Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Radiator draincock

[dodger22]

I feel this is a dumb question but anyway here goes. Where is the radiator drain cock located on a 2001? I have the new coolant, hoses etc and can't find the drain cock!! I re-read the article in issue 35 and checked the manual but still no luck.



I am wondering if there is one at all.



Thanks,



Richard

 

[FourBarR]

Yes there is a drain cock. If you get under the left side and look up at the bottom of the radiator inthe far left corneris the drain. It has a thumb type head on it. It is also plastic so be careful how you treat it. It turns counterclockwiseabout a half turnand then pulls out . Hope this helps. Good luck with it.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I change mine every three of four years but I don't even mess with the it. I just get a short length of small hose(36" to 48") and siphon it out. That drain valve is plastic and cheap looking and looks like it will break real easy.



Sam

 

[telliott]

i just pulled the bottome hose off and drained it that way, but its kinda hard not to make a mess doing it that way

 

[Bob Cochran]

i just pulled the bottome hose off and drained it that way, but its kinda hard not to make a mess doing it that way

Same here and if I am not going to keep the old hose. Slit it and have more control and drain into a pan!!! Less mess but if going to keep hose as spare you will just get messy.

 

[dodger22]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was planning on keeping the hose as a spare so I will follow telliot's idea.



Thanks guys,



Richard

 

[Joe Mc]

Quick note for the drain cock. Once the rad is drained take the center of the drain (the cock :-laf - sorry) out and take with you to the local parts house get a few new O-rings, ask them to size using the cock and get refrigeration O-rings = the green ones. I've had the O-rings on mine crack and leak - of course you don't recognize this until it's all back together and 1/2 filled #@$%!

 

[SMorneau]

If the drain cock is the same as the 96 trucks you can get a plug for it a NAPA for about 6 bucks includes O-ring. PN 605-1372. I keep an extra one in stock as they seem to get messed up easily enough. Fortunately, it is the plug and not the plastic radiator that gets trashed.