Radiator drain plug

[Mapper]

Did a search but couldn't find what I'm looking for and am hoping someone will shed some light on my question. Is the drain plug on the radiator supposed to come all the way out? Or does it simply open enough to drain the radiator? The '02 Cruiser is a new addition to the garage and I'm still learning about it. And, by the way, this is my first posting as I am also new here.

[Hooligan]

Welcome Mapper to the Forum. Most of the drain plugs I have seen drain out of the hole in the plug itself. You could remove the whole plug if you wanted and if you do use some silicone tape like you use for plumbing making sure you don't cover the side holes.

[Mapper]

Thanks, Hooligan. Just the info I needed. The plug would twist around and around but wouldn't come out and I wasn't sure if I should pull on it to remove it. But, since the coolant was coming out, I simply left it alone and waited for it to drain.
My next project is tranny fluid and filter change. That looks pretty straightforward, but I always give myself extra time on a new project.
Then, it's on to plugs and wires, but that looks like a PITA. Oh well, it's got to be done and I love learning new things, even at my age. Maybe next weekend.
I am so thankful that I have a heated garage to play in here in NE PA. Negative 9 here this A.M.

[CREWZIN]

Mapper,

Sounds like your doing a great job of Preventative Maintenance. If I may suggest. The tranny fluid change. If you haven't done it before then I would suggest a flush rather than the pan drop and filter change. Your only getting about a 4 quart change with the pan drop whereas your around 14 quarts with the flush because you get all the fluid. The 41te transaxle isn't the best thing anybody ever made so spending some more $$ on the whole change could make a big difference in the life of it. It's not a do-it-yourself job but well worth it.

On the plugs and wire change. There's a great guide that we put in as a stick on the "Tech and Performance " part of the forum (the part we are in now). It's for the plug change of a 2001 so if yours is a different year just forget abut the EGR pipe that it talks about. It's really not hard to do.

[Mapper]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

Mapper,


On the plugs and wire change. There's a great guide that we put in as a stick on the "Tech and Performance " part of the forum (the part we are in now). It's for the plug change of a 2001 so if yours is a different year just forget abut the EGR pipe that it talks about. It's really not hard to do.

That's an excellent article. The pictures make it very clear. I'm now more confident on how to go about it. I'll be doing a search here on popular plugs and wires to replace the original ones with.
About the tranny flush. Did you mistype? Is that 14 (fourteen) quarts needed for a flush?? If so, why so many? Do you know how the mechanics go about it? Whew! 14 quarts of RedLine tranny fluid is a might big expense. Please elaborate if you have a chance. TIA.

[crusierdad76]

well I can tell you how they do it----well at the shop i used to work at it may be way different now---and I think 14 is the correct number
We used to tap into the tranny lines that run to the radiator,
one is a push and one is return,
we would start the car and as the fluid was pushed out the line we would refill the tranny with new fluid.
I really have no idea why the fluids did not mix something about the specific gravity of the new vs the old but it did not mix and when it was all said and done you have all the fluid changed
( we did usually change the filter before hooking up the lines and yes you loose like 3-4- quarts but since you are changing it anyway ti didn't matter)

and the proper Fluid is ATF +4 I think but don't worry some one will come along and correct me if I am wrong

[CREWZIN]

If you drop just the pan to change the fluid you only get about 4 quarts. The other 10 are in the Torque Converter and it can only be changed altogether with a flushing machine. They also throw a can/bottle of cleaner in first to get out all the bad "stuff" before filling the Converter and pan back up.

Only use ATF+4 trans fluid or the new Synthetic fluid (I was told it was ATF+5). Yes, it's more expensive than just dropping the pan and can run about $100, even more of course for the synthetic.

The filter in the pan is a metal wire mesh and I was told the flush can clean that out too so no need for a filter change with a flush.

Now to tell the truth. When I found out the filter wasn't changed when I had the flush with Synthetic, I had them drop the pan anyway and put in a new filter. It cost me for 4 extra quarts of synthetic plus a filter and pan gasket but I felt better. Probably a waste of money but ....you can't take it with you.

[Torashi]

Hi!
I'm trying to drain the antifreeze out of the radiator. When I turn the drain plug. It turns a 1/2 turn til a white mark. No fluid comes out. Do I keep trying to force it to turn counter clock wise or am I supposed to pull on it? I'm just affraid it might break off since it's plastic.
Thanx in advance.
(2002 pt cruiser - limited-automatic)

[Travis2k7]

Originally Posted by CREWZIN

Mapper,

Sounds like your doing a great job of Preventative Maintenance. If I may suggest. The tranny fluid change. If you haven't done it before then I would suggest a flush rather than the pan drop and filter change. Your only getting about a 4 quart change with the pan drop whereas your around 14 quarts with the flush because you get all the fluid. The 41te transaxle isn't the best thing anybody ever made so spending some more $$ on the whole change could make a big difference in the life of it. It's not a do-it-yourself job but well worth it.

Agreed.

That's the first thing I did after I bought mine in March... $150 on a full tranny flush.

Car has been great over the last 5500 miles.

[Knotsobright1]

Originally Posted by Torashi

Hi!
I'm trying to drain the antifreeze out of the radiator. When I turn the drain plug. It turns a 1/2 turn til a white mark. No fluid comes out. Do I keep trying to force it to turn counter clock wise or am I supposed to pull on it? I'm just affraid it might break off since it's plastic.
Thanx in advance.
(2002 pt cruiser - limited-automatic)

No... If you turn the drain plug and nothing comes then there is some material inside the radiator. I just had to replace mine because it started overheating and the radiator was full of crap. Just curious what color is the anti-freeze currently?