i'm working on tearing down my motor for a cam install right now. do i need to drain ALL the coolant, or just the radiator? when i did the waterpump last year, i don't remember draining the block.

 

IF you dont, then when you take off your waterpump, all of the coolant will drain onto your opti...most likely ruining the opti.

 

For cam, no.

 

You can do it without draining your block, what i did is before i took of the w/p i covered my opti up real good so the coolant wouldn't get on it.

 

i just ordered a new opti today anyways. this one works fine but i figured since i'm in there i might as well replace it with 84k miles on it i couldn't find the 2nd block drain anyways... thanks guys, i'm sure i'll be back with more question later.

 

The passenger side block drain is the knock sensor.

 

yeah, what he said ^ just a tip though make sure you're not looking up at the knock sensor and are kind of out of the way when you get it all the way out. Coolant all in the face...don't ask me how i know.

 

I hate coolant... it's always a messy sight with me, no matter what I'm doing with it.

 

That one came out pretty easy when I did mine, good luck getting the driver side one out. I snapped an extension trying to remove that one, never did get it out.

 

i'm not going to pull them out now, but just for future reference, where is the drivers side one?

 

Opposite side of the knock sensor, same location (I think). Right behind the k-member at the bottom of the block.

 

Actually there is only one knock sensor, its on the passenger side. The one on the driver side is just a plug for draining the block. It's close to the motor mount and pretty hard to get at, I couldnt budge the thing.

 

Yeah i messed with it for awhile then said screw it!! It's a PITA to mess with.

 

Drain plug

 

I learned this from a friend (Quoc mentioned it I think) best way to drain coolant is a Wet vac.
You can remove the highest hose in the system and have the vacuum just pull all the coolant into the canister.

I recommend cleaning the vacuum bucket before of course, so you can re-use the coolant.

I've done it this way several times. Makes the draining so easy it's amazing.


Hope this helps,
Christian