1997 Ford Ranger 4.0 liter OHV engine coolant drain/pit cock
#1
06-02-2023
#2
06-03-2023
It will be passenger side, lower part of radiator, facing engine side
These were often plugged up so didn't drain well, you unscrew it all the way and pull it out, it will have 2 plastic forks that prevent it from falling out, squeeze forks together and you can pull it out all the way
You can use a wire and insert it in the drain hole, move it around to try and clear any debris clogging the passage
Most drain coolant using lower radiator hose instead, messier but faster, lol
There hasn't been engine block drains since the 1960's
You can remove a freeze plug(core plug) and replace it with a rubber expansion plug if you want to drain the block
Anytime you change coolant you should reverse the two heater hoses at the firewall, this reverses the flow thru the heater core, so "back flushes" the heater core while you drive, keeps it cleaner and it will last longer
Do it every 2 years or so, if you use 5 year coolant(red or gold)
I use 2 year(green) coolant on older vehicles, because I know I will most likely have a problem that will require me to drain coolant within that 2 years, lol, it's less expensive and has the same anti-freeze and anti-corrosion properties as the red/gold just only lasts 2 years
These were often plugged up so didn't drain well, you unscrew it all the way and pull it out, it will have 2 plastic forks that prevent it from falling out, squeeze forks together and you can pull it out all the way
You can use a wire and insert it in the drain hole, move it around to try and clear any debris clogging the passage
Most drain coolant using lower radiator hose instead, messier but faster, lol
There hasn't been engine block drains since the 1960's
You can remove a freeze plug(core plug) and replace it with a rubber expansion plug if you want to drain the block
Anytime you change coolant you should reverse the two heater hoses at the firewall, this reverses the flow thru the heater core, so "back flushes" the heater core while you drive, keeps it cleaner and it will last longer
Do it every 2 years or so, if you use 5 year coolant(red or gold)
I use 2 year(green) coolant on older vehicles, because I know I will most likely have a problem that will require me to drain coolant within that 2 years, lol, it's less expensive and has the same anti-freeze and anti-corrosion properties as the red/gold just only lasts 2 years
Last edited by RonD; 06-03-2023 at 09:32 AM.
The following users liked this post:
seanagins (06-03-2023)
#3
06-03-2023
It will be passenger side, lower part of radiator, facing engine side
These were often plugged up so didn't drain well, you unscrew it all the way and pull it out, it will have 2 plastic forks that prevent it from falling out, squeeze forks together and you can pull it out all the way
You can use a wire and insert it in the drain hole, move it around to try and clear any debris clogging the passage
Most drain coolant using lower radiator hose instead, messier but faster, lol
These were often plugged up so didn't drain well, you unscrew it all the way and pull it out, it will have 2 plastic forks that prevent it from falling out, squeeze forks together and you can pull it out all the way
You can use a wire and insert it in the drain hole, move it around to try and clear any debris clogging the passage
Most drain coolant using lower radiator hose instead, messier but faster, lol
Last edited by seanagins; 06-03-2023 at 09:23 AM. Reason: Forum etiquette
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