Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) draining radiator, '96

[DrJC]

What's the trick to opening the radiator drain valve on the '96 truck? (I recall that it is not very intuitive. ) Help!



DrJC

 

[NIsaacs]

It is/can be a real pain and can be broken so just siphon the radiator. No mess!



Nick

 

[JLandry]

If it's anything like my 2001, you have to rotate the plastic valve knob counter clockwise about 180 degrees as you pull outward at the same time. I find this impossible to do without pliers... gently! This movement causes an o-ring inside the valve to move off of a seat which allows radiator fluid to trickle from the drain hose. If you rotate the knob counter clockwise without that outward motion, you'll shear off some plastic ears inside the valve. Thankfully replacement valve cocks are available from Dodge and possibly even you local auto parts store.



The bottom line is not to force it!



Good luck,



John L.

 

[DrJC]

Nick,



Truth be told, I almost laughed when I read your response. Fortunately, I reconsidered and began to see the beauty of the plan. I used a hand-held pump, dropped the suction line straight down to the bottom of the radiator, and easily (and without any spillage) drained the radiator, taking out 4+ gallons of old coolant. Also drained the overflow tank. Added new coolant and the truck is ready to go. Last time I fought that x=@# crummy valve, made a mess of the driveway, and felt quite miserable about the job since a good portion of the old coolant ended up on the ground. This time, all of the waste is going to a county hazardous waste collection. Thanks a mill for a great idea, Nick! By the way, I love Arizona--good choice for a place to live. Jim in Michigan--also a fine state.

 

[DrJC]

John,



I thank you and appreciate your response. I'm sure your advice would have been worthwhile. However, I took Nick's cue and it turned out just fine. Thanks again, fellows. Jim

 

[SRath]

My biggest complaint when doing this maintenence task has been my inability to find a way to drain the doggone block, too. What good is replacing half the coolant? That is like replacing half your oil. Five quarts of clean oil plus 6 quarts of dirty oil equals 11 quarts of dirty oil. Same for the coolant.

 

[NIsaacs]

Scott, the engine block will drain with the radiator. The inlet to the engine is the lowest point on the block and higher then the lowest point on the radiator. Since the block is a little lower in the back you might want to drive the rear axle on a set of ramps to level it out. I pull one of the pipe plugs on the top of the head and attach a garden hose to flush the block.



Nick

 

[SRath]

I appreciate that knowledge, Nick, thanks! It really bugged me to find no water jacket drain plug(s) on the cummins like a chevy motor has. I always installed brass petcocks with a length of tubing in place of those block plugs when I rebuilt a smallblock. It made for super-easy periodic draining and complete block flushing without any mess.