How do I drain radiator?

[BC]

O. K. , I know this is a dumb question, and many of you are rolling your eyes and thinking what an idiot I am. Want you to know I work hard at being this ignorant!



Yes, I have the service manual. Yes I read the part that told me to "Open radiator drain plug", but no where does it say where on the radiator it is. I've looked at the underside of the radiator, it ain't there.



I thought about removing the lower radiator hose but the manual says I need a special "hose clamp tool" (#6094). Seeing how I am a layman, I don't happen to have one of these buggers running around. Can I use regular channel locks?



Last question. I am also lubing underneath the truck. I found about 4 zerk (grease) fittings on the frontend. Are there any others?



Thanks for bearing with me. I trying to learn.



Bill Cook

 

[WyoJim]

There are 5 zerks, I guess that would be about 4.



The drain petcock is on the drivers side of the radiater. Its hard to see, but you can find it.

 

[Bob Ellithorpe]

Look on the drivers side,it's in the area above the horns. It's a little hard to find since it's black plastic. It will have a small drain on the bottom where you can attach a 5/16 ID hose to drain your coolant into a container. The drain petcock ( if you can call it that) has a rectangular shaped handle that works best if you can grip it with a pair of pliers. To release it try using a pulling/twisting motion. Remember to be a little gentle,because it's plastic and plastic things tend to break easily.

I had to rotate the clamp on the intercooler hose to get it out of the way. The threaded part of the clamp is a great place to leave some of the skin from your hand if the pliers slip.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Bill:

Look to the right of the air intake tube on the drivers side of the radiator. Take a pair of pliersand turn the plug clockwise. There is a flat, extruded plastic part on the plug. Turn and pull gently till you make one full turn. . Don't be under it , but to the side. I got 5 gals. out just with that drain. . Ya' don't need a special plier to get the lower hose. Remove the overflow tank and use channel-locks on the pressure clamps. . I would change the themostat also. while you are in there.

It's really not much to it.

Good luck.

Preston

 

[Happy Camper]

I know exactly what you are going thru. I went thru it myself. I figured I was going nuts as I could not find the drain valve. After falling in love with the radiator and all the things in the way I found it. Thennnnn the fun began. Getting it to drain with out breaking it. Twist and pull and you will be successful. LOL.

 

[BC]

Thanks y'all. It is getting light out as I write. Will tackle this job, along with some other rehab the 3500 needs, in about an hour.



Bill Cook

 

[grtescpa]

Originally posted by BC

O. K. , I know this is a dumb question, and many of you are rolling your eyes and thinking what an idiot I am. Want you to know I work hard at being this ignorant!



Yes, I have the service manual. Yes I read the part that told me to "Open radiator drain plug", but no where does it say where on the radiator it is. I've looked at the underside of the radiator, it ain't there.



I thought about removing the lower radiator hose but the manual says I need a special "hose clamp tool" (#6094). Seeing how I am a layman, I don't happen to have one of these buggers running around. Can I use regular channel locks?



Last question. I am also lubing underneath the truck. I found about 4 zerk (grease) fittings on the frontend. Are there any others?



Thanks for bearing with me. I trying to learn.



Bill Cook

Do yourself a favor and buy a spare drain plug. They tend to leak if you have not opened it in 30,000 miles.

Save the head aches later

 

[BC]

Grtescpa,



Opps, got your message too late. I'll keep an eye on the drain valve.



Thanks to everyone else for the info about where to find the drain plug. Found it in seconds. I now have new antifreeze.



Thanks again.



Bill Cook