Tips for draining radiator

[StickyLifter]

Hi Everybody,

I need to put a new thermostat in my 1984 Sierra. I don't see any drain petcock on the radiator. Does anybody have any tips for draining the radiator without making a huge mess all over the floor? I'm tempted to try to find a pump I can use to pump antifreeze out through the radiator cap. Has anybody tried something like this?

Thank you for any insight!

John

 

[fast 99]

Many cars today do not have a radiator drain and if they do I usually won't disturb them. It's easy to ruin a radiator loosening the petcock, especially if they have plastic tanks. Ony 2 ways, suck/syphon it out [we have a flush machine to do that] or remove a lower hose. I just figure when the job is done using a hose to wash it down.

 

[Radiohead]

Do you have one of those drain pans, green, with the pour spout that holds like 4 gallons?
You need one. If you are careful, you too can do this. Little bits at a time (use a big nipple pick around the hose barb to get it started) until it's drained and off you go. It gets easier over time. Go slow if it's being a pita.
And by all means, if you have a suction gun use it. That way you only need to remove enough coolant to dry out the stat. GL

 

[SquareRoot]

Do you have one of those drain pans, green, with the pour spout that holds like 4 gallons?
You need one. If you are careful, you too can do this. Little bits at a time (use a big nipple pick around the hose barb to get it started) until it's drained and off you go. It gets easier over time. Go slow if it's being a pita.
And by all means, if you have a suction gun use it. That way you only need to remove enough coolant to dry out the stat. GL

I'm not sure what a "big nipple pick" is but I'm subscribed to this thread.

 

[Jimbarry]

Mine's an allen plug in the lower drivers side of the radiator. Easy access but still makes a hellova mess.

 

[Randy and Easton]

We are about to drain ours for Vintage Air install. When he did the top of the motor the petcock worked and we cleaned and lubed it up knowing we would need to drain it again for something. Used the big green pan as well, holds it all.

 

[Radiohead]

If you search "nipple pick", you come up with a tool related to black powder firearms. Sorry, I think what I was referring to is called a 'hose puller pick'. Something like this

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Sorry if I disappointed anyone. Way back in the 20th century I remembered nipple picks covering an array of implements, ranging from large like above to tiny like these.

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Some guys called 'em booger pickers. Eww. But then, considering the actual picking of nipples....

 

[StickyLifter]

If you search "nipple pick", you come up with a tool related to black powder firearms. Sorry, I think what I was referring to is called a 'hose puller pick'. Something like this

You must be registered for see images attach

Sorry if I disappointed anyone. Way back in the 20th century I remembered nipple picks covering an array of implements, ranging from large like above to tiny like these.

You must be registered for see images attach

Some guys called 'em booger pickers. Eww. But then, considering the actual picking of nipples....

I'll have to "pick up" one of those. I also ordered a syphon pump. I'm hopeful I can get enough antifreeze out with it to get swap out the thermostat.