draining the engine coolant
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Montreal Canada
draining the engine coolant
it's a 1990 302/auto
first i opened the drain at the bottom of the radiator. i got about a gallon of old coolant that way. when it was thru dripping i removed the lower radiator hose from the radiator itself and got a little more that way.
but i can't find the plugs to drain the block. according to my book there should be two, one on either side, but to use the driver side one as the other is blocked by the starter. anyone have a picture or a better description how to find it
also according to my book removing the lower hose is just as effective as draining the block itself
but problem is i've flushed it a second time now and still seeing a lot of coolant. i'd like to find the plug on the block itself.
also how would you go about flushing the system thoroughly with water
first i opened the drain at the bottom of the radiator. i got about a gallon of old coolant that way. when it was thru dripping i removed the lower radiator hose from the radiator itself and got a little more that way.
but i can't find the plugs to drain the block. according to my book there should be two, one on either side, but to use the driver side one as the other is blocked by the starter. anyone have a picture or a better description how to find it
also according to my book removing the lower hose is just as effective as draining the block itself
but problem is i've flushed it a second time now and still seeing a lot of coolant. i'd like to find the plug on the block itself.
also how would you go about flushing the system thoroughly with water
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 3
From: Langhorne, PA
I wanted to pop the drain plugs in my 92 4.9L once, I found them but they wouldn't budge, at that point I left them alone.
I had the engine out a year later for replacement, just as an experiment, I tried to pull the block drain plugs out. I busted the bit, those plugs were not gonna come out of that block.
When I flush the system I'll add 1/2 bottle of straight glycol to counteract the water stuck in the block, Then I add the 50/50 mixture to top it off.
I use a hydrometer and It is always in the good mix range when I finish.
Don't forget, the water should be distilled water when mixing water and glycol. If u used tap water to flush it isn't critical and should work OK.
Just make sure the rest of the solution is mixed with distilled water, it costs $1.50 a gallon at the supermarket.
I had the engine out a year later for replacement, just as an experiment, I tried to pull the block drain plugs out. I busted the bit, those plugs were not gonna come out of that block.
When I flush the system I'll add 1/2 bottle of straight glycol to counteract the water stuck in the block, Then I add the 50/50 mixture to top it off.
I use a hydrometer and It is always in the good mix range when I finish.
Don't forget, the water should be distilled water when mixing water and glycol. If u used tap water to flush it isn't critical and should work OK.
Just make sure the rest of the solution is mixed with distilled water, it costs $1.50 a gallon at the supermarket.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 139
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They are easy to get out if the engine isn't in the vehicle. It just takes a little heat from a torch on the plug, let cool for a little bit, then they just turn right out. If the engine is still in the vehicle, you have to be careful not to start a fire, there is usually oil from oil leaks around this area. On the 302, if I remember right, on the drivers side the water plug is up near the oil filter area, and on the passenger side it's in the middle of the block or behind the starter. And after you get them out, you might have to poke in the hole with a screwdriver, because it will be plugged up from crap built up in there.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 371
Likes: 1
From: Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Personally, I have never popped the block drain plugs to change out the a/f. You have probably already done a good enough job of draining the old stuff out and flushing. Just refill with 50/50 and as advised by 924 above, use distilled water.
Cheers!
Mike
Cheers!
Mike
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