Radiator drain plug access

[hal keiner]

I am trying to drain the coolant from the radiator for the first time. I checked the projects section of this website and also seached the forums and did not find anything describing the actual procedure for draining the coolant. Perhaps this step is so easy and obvious that it is not covered. For me, I am a bit uncertain on the best way to do this so I thought I would ask.



I see what appears to be the drain plug at the bottom drivers side corner of the radiatior. There is a plastic "shield", however, that goes along the bottom of the radiator, which restricts easy access to the drain plug. It appears that this shield would also block the flow of coolant downwards from the drain plug straight into a container. Also, there does not seem to be a place on the drain plug end to attach a flexible hose to direct the flow of coolant around the shield when draining.



It seems to me that if I loosen the drain plug, the coolant would drain down onto the shield below the drain plug and run towards the front of the shield (about 10 inches forward) and then drain down. Is it better to leave the shield in place and let the coolant drain along the shield or should the shield be removed before draining the coolant?



Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Todd Z]

4 10mm bolts

3 8mm



Remove the shield. It is the easiest way



Todd Z

 

[hal keiner]

I took off the shield and can see that there is a drain nipple between the drain nut and the radiator housing for connecting a tube for draining. Your advice saved me from doing it the hard way and also from making a mess if I had drained the coolant without first removing the shield.



Thanks for the quick reply.



Regards

 

[Todd Z]