Radiator petcock doesn't work!

[boathead]

Gotta question for you guys.

Why doesn't the drain petcock on my radiator work? Opened it up an NO COOLANT drained out, I had to pull the lower hose off to drain the coolant, but I see that the lower hose is not near the bottom of the radiator! What is that petcock for? I even tried using air pressure to blow into it thinking maybe there was a bunch of sediment in the bottom of the radiator, but sill nothing comes out, and there's still a bunch of coolant in there below where the lower hose connects. Guess i'll have to try siphoning the rest out . Anyone else had this problem?

Merry Christmas,

Paul

 

[illflem]

Everyone has this problem, it's a trick valve. After you turn it CCwise you need to pull it outwards.

 

[The patriot]

Bill, is that how it's done? I just changed my coolant, and when it seemed to stop (and nothing came out) I just continued turning till it did. Kind of feels like it'll break, but it didnt.

Eric

 

[boathead]

thanks illflem, I'll give it a try!!

Who's the genius that came up with that thing, nothing like making it more difficult than it needs to be !

Paul

 

[C Schomer]

After it's drained, it's a good idea to pull the stem out and put some faucet grease on the o-ring so it goes back in easy without nicking it. Craig

 

[JohnE]

Craig eluded to a problem opposite to <b>not</b> draining...

I pulled the whole stem out onetime while draining down the system. It goes back in easily, but only after making a bit of a mess and a colored slick on your concrete apron.



BTW, a 25&cent; piece of 5/16" vinyl tubing fits onto the little itty bitty outlet of the draincock. Helps get all of the coolant into the bucket instead of splashing off the various Dodge pieces.



-John

 

[boathead]

Got that sucker!

It's out now!

Of course I sucked most of the antifreeze out with the Shopvac!

Thanks again for all your help!

Merry Christmas

Paul