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07-29-2022, 02:41 PM | #1 |
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How to drain coolant with no mess?
Hate to post with a really stupid question that makes me sound like a newbee but I'll do it anyway.
I want to drain some coolant out of my '41 flathead to replace the coolant temperature sensor without spilling or making a mess? There's a petcock on the radiator. Some sources say not to use the radiator drain petcock because the radiator metal is really soft and chances are high that you'll strip the threads. Even if it used, looks like it will splash coolant all over radiator support as it comes out. POSSIBLY a very small piece of tubing could be inserted into the hole in the pet cock but it would have to be so small that draining would take quite a while and would probably make a mess anyway. Thoughts? |
07-29-2022, 03:28 PM | #2 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
If your car has the factory radiator pan it has a hole in it for draining the radiator. Place a plastic dish pan at the location of the hole in the pan and open the petcock slowly. Let it drain into the dish pan via the hole.. If you have dogs or cats make sure they are not around in case a little gets spilled.
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07-29-2022, 03:33 PM | #3 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Your motor should have pipe plugs (on each side) at the lower section of the block around the corner of the flat where the water pumps mount. I use these two to drain the majority of the coolant out and avoid the rad petcock for reasons you described.
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07-29-2022, 04:44 PM | #4 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
If you can draw a vacuum on the cooling system, just remove the sensor and screw in the new one. You might lose a few drops.
Bruce
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07-29-2022, 05:05 PM | #5 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Bruce said it.
I tried it recently and it worked for me. Watch this video. https://youtu.be/c1-m06wuo6c Note the vacuum is just placed loosely near the neck, not a leak free connection. |
07-29-2022, 05:21 PM | #6 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
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Would be better if you just add a short piece of copper tubing and then slip on a piece of clear hose that clears the drain pan. This is a Walker radiator in a 40 Ford. Radiator hoses are chrome plated copper tube. |
07-29-2022, 09:07 PM | #7 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
If you drain the radiator on the driveway, be sure to have water running to carry it away in order to prevent staining the concrete.
Your radiator tank is not soft metal, and there are no threads to strip. The petcock is a spring loaded brass taper valve, and although it may initially be stuck closed, simple prudence will free it up easily.
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07-29-2022, 09:29 PM | #8 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Park the car on the street and let it drain in the gutter. No mess.
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07-29-2022, 09:38 PM | #9 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
I usually slip a piece of rubber hose over the end of the petcock. long enough to clear the splash pan. the hose will want to turn with the petcock when you open it, but it is not that difficult
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07-29-2022, 09:54 PM | #10 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
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07-29-2022, 10:47 PM | #11 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Good idea Pete. Better yet park it next to a river or Puget Sound. No muss, no fuss! No cleanup. Might as well change the oil too. LOL. In all seriousness though if it were mine I'd try the proper size hose on the petcock and be gentle getting the petcock open.
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07-30-2022, 11:04 AM | #12 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
I've used 3 1/2 gallon buckets when changing coolant, slide right under the petcock and go. Found at Home Improvement Stores.
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07-30-2022, 12:01 PM | #13 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Bruce said it. Mart said it. Glenn says it.
I first tried this a few years back on a SBC temperature sensor mounted in the intake manifold and it worked wonderfully with no leakage of anti-freeze. Regarding petcocks I have 2 on my Flathead. I've found that the paddles will spin if they haven't been opened for a while. I soldered the paddle to the splined portion and then JB welded the extension tube to it so that I could slip on a hose to drain in a bucket. Glenn |
07-31-2022, 04:28 PM | #14 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Bruce/Martin, the vacuum cleaner trick worked well. Changed the sensor and didn't spill a drop. Even though I didn't stick the pipe into the coolant and didn't seal the opening, still managed to suck about a quart of coolant into my shop vacuum. Better to have the coolant there than spilling in the engine compartment, garage, driveway or street.
Last edited by SoCalCoupe; 07-31-2022 at 10:20 PM. |
07-31-2022, 04:36 PM | #15 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Don't drain it into the gutter. Antifreeze is hard to get back out of the water and someone down stream has to drink that water.
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07-31-2022, 07:24 PM | #16 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
I assume that those people who suggested draining into the street etc were joking, but it's no joke and people who don't get the joke and take it seriously can raise all kinds of h**l at such postings and this site.
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07-31-2022, 07:28 PM | #17 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
I ran across thos drain plug - it's a marine item and works a lot better that the butterfly type. You can attach a hose to it too
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07-31-2022, 08:59 PM | #18 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
You only have to drain enough off to lower the level in the engine so coolant doesn't piss out when you remove the sensor ( same applies for pulling the stats). Your coolant doesn't have to go anywhere, including the gutters because if you catch it from the rad petcock you can reuse it. I had a stat turn sideways in the hose at the head and applied the same method to right it.
GB
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07-31-2022, 10:37 PM | #19 | |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
Quote:
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07-31-2022, 10:50 PM | #20 |
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Re: How to drain coolant with no mess?
They do.
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