need to replace upper radiator hose 2001

[blackknife]

My Mom's 2001 Alero v6 was leaking coolant today. I thought it was because of the catch bottle & cap agin, but I found what looked like a slice from a utility knife in the upper hose on the driver side. I've gone ahead and ordered the hoses (thought I'd do both while I was at it) from Advance, and I will pick them up tomorrow morning. I thought I'd do a little research as I've never drained this radiator, and I'm reading the PLASTIC drain cock is on the drivers side of the radiator, and I'll need a torx bit to turn it a quarter turn, and pull it out slightly. I just want to make sure I'm not going to get in over my head. I plan on draining it, changing the hoses, and putting new coolant back in. Any advise, or tips? Also what size torx bit do I need? I think I read a T15, but I'd like to be sure.

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

[Tech II]

Since you are replacing both hoses, you don't have to mess with the drain......remove the pressure cap from the reservoir....remove the clamp on the lower radiator hose.......put a large pan under it, and when you remove the hose from the radiator, it will drain......

The hard part is burping the system when you refill it......you don't want any any air pockets...they will cause an overheating condition....use 50/50 solution.....

[blackknife]

thanks. I did it this morning. It looks like my mechanic broke the front part of the drain plug off, but the rest of it was intact. I bought a spare drain plug for 6 bucks while I was at advance, but since the old one still worked, I didn't want to open a can of worms in changing it out. I used a ¼" ratchet extension to turn it. Drained it, changed the hoses, and put the coolant back in. I let it run until the thermostat opened and added the rest, and topped it off with about a pint of 50-50. It seems to be fine. I took it for a hard test drive and it's maintaining temp very well.Thanks for the advise!