What happens when you open the radiator valve on a car?
This heat can pressurize the fluid in the radiator, causing it to expel extremely hot steam or coolant that can burn you. Wait until the radiator is cool enough to touch before opening any caps or valves. Depending on how long ago the car was running, you may need to wait a few hours before it’s cool enough.
What’s the best way to drain radiator fluid?
The draining of your radiator fluid will likely require jacking the car up, so it’s imperative that you find a level surface to park the car on before you get started. Try to use concrete or blacktop, as gravel or dirt driveways may not provide adequate support for the jack or jack stands once the car is lifted off of its wheels.
What should I do if my radiator is leaking coolant?
Ensure you do not allow the coolant to drain onto the ground or into a drain. Coolant must be disposed of properly in order to protect the environment and adhere to the law. Close the drain valve and open the radiator pressure cap. Once the radiator is drained, close the valve or replace the drain cock.
Where is the drain valve on a radiator?
A radiator drain petcock is usually located above the bottom of the radiator. So even if you can open it, you’re not draining the radiator completely. That’s why shops always remove the lower radiator hose. That drains the entire radiator AND most of the coolant from the engine.
Why is the drain valve on my radiator cracking?
3) You crack the tank. Keep in mind that the newer coolants are long life chemistries, so you’re probably not changing coolant for 5 or 10 years. The plastic tanks on modern radiator can get brittle and crack if you apply twisting stress to the drain valve. Why risk damaging a perfectly good radiator.
What’s the difference between plastic and brass radiator drain valves?
The valve, called a petcock, has changed since the old days when it was made from brass with a “T” handle. The new drain valves are plastic and are a twist-lock design—if the radiator has one. Plastic radiator drain valve petcock or “drain cock.” And that’s the point; most car makers have eliminated the radiator drain valve from their radiators.
How long does it take to drain a radiator?
All the coolant from the radiator and lower part of the engine drains out quickly using that technique. Then the mechanic simply reinstalls the lower radiator hose and refills the system. The entire drain procedure takes about 5-mins. But what if your radiator has a drain valve?