Resolved: Coolant flush - only a few drops from driver side block drain

I'm doing multiple flushes to get rid of the bad green antifreeze

I've got the heater valve open. I drain the radiator fully. Then drained from the passenger side block drain. Next when I did the driver side block it only dribbled for a minute

it only held about 7 (edit must have been closer to 10 since I have flushed twice and used 5 gallons) quarts of fluid counting the reservoir. I know you can't get it all, but that is much less than I was expecting (sounds more normal after rechecking after the 2nd flush)

I ran the engine for a while with the heater running at full operating temperature. Still a lot of green, but overall mostly pink

So on my second drain, I did the radiator then I did the driver side first expecting more than before instead I got the same drip. Then on to passenger side which did the same as before

This just doesn't seem normal. Could I have some sort of blockage on the driver's side?

 

I feel your pain. Those block drains are hard to get at. They almost didn't feel worth it to me, since I was just trying to get as much old coolant out as possible without doing a full flush. My truck at least has had regular changes/flushes and always used red coolant. But multiple times while I was working on those block drains I considered "is this really worth it?"...

Unless you're parked on a slant, it seems like they should drain more or less equally. Mine mostly did. Not sure how you check those things for obstructions. It's hard enough to see them, get a wrench on them, much less inspect them.

 

10mm socket on an extension makes it fairly easy

 

Mine drained fairly quickly in both sides. Maybe jam a small screwdriver into the drain and see if there’s some sort of dirt blockage?

 

mine were shockingly easy to get to. Of course I have taken my skid plate off. Really was not an issue at all. I was able to access both of them directly under the engine Especially easier now that is lifted 2 inches so it doesn't have to be jacked up to get it under there

I could have been at a slight angle. I wouldn't think it big enough to cause this But I may reverse the way I park for the next flush to confirm one way or the other

 

Yeah, mine were very easy to get to

 

I am definitely going to try that thanks.

 

Try pushing a pipe cleaner up the drain spout.

 

Great idea.

Do they even make pipe cleaners anymore? Lol probably for arts and crafts projects because I don't think I've seen someone smoke a pipe in 30 years or more

 

Huh. Could just be me, could be you're 2wd and have less obstructions up there. My skid plate was definitely off. I had to work my arm over/through/under multiple obstructions, and could never both see and touch the drains at the same time. I'd have move around to find the angle I could see them from, then jam my arm in there in the direction I saw them and fumble around blindly, trying to get a socket or wrench on them.

Anyway glad you don't have the same trouble.

 

thanks yes must be because I'm 2WD. I was absolutely dreading it, and it turned out to be for absolutely no reason

 

RESOLVED


I ended up using several Q-tips. Tried with no success from the drain spout. Had to unscrew the bolt to get to the blockage due to sludge




This time I did the driver's side first. I got a pretty fair amount from both sides, so I'm sure that kept my flush from being quite as effective, but I'm doing multiple flushes anyway due to the green coolant that was put in previously

 

glad you got it, i have to do mine this summer

 

Lol 4x4 can suck it!

 

If you're not a bot say potato.