANY OTHER IDIAS? THANKS JIM H.

 

[paccool]

Jim,



When all else fails, try pulling the lower hose where it comes out of the radiator. Put a bucket under it to catch the stuff cause it will come out fast. Get the pets away from the area first in case some spills, it can kill em.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I couldn't get my '97 to drain either. I siphoned it out of the radiator.



DON'T suck on the hose to start the siphon!!! Antifreeze(ethylene glycol) will lock down your kidneys!!!



Lower a piece of hose in the radiator to the bottom and put your finger over the end. Slowly pull the hose out keeping your finger tight on the end and curve the hose down. Once the end of the hose is below the coolant level in the radiator release your finger on the hose and the siphon will begin. You must keep the end of the hose below the coolant level in the radiator for the siphon to continue. Use a catch bucket and like posted above keep the pets away if you spill some.



Bill

 

[Jim HaskinsJ]

well i did the deed. the syphon trick works!

after syphoning out the anti-freeze, then diluting it and bringing the temp. up four times and syphoning four more times it appeared clean enough to put in the flush stuff. after five more times up to temp. and draining, i put in the nine doller a gallon pre-mixed antifreeze. and it would only take 3 1/2 gallons. something is wrong with this picture, it is no way to spend a sunday afternoon. it woud be a lot easier if the radiator drain cock was functional. i still dont know if the problem with the valve is me or my truck or all 97s. thanks to those offering help. Jim H.

 

[Howard Durand]

Jim,



FWIW I have drained mine twice now. The "petcock" is not easy to move but it can be done.

Grab the tag on the plug with a pair of pliers or vise grips and twist and pull until it pops out part way. Then turn it until fluid flows out. It is just a plastic plug with "O" rings.

If I am not mistaken, it can be pulled out completely.

 

[Extreme1]

In order to get out all the old antifreeze, you must either use the drain (HD is right on) or siphon. Make sure you get it all if you sighon! The lower hose thing isn't a complete drain because the hose outlet is a few inches above the bottom!

 

[Happy Camper]

Caution. There was a post on this subject a couple of months back where the gentlemen had that very same problem except he finaly broke the drain valve. It is plastic and on my 97 it took a number of times twisting and pulling until it poped out enough to drain. A pair of pliers used carefuly will do the trick.

 

[DieselB59]

Mine was hard to turn out and leaked once turned in. O-ring failed. Ordered a new one from the dealer. No problems now.