
03 Aug 2016, 12:46 am
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Young Cruiser
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 65
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Re: How do you drain the anti-freeze from 2002 PT Cruiser?
I just drained my radiator this past weekend in my 2005 PT several times, distilled water flushed until clear, then filled with Zerex HOAT G-05. I have the exact same Dorman replacement drain plug pictured assuming I would need it but didn't. The drain plug is tight in the radiator in a vertical position, I used a squirt of WD40 on initial removal, used channel lock pliers to turn counter-clockwise. About 2 full turns then pulling out with light pressure the drain plug came out cleanly.
I then removed the radiator cap to release any back pressure. Also to make life easier following a tip I found online, used a floor jack to raise the passenger side of the PT behind the front tire. It greatly increased the flow & got the fluid into the pan instead of draining all along the bottom edge of the radiator. Removing the lower radiator hose didn't yield any additional fluid removal, just fyi. I flushed with distilled water about 4x, running the car for about 10 mins each time with the heat & fan on high to clean out the heater core as well, then allowing to cool about an hour or two, or overnight depending. Only after 1st time minimal tiny pieces of debris came out, so didn't use the Zerex Flush I had bought, as my coolant system seemed pretty clean. After 4th distilled water flush I was sure anything more would have been overkill, system was clean & clear of old coolant. During refills making sure to drain air out of purge valve on thermostat housing assembly is a must, a lot of trapped air. Multiple fluid level checks since, no leaks anywhere or missing fluid.
So long story short, I have a spare drain valve & original wasn't damaged totally removing & replacing several times. I used the channel locks to replace the drain plug each time, requires firm but not too much pressure turning clockwise while pushing back into place. Hopefully this helps, good luck.
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 2005 PT GT Convertible HO Turbo Autostick ~ black/black leather ~ 53,000 miles ~ summer-only driver ~ OEM rear sway bar ~ K&N 57 series CAI ~ 4-wheel ABS ~ Hawk Sector 27 drilled/slotted rotors ~ Hawk Performance Ceramic pads ~ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Wide-Oval performance tires ~
Last edited by DroptopPTGTCruizer; 03 Aug 2016 at 01:37 am.
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