i have a 2002 f150 i am changing the coolant and i cant get a socket to fit that little plug is there a special tool please help thank you

 

Your not using radiator drain **** at bottom passenger side?

 

no i mean the engine drain for the coolant nothing seams to fit it do i need a special socket

 

i have tried all my sockets and i am starting to strip the drain

 

Why are you pulling the block drain? To change the coolant you only need to drain the radiator from the drain **** on the bottom of the radiator. no need to jack with the block drain.

 

in the manual i tells you to drain that plug

 

should i forget to pull the engine plug

 

I've never done that. On any vehicle I did a coolant flush on I'd drain the coolant. fill with water, run the engine for a bit drain again. then refill with correct coolant/water mix.

 

I pull block drain plugs whenever possible. A 460 holds many quarts in the lower water jacket. Even the smaller engines hold quite a bit.

By using the radiator drain, or pulling the lower radiator hose, all the water in the block below the water pump passage level stays in the block. There is an upper common area, that pulling either side's block plug will drain. And a lower water jacket area (one each side of the engine) that only the plug on that side will drain.

I've pulled out the driver's side block plug on the '97 4.6L with no problem. Can't tell ya what wrench I used, don't remember. But it was no big deal. I used #1 Permatex (the setting type) on the plug threads before putting it back in.

Block drain plug on the passenger side on many V-engines are blocked by the starter. Pulling those on old engines can be a good idea. May pull the plug... and nothing comes out! Have to poke a thin steel rod in to dislodge crud, or casting sand that collected there at the bottom of the water jacket.

 

I don't know what engine you have. But on mine, the drain plug is a square head. I used adjustable wrench. It is a good idea to drain the block, but if you cannot, don't lose sleep.

 

I also would like the drain the block. Approximate location for both left and right side? Are these the square headed things? Can they be reached from the top side? Advice and counsel appreciated. Best.

 

I don't have 4.6 but afaik engine drain plugs are square heads. I doubt you can access it from above. YOu should see one on each block.

 

Just had my driver's side out a month ago. On my 1997 4.6 WINDSOR engine (VIN code "6" for 8th VIN digit), it is an internal hex plug. I use a metric hex that is fitted into its own socket, driven with a 3/8" drive, a Craftsman Metric Hex 3/8" drive set I have. I put an extension on it, and it is easy to get to.

The driver's side block drain plug is about 2" above the rear-most core plug ("freeze plug") on the block. On my 2WD, it is just above and a bit forward of the oil filter. Easy to get to sliding under from behind the left front wheel.

Once it's really loose, I just spin the extension by hand and slide myself back, because when the plug comes out, it dumps!

Before putting some Permatex #1 sealer on it and installing it, I thread it in bare with the extension held by hand not by wrench, to get a feeling for the insertion angle needed. It has to be threaded in really straight, or else it isn't right. When you have it started right, it threads in easy.

 

do you happen to know the location of the drain plugs for a 94 Bronco 5.8L XLT? or even better a diagram?

 

Mines a 17mm, had to buy a 6 point. it was bugered up so I had to file it a little and tap the socket on it. I still couldn't get it. Had to put the truck on a rack, to get enough leverage. What every you do don't hammer the breaker bar or jerk on it, the plug is very soft. I got around a gallon of coolant out of the lower block. I flushed the COLD engine with a hose hooked to a Prestone flush tee. Put the plug back in started the engine, and continued till water came warm. partially drained radiator, added cleaner. Drove for three days, let engine cool, flushed thru tee, and out recovery tank, till clear. Started engine, flushed till clear. Drained block, and radiator. blew heater coil, radiator, and engine block out with 50 psi compressed air. Filled with distilled water, drove till hot, let cool, drained. Blew out system, reinstalled block plug with Never-seez. On my 4.6 L with a single pass radiator, I added 9 quarts of 100% yellow anti-freeze and topped off with distilled water. You'll have to keep topping of the coolant tank, as bubbles are worked out. A refractometer indicates -34 which is 50/50.