This is probably a stupid "yes" question, so i'm asking to make sure I don't make a stupid mistake.

When I pull the bottom rad hose off, will all the fluid drain out? I've never touched a rad before, so I figure either all the fluid will splash out and make a huge mess, or else just the fluid that's in the hose will drain out... which would imply that there is a drain plug on the bottom somewheres.

So yeah, basically tell me how big of a catch bucket i'm gonna need. tongue.gif

 

Yes, it will. Look on the passenger side for the *prepares for kant to giggle* draincock. give that a twist and the coolant will drain.

 

Oh okay, so if I pull the hose off, it's gonna flood my garage?
I'll need to drain it first, then. Thanks, yo. wink1.gif

 

Yes, it will all drain out if you do it like that. However, there's a plug on the bottom of the radiator, I want to say passenger side. Not too hard hard to find, I think there's even a little hole in the plastic beneath (although most of it misses...). It's a simple plastic thumb screw thing that you can take out and drain most all the fluid. When you take off the hoses, particularly the short elbow one, you may still get a bit of fluid, so be sure to be ready to catch it. I forget how much it is, but it's probably around 2 or so gallons. I used an oil catch pan since it sorta went everywhere, then empty it from there.

 

^^ Thanks brotha.

Also, while i'm on the subject... while i'm going to be draining it anyway, this would be a good time to do a rad flush right? Can anyone direct me on some good product to use? Or should I even bother?

 

Product? A hose. And flush it out.

 

.... 02.gif
I'm confused then.
I thought you're supposed to pour some sort of... crap in there. To clean it all out.
Isn't that what the "professionals" do? o.O

 

There are flush products out there like Zerex etc. I don't know how important it is to do that but I've come to the point in my life that if it's going to get done, it's going to get done right and thoroughly. I'd do it but maybe some guys here will say it's a waste of cash.

http://autorepair.about.com/od/regularmain...olant_flush.htm

 

Yeah, prestone has some good cleaner stuff, I recommend it. Just put it in your system for about 1k miles, then rinse for another 1k, then drain and put in regular stuff. Directions are on there for exact mileages....

 

Its a waste. I do it all the time and we just use a hose to get all the dirt out thats in there. Works fine and is effective to clean it out.