Draining Coolant

#1

I need to drain the coolant/anti-freeze from my 89 prior to the February event. Can someone tell me if it’s required to open the engine block drain plug or can I just open the radiator drain plug? My first attempt at the block plug showed it was on pretty tightly and if I don’t have to remove it might prevent stripping the plug or something else nasty! Will the coolant in the block drain through the radiator?

Thanks.

Keith

#2

Keith,

You can do it without removing the block drain, but you might have to reflill the radiator a few times in order to flush all of the green stuff out.

You might want to rethink draining the coolant for the Feb event, however. I believe NASA allows for antifreeze at this event; they did last year.

I was at VIR in Dec and forgot to add coolant - it only had water wetter from the last fall race - and the radiator froze Sat am - it was 17deg F. Mike and I only made one lap before it boiled over.

Ed

#3

Great thought on February…guess with all the warm January weather I just assumed that winter was not really over!

Anybody know for sure whether the green stuff will pass tech at VIR?

Keith

#4

smithk3933 wrote:

[quote]Great thought on February…guess with all the warm January weather I just assumed that winter was not really over!

Anybody know for sure whether the green stuff will pass tech at VIR?

Keith[/quote] I will confirm with Chris but was acceptable last year.

#5

I’m running about a 20% mix right now as I’ve seen freezing overnight temps into March at VIR.

JP

#6

nasaregistrar wrote:

[quote]smithk3933 wrote:

[quote]Great thought on February…guess with all the warm January weather I just assumed that winter was not really over!

Anybody know for sure whether the green stuff will pass tech at VIR?

Keith[/quote] I will confirm with Chris but was acceptable last year.[/quote] Coolant will be acceptable for the VIR event in Feb. This is now confirmed.

#7

Thanks for the follow-up. I’m good to GO!

#8

edavidson wrote:

[quote]Keith,

You can do it without removing the block drain, but you might have to reflill the radiator a few times in order to flush all of the green stuff out.

[/quote]

Point is somewhat moot now for VIR, but for benefit of newbs on the board, if your goal is to really drain/flush the system you have to remove the block drain to get it all out. Probably 2/3 of the total volume in the system ends up coming out thru the block drain.

It’s not really that hard to get to the drain bolt, a 6" extension and a long wratchet handle should do it. (As long as the exhaust manifold doesn’t melt your forearm!)

#9

I just used a regular old wrench. :side:

#10

A wrench works for me too…If its really stubborn, Tap the wrench with a 5lb sledge to shock it loose.

#11

And anti-seize when putting it back to prevent the need for the sledge next time?

Carter

#12

Carter wrote:

[quote]And anti-seize when putting it back to prevent the need for the sledge next time?

Carter[/quote]

Yeah I guess…if you want to take the easy way out. :lol:

#13

Carter wrote:

[quote]And anti-seize when putting it back to prevent the need for the sledge next time?

Carter[/quote] Anti-sieze is the second greatest invention after air tools.