Radiator Flush problem

[mally002]

Hey guys,

First, let me say that I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to mechanics, but this has me puzzled. I went to flush my radiator just a few seconds ago, and the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator is a plastic wing turn screw. I turn it and it drains the fluid, but it doesnt come completley out....why? How can I flush it if it stays in the hole. There are two metal screw plugs that I thought were drain plugs, but when I took them out nothing happend, no drainage. The only way to drain is to loosen the plastic wing nut, but again it just comes loose and drains, but wont come off.

Am I doing something wrong......Help please.

PS...73 240Z

[mally002]

Never mind guys, I got it out.

It turns out it has press tabs on the end....sorry, hope I didnt waste anyone's time.

[e_racer1999]

i don't think that it has to come out to drain....

[240ZX]

When in doubt or need to drain it quickly, just remove the lower radiator hose.

[mally002]

Yea, I knew that it didnt need to come out all the way, but I thought any sludge would come out better if it was all the way off. Did get it though....

Thanks for the tip on the hose also.

[ZIII]

Don't know what the quality of your water is in TN, but I have only been using distilled water in all my radiators and it has worked perfectly.....

[=Enigma=]

Note that those little plastic petcocks are fragile after so many years. I had to get a new one recently after it snapped off at the neck while trying to re-install it. To my surprise, I found a perfect replacement on a "Quick Fix" rack at my local Winchester Auto store for $2.95. I really didn't expect to find one in the right size short of going to the stealer and trying to find a similar one to fit. If I recall correctly it was M10 x 1.25. I should have bought two at the time to keep one as a spare.

[76Datsun280z]

No problem, we all live and learn.

[beandip]

Never mind guys, I got it out.

It turns out it has press tabs on the end....sorry, hope I didnt waste anyone's time.

Don't forget to open the valve to the heater core so you can flush it while you are at it. Are you using a flushing agent ? When you are finished and have refilled cooling system and are starting the engine for the first time , watch the temp gage and also keep touching the head and the thermostat cover. It is vary possible to have a large air pocket that will not allow your coolant to get to the thermostat . This can cause the engine to over heat. If you find the head hot too the touch and the thermostat cover is not and the gage shows cool. Shut down and wait for the heat of the head to get to the thermostat and it will open allowing the flow. Just a heads up . Gary

[zbane]

Now would be a good time to change out your thermostat. In an attempt to minimize the air bubble danger, I have found it helpful to pour water into the thermostat housing until it finds equalibrium in the radiator, then install thermostat and top off radiator in the usual manner. More likely than not, there will still be some air in the system, but hopefully less than you would have otherwise.

FWIW.

[mally002]

Thanks for the tips guys......I love this place!!

[sblake01]

....There are two metal screw plugs that I thought were drain plugs, but when I took them out nothing happend, no drainage....

The existance of those plugs simply means that your radiator was replaced sometime in the past with one for an auto trans car. Those plugs plug the area where the trans fluid would flow for cooling purposes if you had an automatic transmission.