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Engine block drain location


ka9mgd
08-29-2022, 01:20 PM
Can anybody tell me where the coolant block drain plug is on a 3800 vin k 96 Buick Park avenue?I have looked everywhere accept behind the starter.Is that where the plug is hiding?

Stealthee
08-29-2022, 04:04 PM
There isn't an actual block drain. Most people just remove the knock sensors if they want to do a total drain. Many suggest against that though just because it is a PITA.

Blue Bowtie
08-30-2022, 08:50 AM
If this is being done to drain/flush/fill a cooling system, the final flush with clear water and a drain of the radiator is usually sufficient. The remaining water, presumed clean, can be left in the block and coolant concentrate can be added to get the proper mix ratio.

If this is being done to clean the block of residual solids, the only recourse is to pull the detonation sensors as Stealthee suggests, since those are installed in the ports formerly used as drains. The risk is in potential damage to the sensors in removal and installation since they can be easily damaged by excessive torque - Yes, that "microphone" in the sensor is that sensitive.

An alternate would be to pop out a freeze plug, but that would be an even bigger can of worms.

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