so recently i have been dealing with some cooling problems and one thing i realised is i HATE that coolant bleeder. slamming a 5/8 12-point socket on and prying it off is a pain in the *** and having to make sure it seals everytime is also a hassle.

today i put a new thermostat in my truck and did a coolant flush so i decided to fix my problem and headed to my local home improvement store. i was originaly looking for the same large fitting but with a small standard hex head plug to thread in until i saw this. if this works out well then i will leave it otherwise i will get that hex head plug. i liked the compressor drain valve because i dont have to worry about sealing it everytime i take it on or off but i am a little worried about vibration so im going to keep a eye on it for a little while. with the pressure of the water it shouldn't open even with vibration because its a reverse thread and when it opens it screws down.

the size on the big fitting is 1/2inch pipe thread and the bleeder is 1/8inch pipe thread. i did have to grind the bleeder down a tiny bit on each side to clear the engine pull mount. even if i change the bleeder to the hex head bolt im still happy with the results and im glad to get rid of that old junker.

 

That is some good thinking.

The plugs in all of my fleet required a 3/8" square-drive.

I have the mechanical temperature sender in that port, so I can't use your idea.


What I am going to try is to install one of those garden-hose flushing ports, spliced into the heater-hose, for air-bleeding purposes.


If I don't get every last bit of air bled from the coolant system, the mechanical gauge will not read.

Usually, it takes numerous bleedings, a day apart, to finally purge the air.