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#1
02-21-2016, 11:11 PM
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Radiator drain valve - is it broken or do I need a special tool?
I was looking into how to change the coolant on my Intrigue, and managed to find the radiator drain valve at the bottom of the radiator on the drivers side. However, according to the manual, it seems like there should be a knob that can be twisted with fingers, but all I can see is a white, about 1/2 inch piece of plastic with a notch in the middle, and a small maybe 5-6mm hole going straight into it.
Did the knob break off? Do I need a special tool to twist it open? I tried to put a pair of pliers on it to open it, but was unsuccessful as I could not get a good grip on the knob. If I jacked the car up and took the wheel off on that side, I think I might be able to get more leverage. Thanks!
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'99 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.5L V6, 160,000 miles 
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#2
02-22-2016, 08:49 AM
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Re: Radiator drain valve - is it broken or do I need a special tool?
On mine the hole in it is a for a 1/4 drive. I use a small 1/4 drive extension and ratchet to remove.
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| The Following User Says Thank You to brian_k24 For This Useful Post: | ||
Steelwheel (03-02-2016)
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#3
02-22-2016, 10:00 AM
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Re: Radiator drain valve - is it broken or do I need a special tool?
I don't trust plastic drain valves- If it breaks- you are SOL-and they can also be hard to reseal - So I always just pull off lower radiator hose (for coolant replacement) or siphon out what I can for minor repairs.....
Think about it- been there done that....
__________________
Automotive A/C Engineer with: '99 IH 4700 Toy Hauler (2) '95 GEO Prizms both maroon '99 GMC Yukon '95 Chev 3500, 454 Dually Crew Cab- 145k miles- Wife's Camel trailer puller. '94 Astro- 370k miles '94 Firebird Formula- 5.7L 180k miles- gone- '92 Chevy Lumina Van 3.8L 264k '86 GMC S-15 - 2.8L 154k '87 Buick Park Ave . 187k '86 Buick Park Ave 3.8L 199k miles- gone '77 Chevy Vega- 2.5L 175k miles gone but not forgotten '68 Camaro 396 4 spd RS/SS -72k miles-
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| The Following User Says Thank You to brcidd For This Useful Post: | ||
Steelwheel (03-02-2016)
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#4
02-22-2016, 10:02 AM
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Re: Radiator drain valve - is it broken or do I need a special tool?
Steelwheel -
This thread from the past may help: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...nt+drain+block Hope this link posts correctly.
__________________
2000 Olds Intrigue GLS, 3.5l 270,000 miles
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| The Following User Says Thank You to fhofstra For This Useful Post: | ||
Steelwheel (03-02-2016)
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#5
03-02-2016, 02:18 AM
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Re: Radiator drain valve - is it broken or do I need a special tool?
Quote:
__________________
'99 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.5L V6, 160,000 miles
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#6
03-03-2016, 05:59 PM
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Re: Radiator drain valve - is it broken or do I need a special tool?
I'm not real fond of the plastic drain valve, but I have used it for 18 yrs and multiple coolant flushes on 4 vehicles with minimal issues. I did have one valve that was broken off (purchased vehicle used) and had to replace it. That was only a few dollars at the store.
Try working the valve back and forth some and it should work loose, then you can replace it with a new one.
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