Block drain 2.2

[kenyonja2007]

I am currently in the process of changing the cylinder head (because the old one cracked, which I am told is a common problem) and I need to change the engine fluid. I have a repair manual, but it only gives a small blurb as to where the block drain is. I can't find it just by their description of "under the exhaust manifold". Anybody have any suggestions? Could I just remove the lowest outlet on the block and it would all drain out? Where is that damn plug?

[mike1224]

do you mean oil drain plug??

[kenyonja2007]

Sorry, my wording was unclear. I meant the radiator fluid, or coolant. I am thinking that maybe the bolt is very close or right on the lowest outlet that is under the exhaust manifold. Maybe that outlet is in the lowest part of the water jacket and if I take it off all the water will come out. I am not sure.

[mike1224]

ok, for the coolant, the only one that comes to mind is on the radiator block. on the right side, reach all the way down, alone the edge of the radiator, way at the botton, its kinda like a "wing-nut" turn it to the left ( i believe) it takes a little bit of twisting at first, but after that you're good. It just needs enough of a turn (obviously) for the coolant to come out. good luck and happy flushing

[xtrememeasures10]

how many miles are you at? is it a cracked headgasket or head. im at 103k and i sure hope i dont have to do a headgasket for a long time. I tried to take a peak underneith my exhaust didnt see anything that looked like a drain. so is it suppose 2 drain the coolant so you dont get it in your cylinders when you pull off the head?

[kenyonja2007]

mike- I have already got that drain, but that only gets the fluid out of the radiator, and there is still plenty in the water jackets around the cylinders.You were right in thinking that this drain I am trying to find, draining it before pulling the head, will prevent the fluid from going into the cylinders. But now that I have the head off, it is sitting in the water jackets. I will go home (I am currently at college now, which is why this is such an inconvenience), and check out my idea about the lowest outlet.
xtreme- I have a '94 with the 2.2, and the truck has 61000 miles. I have a friend that owned a '95, same engine, that had the cylinder head gasket go at the same amount of miles, which leads me to believe it is a common problem (in addition to the fact that he told me he knows it is common). I believe I read on another forum that chevy finally put out some sort of recall on the problem in '97, but I am not sure.

[xtrememeasures10]

Originally Posted by kenyonja2007

mike- I have already got that drain, but that only gets the fluid out of the radiator, and there is still plenty in the water jackets around the cylinders.You were right in thinking that this drain I am trying to find, draining it before pulling the head, will prevent the fluid from going into the cylinders. But now that I have the head off, it is sitting in the water jackets. I will go home (I am currently at college now, which is why this is such an inconvenience), and check out my idea about the lowest outlet.
xtreme- I have a '94 with the 2.2, and the truck has 61000 miles. I have a friend that owned a '95, same engine, that had the cylinder head gasket go at the same amount of miles, which leads me to believe it is a common problem (in addition to the fact that he told me he knows it is common). I believe I read on another forum that chevy finally put out some sort of recall on the problem in '97, but I am not sure.

Right on for me. that sucks 2 be in your boat. They must have fixed it then cause mine is at 103k with the origional head gasket. How much of a pain is it to do? Like how much do you have to take off? I know i have a bad ring so i might rebuild my truck this summer. As far as the rest of the coolant. go get a new waterpump gasket. take off your water pump i know that will drain all of it out of the block. It did when i replaced my water pump. i know its a way that makes more work. but thats the only place i know that will let all the coolant out. i still cant find that drain plug that your looking for.

[kenyonja2007]

It's not a really big deal. You have to take off (this is in the order I did it) Intake tubes, valve cover, rockers and pushrods, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, then unbolt the cylinder head and you're done. The most difficult part is that you can't take the intake manifold off without removing the studs that mount it to the side of the cylinder head, because there is not enough room to slide it back off the studs, there are a few things in the way. Other than that it's a breeze. I'll take a look at options for draining the fluid when I get home. Thanks for the help.