Radiator drain plug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
No need to remove the radiator to just replace a thermostat. Man, that would be one terrible design if that were required.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 0
From: Kuwait
No need to remove the radiator to just replace a thermostat. Man, that would be one terrible design if that were required.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
No need to remove the radiator to just replace a thermostat. Man, that would be one terrible design if that were required.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
This is the way I would do it also.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Put a bucket under the thermostat housing. Loosen the housing bolts and let it drain. Change the stat. Refill and top off. No need to drain the radiator seperately.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett Texas
No need to remove the radiator to just replace a thermostat. Man, that would be one terrible design if that were required.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
I didn't drain the radiator, I just removed the old thermostat and lost some coolant. If you work fast you won't lose a lot of coolant. You just have to clean up the mess.
If you want to drain the radiator, there is a petcock on the bottom, not sure which side.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
The way I did it; Jack up the front to a comfortable working height, place jack stands, locate the radiator drain petcock on the passenger side bottom of the radiator, place a piece of scrap hose on the petcock and drain 2 gallons of coolant out into an old container (I used old 1 gallon cranberry juice bottles). Close the petcock. Remove the thermo housing, replace the thermo housing with the new stat in place, pour in 1/2 gallon of coolant and 1/2 gallon of distilled water, add another 1/2 gallon of coolant to the overflow tank, close the overflow cap and start the motor, let it heat up to to 185° and shut it off, wait an hour and add the last 1/2 gallon of water and you're done. Easy, no coolant on the floor or the motor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
I learned a trick from someone on this forum to get the engine/radiator completely full. Take the small water line off the front of the driver's side head. Take the cap off the radiator overflow reservoir and place your mouth over the opening and blow. I'm just glad nobody had a video camera! You blow until the water comes out the line you removed, fill the reservoir up if it gets low, put the hose back on, and your ready to roll. This works and you don't have to heat up the engine to refill it.
Be careful and DO NOT DRINK THE COOLANT!
Be careful and DO NOT DRINK THE COOLANT!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
That's sucks as much as when you're changing the oil and you drop the drain plug into the oil pan. I hate when that happens!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
The way I did it; Jack up the front to a comfortable working height, place jack stands, locate the radiator drain petcock on the passenger side bottom of the radiator, place a piece of scrap hose on the petcock and drain 2 gallons of coolant out into an old container (I used old 1 gallon cranberry juice bottles). Close the petcock. Remove the thermo housing, replace the thermo housing with the new stat in place, pour in 1/2 gallon of coolant and 1/2 gallon of distilled water, add another 1/2 gallon of coolant to the overflow tank, close the overflow cap and start the motor, let it heat up to to 185° and shut it off, wait an hour and add the last 1/2 gallon of water and you're done. Easy, no coolant on the floor or the motor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,208
Likes: 1
I learned a trick from someone on this forum to get the engine/radiator completely full. Take the small water line off the front of the driver's side head. Take the cap off the radiator overflow reservoir and place your mouth over the opening and blow. I'm just glad nobody had a video camera! You blow until the water comes out the line you removed, fill the reservoir up if it gets low, put the hose back on, and your ready to roll. This works and you don't have to heat up the engine to refill it.
Be careful and DO NOT DRINK THE COOLANT!
Be careful and DO NOT DRINK THE COOLANT!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett Texas
