How do i drain my radiator?

[materialboi]

i'm changing the gasket under the oil filter adapter and i need to drain my fluid from my radiator. there is a strange clamp holding the hose onto the radiator that i can get off. my grandpa told me that there is supose to be a little drain thing somewhere on the radiator but i have yet to see it. Does anyone have a clue on an easy way to drain my radiator? I've spent alot of time trying to get it off and i'm having no luck
THANKS

 

[formerknown]

You have to undo the clamps on the t-stat housing. Undo the lower hose.

 

[materialboi]

i know where i want to drain it from, i just done know how to get that clamp off, it's that strangest thing. i was expecting a regular hose clamp not that thing

 

[formerknown]

Use some vise grips to remove the clamps. Just pinch the ends together.

 

[94m5]

Both of my radiators have a drain petcock in the lower passengerside corner. It's cast in to the little triangular projection off of the radiatior. You can drain it by removing the hose, but this way is alot less messy, and you will save alot of your coolant from being wasted.


That is of course, if your coolant is still good.


Mike

 

[rmac694203]

I also used the drain plug on the bottom of my radiator. Remember to refill the coolant through the cross over tube in front of the alternator.

 

[fossten]

I also used the drain plug on the bottom of my radiator. Remember to refill the coolant through the cross over tube in front of the alternator.

Ummm...what did you say again? I was distracted by your avatar...

:yourock:

 

[brendangillespie]

vise grips

Use some vise grips to remove the clamps. Just pinch the ends together.

Vise grips do the job, I agree... I had to replace my thermostat and it was a total pain in the a$$ getting those vise grips in there....

 

[crazyman]

There is actually a specific tool for those clamps that works great, but, beyond a Snap-on truck, I don't know where to get one.

 

[94m5]

yea, it's a cable opperated clamp tool and are cool as hell. S&K makes them also.

 

[materialboi]

i got it off and done, i have no spicket like people talk about, i have a 93 if that has anything to do with anything. now the problem i am having is filling the radiator back up

 

[94m5]

What do you mean?

 

[94m5]

Use this to fill the block, It is removed by a 1/4" drive ratchet. This will also fill the radiator. It has been my expierence, to replace the o-ring(coat with di-electric grease), and teflon tape around the threads. This will insure you don't have to worry about leaks.



Your local hardware store will have the o-rings, and your parts store will have the di-electric grease. Be sure to squeeze the radiator hoses to "burp" the air out of them. The 4.6 is VERY sensitive to proper fill procedures, and must be done right or air will remain in the system causing a potential overheat.




Mike

 

[Rope]

It been a while since I posted a thread, I didn't need to, my car is doing me right and all the question been ask you guys are very sharp.

Is there a procedures to fill a 4.6 radiator, and if so what is it, I had to change my water pump and I didn't follow no procedures to fill my radiator up, I have no problem with overheating, so the next time I have to deal with my radiator and run into overheating after I'm done with it, I will know what to do