Radiator drain valve petcock safe to operate?
 

Hey everyone..

I want to flush my cooling system and have read to drain it from the plastic petcock on the bottom of the radiator.

Before I break it, is it safer to remove the lower hose? Or which way do you turn the petcock?

Thanks!

Turn it to the left/counter clockwise. You can remove the radiator hose if you would rather do it that way.

It has right hand [straight] thread. For me it was not necessary, but I prepared a home made t-handle slotted wrench made from pvc pipe. Using wrench will allow "gentle" application of twisting force rater then impact force to the petcock handle. It also has rubber o-ring the needed to be inspected / washed. As I learned from my junk yard autopsy, many radiator nipples at this age (12 years) are brittle, so I'll rather not disturb a radiator hose, unless really necessary

Thanks guys..

I finally started draining my coolant with new confidence in the petcock, but the fluid sure looks clean and blue so I stopped.. I'm used to draining brown chunky old coolant or the new zerex G05 yellow/green color I use on my diesel trucks.

I'm assuming honda coolant blue?

I'm tempted to leave it alone and was going to use a voltmeter to test it but that method has been debunked..

Would you flush it out if it was clean and blue? And can I use the same zerex G05 I have already after I flush a few times with straight distilled water?

Thanks!

Drain entire radiator and fill it with same brand of fluid was in it. I've drained 2.5 qts this way. Be prepared to top up expansion tank after 30 to 60 miles of driving as it takes a while to bleed the air completely out (thanks to the air pocket forming around the throttle body)

I don't know what's in it and no owners manual, but it's blue and Im guessing it's Honda Type 2 Coolant $$$.

This car was used and beat pretty hard before me is why I'm surprised the coolant is so clean and new looking..

I guess I shouldn't use the zerex G05 I have, since its only low silicate instead of the recommended no silicate.