'87 Buick 3.8l : Coolant Drain Plug Location?

[Touring5]

I have a 1987 Buick Century with the 3.8 V-6. In the next couple of weeks I'll do a coolant flush & fill, and was wondering if there is an engine coolant drain plug. In the past I've just opened the radiator drain and used a Prestone hose adapter to flush out the system - but I've never bothered to look for a engine block plug.

Does anyone know it there is one and where it is located?

(I suppose it might not matter - after 20 years the thing may be impossible to break free, especially if it's in some secret hidden location

)

 

[dwendt44]

I just loosen the lower radiator hose, and partially remove it from radiator. Messy, but it works.
Many GM radiators have a plastic(hard to see) drain plug in the lower drivers side corner of radiator.

 

[rationull]

This should probably be in the maintenance forum.

Not sure if this helps but the AutoZone repair guide for that car (in the Routine Maintenance -> Fluids and Lubricants -> Cooling System section) has:

8. Remove the drain plug(s) from the engine block (located on the engine block, above the engine oil pan) and allow the coolant to drain.

So while "on the engine block above the engine oil pan" is pretty general, that seems to indicate that there is a block drain plug, if that guide is correct.

 

[rationull]

BTW, I'm referring to the online repair guide freely accessable at autozone.com, not a chilton's manual or anything. Don't have one of those around for the buick 3.8 anymore

 

[Touring5]

I did see that online (thanks for the mention, though). "Above the Oil Pan" was too vague for me. I think I'll probably just forget about the engine drain plug. It's an old car, a very nice beater - but has been dangerous to work on (sheet metal screw points within inches of the oil filter, very sharp edges near the oil drain plug) and I'm not giving it another chance to cut me up

 

[The_Jeff]

Quote:

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...has been dangerous to work on (sheet metal screw points within inches of the oil filter, very sharp edges near the oil drain plug) and I'm not giving it another chance to cut me up

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When you go to do the rear spark plug wires, you'll probably want to put duct tape on the tin shield on the firewall. Pull, yank, pull, yank, oowwwww!