Draining coolant from block

[neanderthalprimadonna]

Hi,

 

I have a 1991 Loyale, and I guess there are two bolts that need to be removed to drain coolant from block. What size hex wrench is to be used here? Thanks!

 

-NP:burnout:

[GeneralDisorder]

Should be a 12mm hex socket IIRC. But then it might be a 14mm too..... measure it with a bolt.

 

It's pretty rare to need to remove those plugs though. What is your purpose?

 

GD

[TomRhere]

Just tried those yesterday on the '86 BRAT. They be 14mm, and they don't like to break loose real easy. DS one is pain to get to....

[neanderthalprimadonna]

Should be a 12mm hex socket IIRC. But then it might be a 14mm too..... measure it with a bolt.

 

It's pretty rare to need to remove those plugs though. What is your purpose?

 

GD

 

I think I read it in the manual that I bought. Those need to be removed to drain all of the coolant out. But if there is an easier way or if that is overkill to do it that way, then of course, I won't even bother trying to remove them.

[neanderthalprimadonna]

Just tried those yesterday on the '86 BRAT. They be 14mm, and they don't like to break loose real easy. DS one is pain to get to....

 

Thanks. Is that what you were doing too? removing old coolant?

[Bill90Loyale]

I've done it on both my 90 Loyale and my wife's 95 Legacy. Here's my write-up on the Legacy. The basics are the same for the Loyale. No problems on either car since, and this was some years ago now. I would put this in the "nice to do on an older car" category, and not in the "better do it or else" category. It is sort of satisfying to know you've got all the old crap out.

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=39838&highlight=coolant+drain+plugs

[hooziewhatsit]

There are actually two different ways to drain the coolant from the heads, IIRC.

 

One is through the 14mm Hex plug thats a couple inches in diameter. Probably a PITA to get out. I know there's one on the passenger side; not sure about the drivers side. This is where good block heaters screw into.

 

There are also two 14mm (12?) bolts on both sides of the engine that go into the water jacket. Again, pass. side is easy to get to, drivers side is hard, so I never use it. This bolt is much easier to remove than the plug.

 

ymmv,

-Dave

[TomRhere]

Yeah, that's what I wanted to do, remove dain plug and flush system. Drain plug "did not" want to be removed, so I opted just to use garden hose and flush system out thru heater supply lines, also used hose to flush heater core.

 

I plan on trying to remove the plug(s) on the '85 BRAT today, we shall see. It's next on the "Winterization List". Got some Prestone system flush in it now, mainly cause it's a new to me vehicle and I don't have much history on it.

 

Wife's '93 Pontiac Sunbird SE convertable is also on the list. Hate doing that one as there's no easy way of flushing system.