1999 block drain???

[Ggradtech]

I'm replacing the radiator, hoses and t-stat on my 4runner. I looked and found a thread that mentioned a "block drain" on the passenger side. It's supposedly in front of the motor mount and behind the A.C. compressor. Well I did find a 13 or 14mm bolt there. I loosened it, removed it, and nothing came out. I also poked a thin screwdriver into the hole in case there was a film of rust preventing flow. Still nada. I drained about 10-12 its from the lower radiator petcock. Is there more antifreeze to come out of the block? I will also remove the old T-stat and replace that next before dropping in the new rad and hoses. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Kotrin]

I've done a few of them and never removed that bolt you are referencing. I normally just drain my radiator pull the hoses (try to catch as much as I can) and than start the work you're doing. Someone else might be able to chime in if they did it the way you described but I haven't personally on any of my 4Runner's or Toyota trucks. I would need to double check my FSM in regards to the official way to do it.

 

[thecole1098]

There's no need to drain the entire block. Some will come out when you do the tstat but not a lot since the radiator was already drained. That's where the majority of the coolant was.

 

[Kanoe]

My opinion is different. When I do the first flush on a newly acquired car or truck I always pull the block plug. I get enough sediment and liquid out of that low spot that I feel it is worth the extra 20 minutes work. I would say this is especially true if switching coolant types. Now that I have done a very good flush, I will not worry about the block drain moving forward.

I'd say it depends on which side of the OCD fence you fall on.