draining coolant

[carhauler]

I picked Ricks brain trying to figure out the missing coolant drain in the rad. there is not one... there is a "quick disconnect" lower hose ,now I am trying to figure out how it works so it does not become a quick broken hose. this is another one of those great ideas GM comes up with. I am thinking this may be accessable from the top with the air box removed ? anyone have some input, at least its a service plan not a emergency.

[RickDLance]

Fred, Sorry I couldn't be of more help. My two Dave's did the best they could. :)

[JoshH]

If you pull the wheel well liner, the hose is easy to get to. Just pull the little metal retainer clip and slide the hose back. All you need is a small flat-head screwdriver. Be ready with a pre positioned bucket because the coolant comes out fast.

[carhauler]

Thanks , there are so many of these "easy" deals that need a special tool or are not so easy. I will take pictures and post this for others ,THANKS!
Rick , don't you wish we could go back is time when Petcocks and Points were normal , guess though we would not be turning on 200 HP on a scan tool ,LOL

[JoshH]

The little clip can be a pain sometimes, but just be easy with it and it should come right out with a little finesse. Definitely no special tools required :thumb:

I wish there was a petcock, but I'll pass on the points...):h

[carhauler]

I have not got the courage to dump the coolant ,I have been thinking about cutting the lower hose and putting a splice in it with a plug or petcock in it for the future, I would need to have a ID on the hose and I went to Chevy and believe it or not they did not have one in stock to measure, I am sure a auto parts store will but anyone happen to have a idea or one off to measure, Rick you should make a kit for this?

[minisub]

No!!!!

You definitely do not want to hack this up to put a petcock in it. (unrelated editorial comment - I am pleased we can use the word petcock here...:) )

Just pull the clip and separate the hose, it is not a big deal.

[deeretracks]

Iv got a brand new lower hose laying here and they can be a pain to find. My dealer didnot have one in stock and told me it would take 3 days to get it. I orderd mine from NAPA $75 and was here the next day. Carhualer I will look and get you an ID tomorrow.

[carhauler]

Deeretracks, Thanks , I have not decided to cut it but being the vans have a fill in line and they make inline temp deals I can't see it would be a big failure point, that would be the only concern ,but I guess it's also not something you do very often with extended life coolant either.

[Dogface1SG]

I found out the hard way how to empty it. I hit a deer a month back and had to replace the radiator,intercooler, A/C condensor, headlight mount brackets, lower right running light and the grille.

The bottom hose does come off easy. I took the airbox, and airbox mount off and got to it pretty easy. Of course I had most of my frontend off by that time anyhow.

BTW, if you ever trash your radiator, specify the measurements and the quick disconnect. It took me 4 radiators to get the right one. Wasted almost $300 in overnight shipping due to that problem. I bought my first one online, wrong one, it is for 2001-2005. Got the second one at a local parts store who made a special trip for me, same wrong one. Had Napa get one the next day, same wrong one. Everyones reference manual sais it is the right one. I am here to tell you

IT AINT

I ended up getting it from Ace Radiator in Ft. Wayne, IN Finally, the right one:)

[blksmok]

Do you have the part number for the right one you could share?

[rhadiesel]

there is a plastic plug in the radiator to drain coolant is this what your talking about???:hello:

[JoshH]

there is a plastic plug in the radiator to drain coolant is this what your talking about???:hello:On an 06+ there isn't.

[rhadiesel]

o i have not looked at my truck but my buddy showed me on his 05