Drain Plug found, solution in post #7 below

Good Day Ladies and Gentlemen,

Does anyone know if the radiator has a drain plug? I have looked around and without removing some plastic, so far I do not see one. Also, if it does not have a drain plug and I have to remove a lower hose, how does the hose connection work? The hoses do not have a traditional hose clamp of any kind. The connections look like they have a large retainer clip and maybe an O-ring seal?

Thank you and have a Great Day Always!

 

I cannot comment on the Super Duty specifics as I do not have my truck yet, but on a previous truck, I learned a hard lesson.

Bottom line, I'll never use the petcock again unless absolutely necessary. I had to drain my cooling system once as I was doing some heater core/blend door work and while the coolant was draining, I got busy working on something else. I then suddenly heard a rush of coolant draining out of the radiator. Upon closer inspection, I found that the valve failed. Then I found that the fix was a new radiator.

All that to say, pull the lower hose to drain the coolant. It's quicker and replacing a hose or a clamp, should you damage either, is an easier pill to swallow.

Good luck.

 

kry226, Thank you for the reply and reminding me about those non serviceable pit *****. I ran into that on my 2008 F150, the first time I drained it I thought the pit **** was going to break off. I immediately started a search for a spare and found out the same thing you did, very poor plastic idea. If this truck has one I would like to see what it looks like and if it is usable. Otherwise I will use your suggested method. Thanks again.

 

To answer your question about the hose,just pull off the retainer. There is an o ring to seal it. I would replace the oring if you remove the hose.

 

Further research tells me Ford doesn't list the o ring separately. A new hose comes with the o ring and retainer

 

SnowPlowDriver,

Thanks for the reply and suggesting the O-Ring replacement. I spent an hour or so looking all over the internet and found plenty of o-ring kits for the diesel engine but nothing for the 6.2 gasser. I went to FordParts.com and looked at several exploded views of the radiator and associated parts. Even live chat was no help and the associated parts descriptions were confusing or just plain incorrect.
I think I found the correct o-ring that fits both the upper and lower radiator hoses and the "T" fitting under the engine just over the frame crossbar that comes from the engine block over to the lower radiator fitting.
I ordered two different o-rings hoping one of them is correct, after I receive them I will post the correct part numbers if I get the right one.
BTW, the bottom hose at the lower "T" fitting is very easy to access and also the lowest point of the cooling system so I think that is the best place to open the system and drain it, even better than if I did have a drain plug which I still do not see anywhere.
Thanks again.

 

I was looking in the wrong place! The drain plug is not on the back (engine side) of the radiator like you would expect. It is on the side, on the drivers side. If you stick your face between the coolant reservoir and the windshield washer fluid fill and look straight down there it is! Easy to see and easy to access, aparently it is removable because they are sold on Ford parts.com and ebay as well. The part number is DG9Z8115Aand 8115 on the exploded view.

I received the o-rings today from Ford parts.com, less than 24 hours to my door. The part number for the upper and lower hose as well as the "T" fitting is HC3Z-8590-A and 8590B on the exploded view. The part number for the hose that connects to the coolant reservoir is BC3Z-8590-A and 8590A on the exploded view.

I have not tried any of these parts yet but Ford parts.com uses the VIN# to verify fitment so I hope they are correct. Thanks to all you replied and got me headed in the right direction.

Best of luck!