Help needed for draining/filling radiator

[wavinwayne]

I need you BITOGers' help, so I don't screw this up. I am not going to do a complete cooling system flush; I'm just going to drain & re-fill the radiator.

So, do any of you Ford guys know if the radiator in my '97 Expedition 4.6L has a drain plug on the bottom? There are some plastic panels that cover the bottom of the radiator, so without first removing them, I can't see if there is a drain plug or not.

Would it make more sense to just remove the lower radiator hose & drain it that way?

Lastly, when I re-fill the radiator with 50/50 coolant/distilled water, am I supposed to re-fill by pouring the new coolant into the overflow tank? Or do I remove the top radiator hose & pour the new coolant in there? There is no old-style radiator cap on the top of the radiator, so logic seems to point to filling through either the overflow tank or top radiator hose port.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wavinwayne]

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris142:
I recomend that you not mess with the drainplug. Often they won't seal again then you gotta find a new plug or even buy a new radiator.

Some newer Ford trucks don't use a regular hose clamp on the bottom hose. They use a clip, a twist and O-rings and theres no way to unhook that mess with the radiator still in the truck.

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Chris142,
If what you say is true & I'll assume it is, how am I supposed to drain the radiator?

 

[Ray H]

Your owner's manual may answer whether there's a drain plug on the radiator. Otherwise, remove the lower radiator hose from the radiator. If the overlow tank is above the engine and radiator when the vehicle is parked level, then refilling through the tank would be appropriate. If you're unsure what antifreeze/coolant to use, call the dealer. If the parts guy suggests the latest Ford syrup, colored pee-yellow, it's really the same as Zerex G-05*. Buying Zerex G-05 at Pep Boys for about $10.00/gallon will definitely be cheaper than going through the stealership. If you're told to use conventional, full-silicated green antifreeze, both Pep Boys and Autozone still carry that, too, under their own store brands - again it'll be a cheaper way to go than the Ford brand. Don't presume currently available green Prestone will be applicable to your system's needs - it's now an extended life product that's chemically similar to DEX-COOL, except for the marker dye used - may or may not be good for your Ford. (Ford's got issues that some of the extended-life corrosion inhibitors in non-G-05 type antifreeze/coolants may soften seals and gaskets - and Ford specifically warns against the use of DEX-COOL in their current models.)

*The Zerex G-05 is nearly water-clear - but it's still a full-strengh, extended life antifreeze/coolant concentrate that's chemically compatible with Ford's own extended life product and seals. It can be used as service fill for Chrysler (their's is dyed orange, but otherwise the same), Mercedes, and Ford products of at least the last 3 or 4 years. Many owners are using G-05 for non-listed makes with very good results, too. Ford, for whatever reason, hasn't officially endorsed their own extended life antifreeze/coolant, or the Zerex G-05, for older models originally filled with conventional antifreeze/coolant.

 

[Chris142]

I recomend that you not mess with the drainplug. Often they won't seal again then you gotta find a new plug or even buy a new radiator.

Some newer Ford trucks don't use a regular hose clamp on the bottom hose. They use a clip, a twist and O-rings and theres no way to unhook that mess with the radiator still in the truck.

 

[wavinwayne]

Ray H,

Thanks for the info. The Expy uses plain-jane conventional anti-freeze. I picked up some at the Ford dealer for $13/gallon.

I'm 99% sure it's the same stuff sold as Auto-zone & Pep Boys store brands.

 

[Chris142]

quote:

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Originally posted by wavinwayne:

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris142:

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Chris142,
If what you say is true & I'll assume it is, how am I supposed to drain the radiator?

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I just hate messing with drain plugs. Almost everytime I or a customer does it leaks. If the radiator is an aftermarket you won't ever find a replacement plug as every company uses a different design.

If it's the stock Ford radiator then a stealer can order one.

Does your lower hose use a normal hoseclamp? If it's the weird twisty setup the other end where it goes on the engine will have a regular clamp.

FWIW the water pump is a piece of cake. Depending on your miles maybe pull it to drain it and replace it while your there?

 

[tmorris1]

If it is like my 97 F150, then their is a drain on the bottom passenger side of the radiator. You fill the system through the overflow tank.