99 gtp radiator won't drain

I'm trying to replace my condenser and I've ran into a problem. I located the drain valve on the radiator, turned it, and nothing is draining out. This is my first time attempting this so I'm not quite sure what I'm doing wrong. I pulled the radiator cap off and notice it was all gunked with what looked like oil. Is it possible its plugged down at the bottom of the drain valve? If so, what do I do from here?


Thanks

No, it turns, then you need to use your finger nail, or a tiny screwdriver to pry it outwards. Just be genlt.

Is it possible its plugged down at the bottom of the drain valve? If so, what do I do from here?


Yes it is possible. Try flushing the radiator. It may free the sludge up so you can get coolant out of the radiator drain.

Is the plug supposed to be removed or just turned and pulled out a bit? I turned it about 1/4 and it popped out a little.

It can come out completely if you use too much force. Just turn 1/4" counterclockwise and it pops out a bit. Just enough to allow coolant to drain. See link below located at our Tips & Maintenance subforum.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=935938

Yeah thats what i referenced but nothing came out. Also my valve is flat and i can turn it with my hand... its a bit different than the one in the picture. How do i get this coolant friggin coolant out? I want a/c I need my condenser out asap too hottt.

My g/f's car has a stripped petcock on the radiator. Some idiot before she bought it rounded it off.

To drain her coolant I've been popping off the lower radiator hose. It does that same thing as opening the radiator drain petcock.

It does that same thing as opening the radiator drain petcock.

much faster and less of a bi*ch. its how i do it also...

What if his radiator is clogged with Dex-cool (Dex-crap) or what appears to be combustion by-products based on what he is saying?

I would flush the radiator or at least get the issue as to why the drain is not working resolved.

Would it be possible to use like a piece of solid copper wire to unclog the drain on the radiator.

Well tomorrow after work Im gonna go to town on it not caring if i break the valve lol. If i cant get it to drain properly I will just go with the bottom hose. I noticed you guys said dexcrap.. do you guys use something else than what is recommended? I went ahead and bought some dexcool w/o water and I was going to use that then fill the container up with water makin my own 50/50.

Do you use anything other than the recommended Dexcool?
About how much coolant/water will it take to fill?


Thankss

you can convert to green coolant. all you have to do is make sure all the dexcool is out before filling with green coolant.

to make sure all the green coolant is out...just put a running hose into the radiator and let the car run for a little bit while letting the water drain out. of course make sure to clean out the reservoir real good also, and change the T-stat while your in there.

If it is that gunked up......I'd go with a new radiator and have piece of mind. 10 years old now. When was it last flushed? O'Rielly's has one for around $170.


That "oil"...could be transmission fluid? How's the level of that?

Good point lefty!

Dex-cool (aka dexcrap) IMO does just fine. I have left it in all my GM cars and the only cooling system issues I have had is LIM gasket leaks (due to faulty design). See my recent post.

If you do switch over, like Jerad said, make sure and thourougly flush all the old dex-cool out or they two can react and sludge up.

Also, I usually mix dex-cool 50/50 with a gallon of distilled water instead of regular tap water. (just what I do)

Well good news I got my radiator to drain i just had to get rough with the plastic valve. I didnt want to because I always have a tendency to break plastic pieces but oh well. Well as I was removing my radiator i noticed that my stock tranny line cooler was leakin?... so i bought a new one... When i replace this line the fluid is going to drain... what all should i do? Drain new fluid new filter?

You will lose some fluid out of the tranny line, but not a lot, and you shouldn't have to do a complete drain and pan drop.

Well I finally have some good news... I was able to replace my condenser, drier, and compressor saving myself a big chunk of change. What's even better is that after the vacuum and recharge a week later I STILL HAVE COLD A/C!! Thanks to everyone that gave me advice!

Glad to hear it, it is always nice to be able to do it yourself. I was at Sam's club the other day and a 30Lb tank of R134A is around $85.00.

Sams sells R134a? Thats funny. Whats a 5gallon drum of crude oil cost?

You can also buy the small 12 ounce cans of R134a too. As far as the 5 gallon of crude oil that still remains as an unknown.