Engine coolant change DIY video posted

The correct tightening torque is 29 ft.-lb. Use a cheater bar when loosening the drain plugs, that makes removing the plugs very easy.

 

What's a cheater bar?

 

It's a section of pipe that you slip over the wrench handle to lengthen it to give you more leverage. Works especially well on stubborn wheel lug nuts.

 

Or get a breaker bar, basically a socket wrench with a longer arm, designed for that purpose.

 

Yes, a breaker bar is better than a cheater bar used with a ratchet wrench. The latter may damage your ratchet wrench if excessive force is required.

I have breaker bars for 1/2" and 3/8" sockets, and lengths of pipe (cheater bars) that will fit over the breaker bars and extend their lengths, thus preparing me for all reasonable possibilities. This is especially useful when doing suspension work.

 

An impact wrench is best I guess? Never got into it though, not enough use and don't know the first thing about compressors.

 

Well, the tightening torque is only 29 ft.-lb so an impact wrench would be overkill and that wrench wouldn't fit in certain places, for example the ATF fill plug on the transaxle case. The use of appropriate hand tools is very reasonable.

 

Much appreciated. Where to buy the coolant bleed hose?

 

Any hardware store should have an assortment of diameters, vinyl tubing I think it is. Try to accurately measure the bleed bolt before going in, bring along a drill bit in that diamter, to check fit.

FWIW, I never connected a hose when refilling coolant on various vehicles over the years: just open the bleed bolt, pour coolant until it started coming out of the bleed bolt, then quickly closed it. You spill a tablespoon or two at most.