I thought I was going to do a coolant change today but could never get the petcock to drain.

I read in one of the older posts that you have to pull while turning, so I used vice grips to turn and pull.

I rotated it 1/4 turn and pulled with both hands and still did not get it.

Can someone tell me if this thing turns more than 90 degrees?

Does it actually screw out?

I have a way to connect my slide puller to vise grips, I think I will try that tomorrow.

thanks...gary

 

I think the last time I did a coolant change I removed the lower hose. It seemed easier.

 

twist mostly counter clockwise slight pulling pressure, carefull don't pull too hard and yank it right out like I did the first time. leave rad cap on till you have it free, this creates a vacuum and slows the flow, in case you do yank it right out. vice grips work well

 

better off leaving the petcock alone if it wont turn easily, seen too many break over the yrs,
your better off just pulling the lower rad hose, its messy but your next post wont be "where is the best deal on a radiator"

 

It goes a quarter turn, pulls out a bit, and then another quarter I believe. They are stubborn, just don't yank too hard. Some channel lock pliers did the trick.

 

I have yet to get my to go beyond a quarter turn.

I have tried channel locks and vise grips.

It turns easily it just will not pull out.

I was wanting to flush it out good and it would be nice to get the
petcock to work.

....gm

 

Got mine to work one time. Started reading about all the problems with how hard to pull and what happens if you over pull!
For last 6 yrs, I have been syphoning what I can get out of the radiator. 3-4 gallons. That's about 1/2 the total.
I've been doing this once a yr at the start of each summer. Keeps coolant looking clean and refreshed!!

Much easier and less time consuming than messing with hoses that are hard to reach.
Just another way to 'skin that cat'.

That and back flushing my radiator, at same time each yr, has resulted in no summertime overheating...even at the track!
Hardly ever get the viscous clutch, high idle, activation (once in 5 yrs).!

RJ

 

Yeah, but one of these days one of those hard to reach hoses is going to fail, leaving you on the side of the road.

Your method's much better than most peoples' though, which is to ignore it.

Mike

 

Agree .... if I never changed it.
Bottom hose is on my every 100,000 miles 'preventative maintenance' check list.
I hate downtime surprises!!

 

You were right on the money Tate. I reread your post and tried pulling once I got it to 90 degrees.

It pulled right out and when I was done, it shut off without leaking.

I installed new upper and lower radiator hoses.

I used a flushing compound, ran clear water through it twice and then put in 5 gallons mix of distilled water and Zerex G05.

I still have a half a gallon of mixed stuff and a full unopened bottel of AF. Well see how much more it will take over the next few days....

Thanks for all the help guys!....gary