Radiator drain hose

[msandli]

I have searched high and low and can't find any info on this. I'm looking to do a drain/fill on the coolant in my 2001 Tahoe. In an effort to have more control over the draining process, and hopefully minimize the amount of animal poison I dump onto my driveway, I would prefer to use the drain on the lower driver's side of the radiator, rather than just using the lower hose.

However, my Tahoe is missing the pre-bent hose on the radiator drain valve. Does anyone know what size hose or tube I can buy that will fit?

 

[SLCHOE]

I have searched high and low and can't find any info on this. I'm looking to do a drain/fill on the coolant in my 2001 Tahoe. In an effort to have more control over the draining process, and hopefully minimize the amount of animal poison I dump onto my driveway, I would prefer to use the drain on the lower driver's side of the radiator, rather than just using the lower hose.

However, my Tahoe is missing the pre-bent hose on the radiator drain valve. Does anyone know what size hose or tube I can buy that will fit?

I don't know the exact size but im pretty sure it's the same size as your little overflow hose that runs across the top of the fan shroud from the radiator neck to the coolant reservoir.

 

[msandli]

I don't know the exact size but im pretty sure it's the same size as your little overflow hose that runs across the top of the fan shroud from the radiator neck to the coolant reservoir.

I shall check that tomorrow!

 

[msandli]

update

I tried the overflow hose from the coolant reservoir, and while slightly large, it still worked fine. The bends in that hose even make it easy to reach up and open the drain valve from underneath the car and avoid getting a face-full of coolant. I also had some 5/16" fuel line that I tried to get on there. It wouldn't go, even with a dab of oil on the nipple. I suspect that if anyone is really interested in replacing that line, 3/8" might be the ticket.

However, what ends up happening is that the plastic threads on the stopper will leak. The end of that little port doesn't reach over the end of the support frame it sits on, so the coolant that leaks past there pools up on the frame and eventually runs over somewhere else. MOST of it still goes through the hose, but don't expect a spotless job unless your catch pan is at least 2' wide.

There you have it. After letting it drain and putting an extra gallon of distilled water through the system for good measure, I seem to be sitting good after putting 2 gallons of 50/50 back in. I don't know if I wouldn't have spilled as much just popping off the lower radiator hose, but using this method means that once the hose is on, you can open the drain and stay clear of the coolant, or even open it from the top, avoiding a mess on you all together. If anyone is wondering about using that drain spout but are missing the drain hose, give the overflow hose from the reservoir a shot.

 

[about20ninj45]

I tried the overflow hose from the coolant reservoir, and while slightly large, it still worked fine. The bends in that hose even make it easy to reach up and open the drain valve from underneath the car and avoid getting a face-full of coolant. I also had some 5/16" fuel line that I tried to get on there. It wouldn't go, even with a dab of oil on the nipple. I suspect that if anyone is really interested in replacing that line, 3/8" might be the ticket.

However, what ends up happening is that the plastic threads on the stopper will leak. The end of that little port doesn't reach over the end of the support frame it sits on, so the coolant that leaks past there pools up on the frame and eventually runs over somewhere else. MOST of it still goes through the hose, but don't expect a spotless job unless your catch pan is at least 2' wide.

There you have it. After letting it drain and putting an extra gallon of distilled water through the system for good measure, I seem to be sitting good after putting 2 gallons of 50/50 back in. I don't know if I wouldn't have spilled as much just popping off the lower radiator hose, but using this method means that once the hose is on, you can open the drain and stay clear of the coolant, or even open it from the top, avoiding a mess on you all together. If anyone is wondering about using that drain spout but are missing the drain hose, give the overflow hose from the reservoir a shot.

Good to know. Thanks!