Crazy Draincock!!

I was attempting to flush my radiator today since my low coolant light has been flashing. Intake gaskets look ok and were replaced 50,000 ago when I had 50,000 miles on it so HOPEFULLY that is not the problem! Anyway I can turn the draincock but nothing comes out of the the bloody contraption! Nothing else works on the van so whey shoud the draincock??LOL! The draincock is shaped funny so maybe some weird tool opens it?? Nothing in my service manual explains how to open it. Any advice? Thanks!!

You would be better off removing the lower hose. Even if you where to get the petcock open and draining there is a possibility of it leaking. Removing the lower hose will accomplish the same thing (although it can be a bit messier) and you know when the clamp is back on and tight that it will probably seal back up.

Yes, I was going to pull the lower hose as a last resort. It does look a lot messier to do. The Draincock had me stumped and was just wondering how to open the bugger up. Thanks!

Having the radiator cap off helps it to drain, turn 1/4 turn and pull out at the same time, otherwise pull the lower hose.

I vaguely remember having to slide an allen key up through the hole in the bottom of the radiator support and loosen it that way. It might depend on the year or i have the wrong car. Anyway my low coolent sensor quite years ago. I imagine the gunk that build up everywhere else built up on the sensor so it just quit. Its actually mounted in the radiator a few inches below the cap. I just unplugged the sensor so the light would go out. For years cars never needed this light you just need to remember to check it.