radiator drain plug "issues"

[TurboStreetCar]

ok i searched around and i dont kno maybe its just me but does anyone else have a problem draining the coolant and actualy getting any in the drain bucket? cause for some reason my car likes to spray it everywhere as far as behind the front tire. that little whilte piece of plastic has to be one of toyotas worse inventions ever. i understand the principle behind it and if it worked as designed it would be really nice, but itdoesnt and it makes more of a mess then if i just put a bolt in it.

is there any replacements out there for this? like a standard brass petcock that might fit???? id rather pop a radiator hose off them open that damn thing, its more comtrollable by pulling off a hose.

 

[Steve_N]

Yea, you can get a metel one. You will find them at Pep Boys, Autozone etc. I found mine in the "help" section. Better replace it now befor it dries out & breaks off in the Rad.

 

[iwannadie]

havent had any problems with mine. ive used it a few times to drain and its slow but doesnt make a mess at all. you didnt unscrew it all the way right? just a few turns until fluid drips Down and your good to go.

 

[BorHor]

I remember when I did mine there was a tiny hose on the drain. That helped control the splatter.

 

[Nick M]

The original author's is not an original Toyota draincock. Toyota has a small nipple with a short hose haning out the bottom of the under cover. That is why the hole is there. I am guessing the hose and original draincock is long gone.

 

[starscream5000]

^Lol, you said "draincock".

I've always found that taking the lower hose off is easier for me and faster. I've done it enough times between mine and my cousin's supra that I rarely make a mess .

 

[Red Dragon]

Like Nick said.... mine has the plastic tube that is below the plug, so you unscrew it almost to the end, and then the fluid drains via the tube... never had any problems, but it does take a while.... go find the tube that is supposed to be there.

 

[starscream5000]

This is how I drain mine and my cousin's radiator fluid: Go get a large oil drain pan, place it right under the radiator where the bottom hose conects, loosen up the hose, gently wiggle it (or forcefully if it's been a while since it's last been off) till it's almost off, hold the oil drain pan right up under the hose and radiator, pull off the radiator hose and immediately point it down into the pan, lower the pan to the ground and let it drain out.

 

[racingtoyota007]

mine was retarded, it didnt work right either. lol.

 

[TurboWarrior]

control the flow with the rad cap. It drains slower but wont make a mess.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/EPC/291220/catalog.aspx?Figure=1603&Page=3

thats the same setup i have, doesnt look like theres a hose or anything, maybe im an early 89 so it wasnt equiped with it????

idk i didnt unscrew it fully at first, but it was dripping at about 1 drip per 2 seconds and that wasnt cutting it, only way i could make it go faster was unscrewing it a little more nad making a giant mess. it was full speed or drip thats it.

do u happen to remember thepart # on the metal one you got steve??

 

[Nick M]

I would go to the Toyota parts counter and order the good one. Parts do change over the years.

 

[black91turbo]

hey guys! while we are on the topic...how much coolant do our cars noramally hold?? Because I just changed out a few turbo coolant lines and the thermostat and there was a considerable amount that drained out. Initially i did not want to drain the radiator because i thought there would not be that much in the lines but i was WRONG!!! help is always appreciated!!! thanks :icon_bigg