Radiator/Coolant question

[Jeffrey D.]

I've begun the process to replace my suspected faulty heater core, the problem for which I
posted about a week ago.

So the first step was to drain the radiator. I opened the pet cock (why on earth do they call
it that?!?) and NOTHING drained out! I opened the overfill tank and there was just a small amount
of coolant in the neck of the tank.
When I first noticed there was a problem with the car, it was due to coolant dripping into the passenger
floor, approx 2 pints worth.
Can anyone suggest WHY I can't seem to drain the radiator ? I would think it's highly unlikely the system
is dry as I've during recent idling driving never had the temp gauge go past normal.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Al R.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

The petcock is probably stopped up with crud. Try using a stiff piece of wire or paper clip to run up into the hole of the pet cock to start the coolant flowing.

[Jeffrey D.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

Well look at that! I never thought it could have been stopped up with stuff, but in fact it was!
Al, thanks for the heads-up, I appreciate it.
The radiator is now drained and I've removed the faulty heater core.

Jeff

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

I wish I had suggested this before you had the new heater core in. Flush the system. Radiator & block thoroughly. Put a adapter connector (suggested in your other post, I think) on the heater hoses to by-pass the new heater core. You don't want crud from the block & radiator to get in your new heater core. With the pet cock (I too wonder where that name came from) blocked with crud it sounds like you have a serious cleanliness problem. Get rid of that crud or your radiator will be next.

[Jim T.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

Well look at that! I never thought it could have been stopped up with stuff, but in fact it was!
Al, thanks for the heads-up, I appreciate it.
The radiator is now drained and I've removed the faulty heater core.

Jeff

If you have never removed the block drains when changing the coolant, you could get a lot of "stuff" as well from the block.

[Anthony S.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

"pet cock (I too wonder where that name came from)"


cock - A faucet or valve by which the flow of a liquid or gas can be regulated. Middle English cok, from Old English cocc, probably from Late Latin coccus, from coco, a cackling, of imitative origin.

Petcock - A small valve or faucet used to drain or reduce pressure - from pet¹ or perhaps French pet, from ¹

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

"pet cock (I too wonder where that name came from)"


cock - A faucet or valve by which the flow of a liquid or gas can be regulated. Middle English cok, from Old English cocc, probably from Late Latin coccus, from coco, a cackling, of imitative origin.

Petcock - A small valve or faucet used to drain or reduce pressure - from pet¹ or perhaps French pet, from ¹

Thanks for the research.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

I have never been able to just open the petcock and get coolant to drain because I have yet to have one work as it is supposed to. The handle usually spins loose from the valve and I end up having to remove the entire valve from the radiator fitting. I got tired of changing the valves many years ago and just remove the valves now. It is just as easy to use a hex wrench as wrecking the valve handle with a plyers.

Stu Fox

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator/Coolant question

I have never been able to just open the petcock and get coolant to drain because I have yet to have one work as it is supposed to. The handle usually spins loose from the valve and I end up having to remove the entire valve from the radiator fitting. I got tired of changing the valves many years ago and just remove the valves now. It is just as easy to use a hex wrench as wrecking the valve handle with a plyers.

Stu Fox

I am not sure about C2s, but C3s never came with a petcock. A hex head plug of the appropriate material was the factory installed drain fitting.