How do you drain and refill the radiator?

Answer 1

You open the petcock at the bottom of the radiator, It looks like a wing nut, and then take off the radiator cap on the top. Be sure that you have a bucket under there before you start and that the car has been setting for a while so that the water is not hot. After radiator has drained out you will tighten the petcock and fill the radiator. You will use about 40% antifreeze and 60% water, depending on the climate where you live you may need more antifreeze. After you fill the radiator initially start your engine and then top it off and your done!

Answer 2

Under the radiator,there is a T handle looking plug. Turn it counter clock-wise. Make sure the engine is cold and the radiator cap is off. Put a large flat container,under the plug to collect the run-off. If it has antifreeze. Please do not let it drain on the ground. It goes in the water supply. Dispose of it properly. Antifreeze taste sweet, and pet,s or stray thirsty animals or birds like to drink it. It is poisonous. Leave drain open, and put a hose in radiator to flush out the radiator. Close plug. They sell radiator flush at the auto parts store. They also can show you where everything is. And how to do it. Good luck and be care full.

Answer 3

Most people forget one thing.

Yes there is a nut easy to find at the bottom corner of the radiator usauly facing outward not downward. Some do not screw all the way out, only enough to drain. Cap and fill or run flush and drain again.

MOST IMPORTANT
Leave your filler cap open and run the car for a few minutes. you will see the system burping up bubbles. If you do not do this there is a likely chance to get them stuck in your system and cause major overheating.

Answer 4

Older radiators might have a tap at the bottom that can be opened to drain.
I usually remove the radiator cap, take of the clamp off the bottom rubber pipe and let the water out, then take the hose and rinse the radiator through the cap's opening.
When the water that comes out is clear, i fill the radiator after putting the cap and the bottom pipe back.
i also check all the rubber pipes for condition at the same time.
Use anti-freeze in the radiator water, it stops corrosion and prevents the radiator water freezing in cold conditions.

Answer 5

First you remove the top cap, then you find the drain plug on the bottom called a petcock. It looks like a wing nut. Twist it counter clockwise until fluid flows vigorously. When fluid stops flowing turn petcock clockwise until tight. Refill radiator & replace cap. CAUTION; ONLY DO THIS WHEN ENGINE IS COLD OR RISK SERIOUSE BURNS!!

Answer 6

there's a little petcock (a little valve) at the bottom of the radiator, you open that and let it drain . . and then close it again (turn it right or left (counterclockwise or clockwise) to tighten it again. . (the opposite of the way you opened it. . and then fill up the radiator again.. with a sol'n of half antifreeze and half water. .

Answer 7

Make sure you keep any cat away from drinking any antifreeze! They love the sweet taste, but drinking it will kill them.

Note: do NOT run the car when your car has drained. The guy above is WRONG. You might end up destroying your engine forever and evermore. Unless you want to buy another car.

Answer 8

either take the bottom nose llose or there is a valve at the bottom of the radiator turn it is should drain if its not clogged

Answer 9

You really should buy a flush kit or just get a pro flush-n-fill. The engine block / heat exchanger can hold quite a bit of dirty coolant.

Answer 10

go to the radiator service