*Stupid Question* Draining Cooling System
- Thread starter car noob
- Start date
-
Sponsors (?)
MustangPaul
Founding Member
Don't mess with freeze plugs. If it ain't broke--or leaking. . . .
Flush it and you'll be ok. If you are super worried, install a filter in the upper rad hose to catch crap as it flows through. Not needed, but you can to it.
Flush it and you'll be ok. If you are super worried, install a filter in the upper rad hose to catch crap as it flows through. Not needed, but you can to it.
68_stanger
New Member
there will be a threaded plug on both sides I believe 9/16 they both need to come out to completely drain the block. But as previously stated why dont you just flush it?
Route666
Active Member
Stick a hose in a hole. (preferably the water outlet for the block)
You may want to rip the thermostat out to do this too, otherwise it won't work.
You could also just stick a bit of cloth over the inlet on the radiator (top one) as a filter, put it all back together, fill the system up while running the motor, wait a bit for the water to cycle, empty water, start again. Repeat as you see fit.
You may want to rip the thermostat out to do this too, otherwise it won't work.
You could also just stick a bit of cloth over the inlet on the radiator (top one) as a filter, put it all back together, fill the system up while running the motor, wait a bit for the water to cycle, empty water, start again. Repeat as you see fit.
Easiest way to flush it, is to remove the heater hose the comes out of the intake, use an extra piece there to route it down past the alternator. Then remove the radiator cap. Use a garden hose inserted into the filler hole. Start the motor and run it till the water coming out from the heater hose is clear. You will also need to plug the open end of the heater hose while you're flushing the block. Then uncork it to flush the heater core. When you're done, remove the lower radiator hose to drain the engine and radiator, then refill with a gallon or so of antifreeze ( however much you decide to run) then top of with water. Those drain plugs in the block are just about impossible to remove. I don't think I've ever successfully removed one, just ended up rounding off the heads.
MustangPaul
Founding Member
Doesn't the shop manual call for removal of the freeze plugs? I've never removed on in the 20 odd years I've driven mustangs.
Makes you wonder if they'd pop out if the block did, indeed, freeze.
I've had the best luck with routing the top hose down under the alternator with another old piece of hose and letting the engine do the work for you.
Like I said earlier, there is a company--Gano, or something like that--that sells a filter that goes in your top hose to catch crap. Fills up, pull it, clean it and reinstall it. I've never used one as I figure that I'm on top of what is going on in my engine so the flush will remove any garbage that has accumulated.
It's messy, but necessary.
Don't forget that if your engine is full of grit and stuff, your radiator is probably full too. Pull it, take it to a rad shop, and have it boiled out.
--P
Makes you wonder if they'd pop out if the block did, indeed, freeze.
I've had the best luck with routing the top hose down under the alternator with another old piece of hose and letting the engine do the work for you.
Like I said earlier, there is a company--Gano, or something like that--that sells a filter that goes in your top hose to catch crap. Fills up, pull it, clean it and reinstall it. I've never used one as I figure that I'm on top of what is going on in my engine so the flush will remove any garbage that has accumulated.
It's messy, but necessary.
Don't forget that if your engine is full of grit and stuff, your radiator is probably full too. Pull it, take it to a rad shop, and have it boiled out.
--P
MustangPaul said:Doesn't the shop manual call for removal of the freeze plugs? I've never removed on in the 20 odd years I've driven mustangs.
Makes you wonder if they'd pop out if the block did, indeed, freeze.
I've had the best luck with routing the top hose down under the alternator with another old piece of hose and letting the engine do the work for you.
Like I said earlier, there is a company--Gano, or something like that--that sells a filter that goes in your top hose to catch crap. Fills up, pull it, clean it and reinstall it. I've never used one as I figure that I'm on top of what is going on in my engine so the flush will remove any garbage that has accumulated.
It's messy, but necessary.
Don't forget that if your engine is full of grit and stuff, your radiator is probably full too. Pull it, take it to a rad shop, and have it boiled out.
--P
Only when leaking, although it is a good idea to replace them when doing a rebuild. The problem is limited access while the engine is in the vehicle. No need to pull the radiator unless he is having cooling problems. Most deposits stay in the block.
MustangPaul
Founding Member
Oz--Good to know about the deposits. I thought that if you had grit in one place, you'd have it all over.
--P
--P
65 fastback
Founding Member
If you do flush out your coolant, make sure to capture all of the anti-freeze and dispose of it properly. Anti-freeze attracts animals with the smell and is deadly poisonous.
Tim
Tim
Route666
Active Member
The threaded drain plug must be a lot different on the 302 than my celica's little 4 banger, as I found undoing it pretty easy.
