Coolant change

[icemanting]

I got a 2005 futura and I tried to change my coolant this afternoon. But I didn't find the valve to drain the old coolant.
Can someone please tell me how to find that valve or tab??

thank u

[Mechan1k]

There should be one on the bottom of the radiator ... i think on the passenger side pointing back towards the engine ... they are only plastic ... so be careful.

If that doesn't work or you can't find it ... drop the bottom radiator hose ... it expells the old stuff much quicker.

[icemanting]

By the way, do I need to worry about the valve on the engine? A friend told me that I need to open the valve on the engine to completely remove the water. If it is necessary, where do i find it?
Cheers!!!

[JC]

Originally Posted by icemanting

By the way, do I need to worry about the valve on the engine? A friend told me that I need to open the valve on the engine to completely remove the water. If it is necessary, where do i find it?
Cheers!!!

That "valve" was on one of the bolts on the thermostat housing on the old 4.1s as found in XD, XE etc (IIRC). These days, as long as you run the engine while you refill it, and let it get to operating temp, leaving the overflow bottle lid off, then the air should bubble it's way out of the system - there is no separate valve as such.

[sly]

Back when I were a lad and British Verticals ruled the highways and byways of the Empire, it was common for engines to have drain taps on the block at the lowest point of the water jacket to ensure complete drainage. I think this is the "valve" he means rather than a bleed valve. AFAIK there is none.

I normally drain, refill with clean water, run the engine up to operating temp and drain again a couple of times, disconnecting and reconnecting the bottom hose at the radiator as required. Make sure the heater is turned full on to flush out the core.

When refilling, JC's instructions above are spot on.

[waggaclint]

Originally Posted by icemanting

By the way, do I need to worry about the valve on the engine? A friend told me that I need to open the valve on the engine to completely remove the water. If it is necessary, where do i find it?
Cheers!!!

i think he means a drain bung in the block..(yes this is the best way to get all coolant out) most engine blocks have em (normally they are really tight and hard to remove) not sure were on a BA but mate if it has one it will be located somewere low on the block....

[scottc]

careful you dont let the coolant dump on your grass, the only nice green bit I had died from glycol poisoning! Dammit!