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Radiator flush

Tiny
JACLARK1
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 GMC SONOMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 72,349 MILES
I want to drain the radiator and put in new coolant, How do I open the drain valve 'i have never seen a valve like this one? It looks like nothing I have ever seen?
Monday, April 18th, 2011 AT 9:48 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
According to the manual your can just be unscrewed by hand (see picture below). I have seen some that require a 1/4" drive extension to unscrew
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Monday, April 18th, 2011 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
JACLARK1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The bottom hose is about halfway up the rad?
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Monday, April 18th, 2011 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
JACLARK1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I tried to siphone the antifreeze out but the rad. Has a trans. Cooling jacket in the way inside the rad?
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Monday, April 18th, 2011 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Take the thermostat out and the bottom hose off and also disconnect the heater hose, flush all out with water until it runs clean, replace hose etc add 6.5 litres of DEX-COOL and remainder with water this will give you the 50/50 coolant mix required.
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Sunday, July 17th, 2011 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
DEACONLZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 GMC SONOMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
I am trying to drain the radiator. It does not have a drain plug. It looks like I need a special tool. Know what I am talking about?
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Thursday, December 27th, 2018 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
You could pull off lower radiator hose.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2018 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NEALC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the same problem. Same year and everything. The drain is one of the type that has a drain nipple to the side. Normally, you would see a "wing" or, knurled knob on the valve to turn it with. Mine has a square recess. I tried a 1/4"socket extension. It was too large. There has to be some type of special tool for this. Any GM mechanics around? Pulling the hose would work. But I would rather not take the chance of pouring coolant all over my driveway.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2018 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMMYJACKR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
In past that quarter inch drive is a allen, believe it or not.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2018 AT 6:43 PM (Merged)

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