05-05-2021, 03:46 PM
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#1
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Solution to Messy Radiator Drain?
Calling on the collective knowledge of this forum to see if there's a better way to do this. Whenever I need to drain coolant (which is more often than most) the silly petcock sprays coolant absolutely everywhere. Has anyone found a solution to this? Maybe something that replaces the petcock with a drain instead?
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05-05-2021, 09:01 PM
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#2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gamefreakgc
Calling on the collective knowledge of this forum to see if there's a better way to do this. Whenever I need to drain coolant (which is more often than most) the silly petcock sprays coolant absolutely everywhere. Has anyone found a solution to this? Maybe something that replaces the petcock with a drain instead?
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I was puzzling over this not long ago. I even got a Fumoto valve of the correct thread pitch but the body of the valve was too big of an ID to fit down into the pocket the rubber washer goes into.
The original Toyota radiators had a good drain mechanism. But the replacement Densos are awful.
My best solution now is to hold a 3 gal bucket up over the drain and pull the plug, just let it fall in the bucket. Last time I did that I was able to catch all but a few drops. You have the raise the back of the bucket high because the stream shoots out right at the differential tube.
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05-05-2021, 09:03 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Feb 2021
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I always just pull the lower hose. Never trust petcocks on any vehicles.
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05-05-2021, 10:06 PM
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#4
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I save a few (3) empty one gallon distilled water jugs. Use a wide funnel into the jug. The height of the jug + funnel gets it near the drain plug. Catches every drop. It’s slow and you have to watch it to switch out the jug, but that’s not too much to ask. Then cap the jug, put it off to the side, and reuse the fluid when done. Unless you’re replacing and then I take it down to the recyc yard.
Last edited by turnstylz; 05-05-2021 at 10:12 PM.
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05-05-2021, 10:19 PM
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#5
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I hate antifreeze and getting on me.
It’s what it is though.
It always seems to make a mess. I remove the rad cap and slowly open the train petcock and when I see antifreeze I stop and let it take its time.
If I’m in a hurry I put a bucket under the lower rad hose and dump it.....
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05-05-2021, 10:37 PM
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#6
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Can always try draining from both sides of the engine block. There is a bolt that needs to be loosened to initiate flow.
There is also a hose barb on the block drain where you can fit a hose on it, and to a bucket.
And since that block drain is at the lowest point, it will drain almost all the coolant.
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05-06-2021, 09:09 AM
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gamefreakgc
Calling on the collective knowledge of this forum to see if there's a better way to do this. Whenever I need to drain coolant (which is more often than most) the silly petcock sprays coolant absolutely everywhere. Has anyone found a solution to this? Maybe something that replaces the petcock with a drain instead?
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this is also me... first step drain coolant, sigh.
I use a 5 gallon bucket from home depot, also get the top for the bucket and you can then safely re-use the coolant if it looks good. depending on your lift you might need to jack it up .75 ouagadougou's to get the bucket in the correct location.
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05-06-2021, 11:52 AM
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#8
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As suggested just pull the radiator hose, especially if you are flushing and doing several drain and refills.
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05-06-2021, 02:15 PM
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#9
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I have the "new" DENSO radiator that has the terrible petcock. I have kiddos and animals in my garage frequently so I hate the spray it makes all over the floor and dripping off the frame. Dang, looks like I'm the one who's going to need to find a solution then!
I tried the lower rad hose once and I missed the bucket. Now THAT made a mess!
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05-06-2021, 05:32 PM
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#10
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i fit a flexible vinyl tube (i think 1") around it to manage mischief. aimed it down into the bucket and then opened the petcock and after that opened the radiator cap. there's gotta be a better way but it kept it to a dull roar.
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05-07-2021, 04:36 AM
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#11
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I have the new Denso also I guess I’ll live through training it also.
Installed it with the new engine.
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05-07-2021, 06:03 AM
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#12
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i still have the original radiator. no problems with using the drain cock to drain the coolant.
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05-07-2021, 12:48 PM
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#13
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A form-a-funnel can sometimes be used to catch the pissing contest and get most of it down in the bucket...
-Charlie
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05-07-2021, 04:20 PM
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#14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
A form-a-funnel can sometimes be used to catch the pissing contest and get most of it down in the bucket...
-Charlie
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The hard part is when the dumb thing shoots a stream straight up and soaks everything within a 2ft radius. It's like a toddler learning to pee or something.
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05-07-2021, 05:07 PM
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#15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gamefreakgc
The hard part is when the dumb thing shoots a stream straight up and soaks everything within a 2ft radius. It's like a toddler learning to pee or something.
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I've got twin boys that are months away from potty training. Not looking forward to it, and I don't think my radiator draining experience will help! 
-Charlie
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