Radiator Draining Tool

[RickP330]

Guys,
One of my fav tools dissapeared a long time ago, I assume I "lost" it at a race track, anyway it was simply a large rubber "cork" with a brass ****** and a through hole that a 1/4" hose passed through. You could adjust the length of the hose by pulling it through the cork and you would just jam it into the top of a cross flow radiator. Then just a blast of air in the adjacent ****** from a blow gun would get things siphoning. You could walk away and come back to an empty rad.
Anyway I really miss this stupid thing and can't seem to find it anywhere. I got it at a tool store some 15+ years ago that is long gone now... Any Ideas?
RickP

 

[PAToyota]

Rubber "cork" from Lowes and a length of hose?

 

[Wiggawam]

Sounds like something you are going to have to make. Sounds like a really interesting tool though!

 

[RickP330]

McMaster-Carr has Rubber Corks, have to buy 6 in a package, but still the package is only 10 bucks. I don't know the sizes I need though, can any one measure a radiator opening for me LOL. I'll check it out when I get home tonight.
RickP

 

[rsanter]

rubber corks are available from any scientific supply store

bob

 

[rocketman]

This puppy will drain a rad real quick!!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i just put down a big catch pan underneath and pull the bottom hose.

 

[Elroy]

What ever happened to using the petcock. Aw ya, they stopped using them. They cost too much.

 

[eschoendorff]

What ever happened to using the petcock. Aw ya, they stopped using them. They cost too much.

That, and - at least the plastic GM ones- were complete ****!

 

[Fedwrench]

What ever happened to using the petcock. Aw ya, they stopped using them. They cost too much.

Probably the same thing that happened to automatic transmission dipsticks.

Alot of the petcocks today are very delicate or cut the sealing o ring when opened creating a leak when closed again. I usually just pull the lower hose off.

 

[eschoendorff]

Probably the same thing that happened to automatic transmission dipsticks.

Alot of the petcocks today are very delicate or cut the sealing o ring when opened creating a leak when closed again. I usually just pull the lower hose off.

Tis what I do too... works every time. Not so with the petcocks.

 

[gibbon_guy]

Is this what you are talking about?

 

[billymade]

Air-N-Water Blo-Gun w/ Squeeze Trigger
Toolsource #65465
Manufacturers Part Number #170 $69.95

Uses compressed air to break water into minute, high velocity particles.
Cleans with hot and cold liquids.
Individually adjustable air and water pressure controls.
Rubber grips included for use with hot water when degreasing.
Can also be used as a siphon gun for flushing radiators, heat transfer coils and engine blocks.
Made from strong zinc alloy plated with a bright nickel chrome.
Operating pressure: 75 PSI to 250 PSI.
Water temperature up to 190°F.
At 75 PSI use aproximately 4 CFM and 4 gallons of water per minute.
1/4" NPT air inlet
Garden hose water inlet
All internal seals are made of long wearing Buna N rubber.
Milton Industries 170 Air-N-Water Blo-Gun w/ Squeeze Trigger

 

[eschoendorff]

That is pretty cool! Too bad I cannot justify one...

 

[RickP330]

Air-N-Water Blo-Gun w/ Squeeze Trigger

No, that's not it, Although I do have one - it's not that nice. Thanks for the link.

Why would I remove the lower radiator hose (when I don't have to) just to empty the fluid? Isn't just sticking a siphon tube in the top and walking away much simpler and cleaner?

The problem with the petcock is that if the car is on the ground you can't get a sizable drainage pan under it, you have to stop and empty it.

and if you open the petcock - it spills all over the frame and floor it never pours out predictibly.

Guys - keep in mind, I'm a weekend wrench, I don't do this profressionally and usually am using my tools for other tasks...

Regards,
Rick

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Some of the radiators now have that fake petcock. I miss the old days with the real ones.

As to why you remove the hose, easy, with your method, you get the fluid and small particles out. With hose removal you get larger particles/rust out.

 

[krusty the clown]

i have the fluid evacuator plus shown here
http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_fee.asp

i put the hose in the radiator and pump out the fluid, then reverse it and pump it back in. it works fast and easy. i also have one dedicated to atf for filling transmissions.