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Radiator Drain Plug Position

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by rogerthat, Dec 20, 2021.

  1. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Just spent 15 min under my car looking for the radiator drain to which I would attach tubing. I see a yellow drain cock (see attached photo, taken from underside) but for the life of me I can't see the location of the drain port - what am I missing? Maybe it's an aftermarket radiator (however, I don't recall the previous owner mentioning anything about that - I've owned it for almost 7 years now).
     

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    #1 rogerthat, Dec 20, 2021
  2. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I never worry about the position. I just screw out out totally to drain the radiator.

    Putting tubing on it is a useless exorcise. After draining, I just hose off the area,
     
    #2 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 20, 2021
  3. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Yeah, but I would like to avoid removing the underside cover - isn't there supposed to be a port to which I can attach some tubing - then when I turn the drain cock coolant will leave through the tubing? I just can't seem to locate the position of that port!
     
    #3 rogerthat, Dec 20, 2021
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Should be shown in these attachment. FWIW, on 3rd gen there’s a cutout in the underpanel for access to the radiator drain.
     

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    #4 Mendel Leisk, Dec 20, 2021
  5. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Lol, found it - was completely obscured. Now I just need to find a way to work my hand in there to attach the tubing!
     
    #5 rogerthat, Dec 20, 2021
  6. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    I've got a Lisle funnel connected - last 200 mL is just sitting in the funnel - anyone know if it is it okay for me to start up the car with funnel still connected and crank up the heat to see if the remaining coolant is sucked in.... or should I just take it for at drive at this point?
     
    #6 rogerthat, Dec 20, 2021
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Sure it's ok. Probably a better idea than just assuming it's all good and going for a drive.

    Will you be following the air burping procedure on pages CO-7 to CO-9 in the manual?

    You wondered about whether an aftermarket radiator could be missing the tube connection. I definitely worked on a Gen 2 once where the radiator had been replaced with aftermarket, and the bleed valve at the top of the radiator was missing the tube connection. That got messy a bit.

    Recently did a coolant change on my Gen 3, where it turned out it was easy to get my left hand up in there, but it ended up in just the position where I had zero finger strength to open the drain cock! Ended up using a wing-nut driver I had around; perfect solution.
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Dec 20, 2021
  8. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Worst part was getting that tube connected. I only flushed radiator (didn't mess with CHRS drain) according to a partial method recommended here. After a 5 minute drive I was able to add some more fluid - I'll keep topping up for the next few days.

    I intended to complete an inverter fluid drain too, but 5/16" inner diameter is clearly the wrong size for the bleed nipple. This was also the incorrect size for the radiator bleed nipple. I'm going to pick up some 3/16" inner diameter tubing before going ahead with the inverter.
     
    #8 rogerthat, Dec 20, 2021
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What's "CHRS"?

    Surgical tubing works good; not sure of the ID required, but if it's slightly undersized it's very flexible, easy to push on. Should be readily available at hardware stores, or Amazon.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Dec 21, 2021
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Coolant Heat Recovery System—the "thermos". Your Gen 3 hasn't got one.
     
    #10 ChapmanF, Dec 21, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  11. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    No tubing required no lower cover removal required just snake your hand under there thru all the hoses and open the drain cock on the drivers side and out she comes put a catch can Under it and then dump it in the toilet or shower.
    Done this multiple times,

    Take the top plastic rad cap off the peacock is under there on passenger side. open the cap let it dump out. Disregard the overflow tank it does nothing on this car. Fill up the rad and then check it’s level the next day before starting.
     
    #11 edthefox5, Dec 21, 2021
    Georgina Rudkus likes this.
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