draining the radiator

[ceap]

I need to put anti-freeze in the radiator and so am trying to drain it as I have no idea how much is in there or what type. I have broken a lever thing from what I think is the drain tap on the radiator but no water came out. There is a nut further up which I can't undo. Have I made a terrible mistake and how do I drain the radiator?

I am a total beginner in all things mechanic, so have a bit of a panic on.

All help and suggestions really appreciated. Thanks.

Claire

[alex_holden]

The drain tap on the radiator does have a habit of breaking like that. If it isn't leaking I'd leave it alone and drain the system by taking the bottom hose off instead (water will go all over the place when you do this). There should also be a tap on the side of the engine below the exhaust manifold that lets you drain the water jacket.

[ben739]

undo the hoses, undo the 2 bolts either side of the radiator. then lift the radiator out and up. turn it upside down in a bucket and it will drain. give it a good wash out with a hose and then put it back in and re-attach hoses. and fill with 50% anti freeze, and 50% water.

Ben


(just did mine, but the drain tap worked for me.)

[HarryMango]

Hi Claire

You can undo the jubilee clip and take off the bottom rubber hose from the radiator which will let most of the water out - it will make a bit of a mess - but in light of the broken drain tap, is a solution.

Rog

[ceap]

Thank you all for your replies! I am so pleased that my 'fixing' was not terribly bad. Tommorow I will attack the rubber hose.

Claire

[Judge]

We all have to start somewhere Claire

[Rob_Jennings]

I found that my tap was solid on mine so removing the hose, it is the easiest way.

There is no need to remove the radiator, just let it drain, fill it with water (holding the hose you removed closed) and let it drain, repeat this 3-4 times until the water runs clear. Then top with 50-50 water antifreeze as said, use distilled water for the final top up if you can otherwise don;t worry too much about that.

If you are not going to flush the engine (which is more difficult) you may want to repeat the whole process each after a few days as the water from the engine will carry more rubbish back round.

[Kevin]

There is no need to remove the radiator, just let it drain, fill it with water (holding the hose you removed closed) and let it drain, repeat this 3-4 times until the water runs clear.

Only drawback with this method is that is doesnt get rid of that much miuck it really needs taking out and backflushing, but as you are a novice and the weather is getting colder, before filling with the antifreeze mixture put some kettle descaler in the radiator and run round with it in for a day or two, then drain the water again you will be amazed at the rubbish that comes out then flush the rad until it comes clean, this should get rid of the worst until the warmer weather comes to do the job properly.
You will probably have to twist the hose quite a bit as they aften stick in place if its really jammed you will need to use a blunt screwdriver or similar to get under the lip of the hose and wiggle it around until it brakes the seal between the rad and hose, good luck.

[bmcecosse]

If the hose is not in the first flush of youth - it may crumble and break - maybe best to have a spare to hand. For a quick way to get water out the engine - just pop one of the heater hoses off and run the engine. You can flush clean water through that way too with a hose if you wish.