1999 Chevy Monte Carlo radiator drain plug removal

Tiny
THE_SAILOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
I want to replace the coolant but I can't get the drain plug out. The plastic thing that you turn to open the drain is broke off almost flush with the radiator outlet. I'm not sure if you have to push in the plug to turn it or what the procedure is. Does it turn clockwise or counter clockwise? Removing the lower radiator hose to drain the system will not completely drain the radiator and will leave most of the coolant in the block. What is your advise on getting the plug out and draining and replacing the coolant?
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 AT 10:54 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KLSHIEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 163 POSTS
The drain plug is always hard. If it is broke off already I would by pass it. You should do a good flush of the system anyways so here is what you do. Park near a garden hose away from pets because you don't want them to drink any coolant. Drain the coolant out the lower hose and re attach. Remove the upper hose and put the garden hose in the radiator fill neck. Turn on the hose and start the motor once the water flows over. Water will flow though the radiator, engine and out the upper hose. When it is comming out clear shut down motor you should flush through your heater core in one out the other connection on passenger fire wall. Flush the over fill tank and run the line that goes to the radiator down to drain it. Drain as much water as you can from the system once you have flushed it well. With everything reconnected you can check your owners manual to find out the capacity of the cooling system. Put half this amount of un-mixed coolant in system. You can top off the system with water. With the engine running some systems have bleeder screws and you can rev the engine to get air out of the system. Go for a test ride when you think you have the system at the right level and recheck. For systems with no radiator cap and just a jug the process is the same only you put the garden hose in the jug while running it. You can also flush through different parts of the system with out running motor.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 AT 11:20 AM

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