Radiator Drain on 99 Concorde?

[DLH1]

Where is the drain plug/petcock for the radiator on a 99 Concorde? There is an unanswered question regarding this on the FAQ page. If any one knows, please respond here. Thanks

 

[maxpower]

Where is the drain plug/petcock for the radiator on a 99 Concorde? There is an unanswered question regarding this on the FAQ page. If any one knows, please respond here. Thanks

I believe on that model it is located on the inside radiator at the passenger side corner.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

[Bill Putney]

I believe on that model it is located on the inside radiator at the passenger side corner.

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

Yep - and they are a PITA. Many start leaking or people can't get them to drain and over-turn them and end up having to replace them. They also are in a very difficult spot to reach (as on most cars these days).

My understanding is they turn CCW a little over 90° and pull out just a little to start draining. I couldn't get mine to start draining, and learned later on the 300M Club forums that they have to come out a little after being turned. Also the o-rings go bad on them. I ended up just flushing thru the radiator hoses. Will probably do the same thing again next time to avoid damaging it or the o-ring start leaking. Very poor design.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

 

[DLH1]

thanks, Guys. I will look for it in that location the next opportunity I have.

That turn and pull type petcock is vintage chrysler. I would have thought they would have gone to something better and more reliable by now, but I guess not. Thanks.

 

[maxpower]

thanks, Guys. I will look for it in that location the next opportunity I have.

That turn and pull type petcock is vintage chrysler. I would have thought they would have gone to something better and more reliable by now, but I guess not. Thanks.

What normally happens when you try to turn the pet cock is the seal (o-ring) rips inside and you don't realize that it has until you go thru the trouble of trying to bleed the air out. Looking down you see coolant dripping out. Now you have to drain it again and replace the valve (o-ring). What I do is soak the valve with a good penetrating oil and as you turn (counterclockwise) pull out on it until it starts to flow. The other thing to do is purchase a new valve and replace it at the same time. The part number is 4758290, probably about 10 bucks

Glenn

 

[Bob Shuman]

I do what Bill does and carefully pull the lower radiator hose to flush on all my Chryslers.

Bob

 

[Bill Putney]

What normally happens when you try to turn the pet cock is the seal (o-ring) rips inside and you don't realize that it has until you go thru the trouble of trying to bleed the air out. Looking down you see coolant dripping out. Now you have to drain it again and replace the valve (o-ring). What I do is soak the valve with a good penetrating oil and as you turn (counterclockwise) pull out on it until it starts to flow. The other thing to do is purchase a new valve and replace it at the same time. The part number is 4758290, probably about 10 bucks

Glenn

You pretty much have to pull the radiator out to have enough room to replace the drain valve, don't you Glenn? I've not done it - but that appears to be the consensus on the 300M Club forums. Perhaps if you're into the timing belt. etc., that would be a convenient time (along with the accessory belt tensioners, etc.).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

 

[maxpower]

You pretty much have to pull the radiator out to have enough room to replace the drain valve, don't you Glenn? I've not done it - but that appears to be the consensus on the 300M Club forums. Perhaps if you're into the timing belt. etc., that would be a convenient time (along with the accessory belt tensioners, etc.).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

There are so many different locations for the pet cocks on all of the models. Off hand I cant remember which ones have to have the radiator loose until I look at em.

Glenn

 

[philthy]

i have this cool tool from airlift company and i hooks it up to a air source and then the raditor cap and it pulls all the coolant out and when the systen is under vacumm pulls the new fluid in

 

[Bill Putney]

i have this cool tool from airlift company and i hooks it up to a air source and then the raditor cap and it pulls all the coolant out and when the systen is under vacumm pulls the new fluid in

Not as thorough a flush as manually flushing, but when you have to make a profit, that would be better for the shop with labor costs, so-called "environmental" concerns, etc.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')