Radiators

Generally, no. The basic cooling system is a thermostat, water pump, radiator, fan, and hoses. They run as a closed system, but with sensors in place so the rest of the engine can adapt. The only exception being the fan, which may be electrical, which uses the engine coolant temperature sensor to switch it on and off.

Looking up from under the car, the drain is located on the bottom right and corner of the radiator. A large flat blade screwdriver will be needed to turn the drain cap and allow fluid to be released. The drain cap can't be fully removed from the radiator so there is no worry that the cap will get lost.

You go to a parts store and buy a new one or you can buy a rubber patch kit and repair it for temporary use but most parts stores will have a new hose for you and others will have to order it.

There isn't one. You will have to loosen the lower radiator hose to drain the radiator.

Disconnect all hoses (2 at the top, and 2 at the bottom). Be ready to catch all the fluid into a container, or you'll have a big mess. There are 4 bolts (12 MM) that hold the radiator to the frame. Next there are 4 more bolts that hold the radiator to the plastic fan cover (10 MM). Wiggle out the radiator and take it to a shop to see if they can patch it. If not, buy a new one. Very easy job to do, but the bolts can be difficult to get to.

Good luck trying to find it. Pull the lower hose. It is faster and does the same thing. I never did find the one for my Dakota. This is what I did. Good luck.

What can the problem be as my 1998 Lumina car is losing missing anti frezze. When I fill the radiator my heater is starting to give off heat.

At times their is a red light to goes on and off at the right side and bottom of the dash board.

I have no idea what this light is showing as to the missing anti frezze.

Dose the electric fan that is not working has any relashionship why i am missing antifrezze and whare dose the anntifrezze go or evaparate.

Please answer because i am now confused.

Abeys

abbey1@videotron.ca

Most likely you have a small hole in the radiator somewhere. I have the same problem in my 1995 Lumina, and I have to replace approximately 1/2 gallon of antifreeze approximately every 6 weeks or so. This would be most noticeable when you see a puddle left underneath the car where the radiator sits. You want to find out what size the radiator is by using a tape measure across the top of the radiator. For the '95, there are 3 different core sizes, so I have to match mine to the correct size. Any time you see that Low Coolant light go on, you know that you need to refill your coolant. Wait until the engine has cooled off before refilling though.

The radiator helps cool liquids that exits the engine. A tube at the top of the radiator flows the liquid into the radiator. Fans blow air into the radiator and cools this liquid. This liquid is then exited through the bottom of radiator and released back into the engine to be used. Radiator also holds coolant to to speed cooling process of liquid

Coolant is old.

In central Illinois it runs around $99

Best way to tell your normal operating temperature is to visit an auto parts store and ask them what the OEM thermostat temperature is (or you can look it up yourself on Autozone.com). Most cars these days will have around a 190 degree thermostat. Your car will run slightly hotter than that temperature as it is needed to maintain the thermostat in an open position. With that thermostat you can expect to see the temperature of the water stay around 205-210. If the water temperature ever starts to get above 240 you should shut the engine down to avoid damage and have the cooling system checked. Temperatures above 260 WILL cause significant engine damage.

where is the drain plug for the radiator on a 1992 buick regal custom

You will need a flat head screw driver and a ratchet. First, unscrew the engine fan cover then unscrew the radiator hose. It will be 5 total, the one on the nose, the right side and the one on the left. You should be able to take that off with your hand but make sure your engine coolant tank is empty. Get an empty container and drain it. Unscrew the two screws under the radiator cap and make sure the twp engine fan cover screws on the bottom are removed. Remove the hose off the bottom left side. Make sure your radiator is drained then pull it out.

I think its at the very bottom right hand corner of the radiator. It is a small plug looking jobber. Access is very very tight. Basically, lift the hood, take a flashlight and look along the drivers side of the radiator at the bottom. You'll find it right below a small nipple looking jobber.

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That's pretty much where mine is on my '02, but I have a small & short hose that connects right above and below it. I disconnected both ends of the hose to gain access to the drain plug for the duration of the radiator drain without ill effect.

Bottom of the radiator.

I posted this question and survived the job. I have detailed instructions from this point should anyone need them. Of course they didn't mention a small point. It requires disassembly of the front end of the car. The grill, top radiator support, bumber surround and headlights, then you can start. The directions were perfect after that small point. Re-post if anyone needs them.

If you haven't tried doing so already, you might try changing the thermostat. I had the same problem with my own 64 Impala but didn't discover the real cause until I blew a head gasket and had to yank the motor. The water jacket in the engine block had about 3 inches of sediment in the bottom of the block and was so dense it had to be picked out with a long metal rod. It was coming out in chunks. A new water pump, thermostat, belts and hoses made no difference. Not trying to scare you, but you can find out by removing the water pump and use a long metal rod to scrape/poke the bottom of the water jacket. You'll know how deep the sediment is anyway. Be careful not to distrurb it too much if you plan on driving the car. The loose crud will get stuck in your heater core. Carl King http://www.classiccarauto.com

First disconnect the negative battery cable. Take out the air filter assembly, hose and all, and remove the windshield washer tank if necessary. On the bottom of the radiator probably on the right side is a yellow dial. Turn the dial to drain the coolant. Make sure you have something to drain the coolant in. Remove the radiator cap so the coolant can breathe and let the fluid drain completely. Remove the two fans by unscrewing the bolts on the sides and top. Use a flat-headscrewdriver to remove the fusable links on the fans (this was the hardest part of the whole job). Just pry the tab up with the screwdriver as you pull and they should come out eventually. Now remove the two metal pipes on the left. Should take like a 3/4 or 5/16 wrench. Don't worry about the fluid right now. Make sure you disconnect the temperature sensor and remove the radiator. Installation is the opposite. Once you have it all back together check your oil level and transmission level to make up for the fluid loss from the metal pipes. This was a pretty simple job and should only take about 2-4 hours. Hope this helps. PS a good radiator site is outlawradiator.com cost me like $124 shipped and got it in 2 days.

Your local auto shop should be able to remove and replace for a couple hundred dollars, labor only. Or, if you are even a little mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself in a couple hours.

front of the motor

Take your thermostat out and put everything back together, run your car without a thermostat... If your car no longer overheats, replace your thermostat.

Bottom of radiator, passenger side.

it is in front of the engine block under the water pump kinda low on the engine

Np, because most of your coolant is contained in the engine block. So when you drain your coolant from your radiator, most of the coolant will *remain* in the block.