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#1
12-19-2003, 05:00 PM
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There has GOT to be a better way to do this...
Okay, I'm back. I'm in the middle of flushing the coolant on a friend's car, and am also getting ready to do mine. I just got done pulling the cooling drain plug in teh engine block on my friend's car, and took a nice coolant shower. So, my question before I go to do mine is, what tricks are there for getting the engine coolant drain plug pulled without getting coolant all over the place? Or is it inevitable? I'm referring to the plug in the engine block on the right side near the starter. This is on an '84 300D turbo as well as on my '85.
A quick reply would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! 
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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver 1991 Ford F-350, work in progress 1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D Spark-free since 1999 
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#2
12-19-2003, 05:24 PM
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Coolant drainage plug???? Do you mean the butterfly drain at the bottom of the radiator?
If so; that will only drain the coolant from the radiator. It will NOT drain the block or your heater housing where most of your old coolant is held. The engine needs to be thoroughly flushed in order to get all the old coolant and crap evacuated. I found a great little kit at Wal-Mart that contains all the necessary parts for about 7 bucks! All you need it this kit and a hose. Hope this helps.
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Toblin '79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K I kid proofed the house....but they still get in
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#3
12-19-2003, 05:41 PM
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No, I'm referring to the second coolant drain plug. This one's located on the engine block, on the right side just in front of the starter. It's above the engine mount and part of the steering setup...
Between this one and the radiator drain plug, the coolant should be flushed reasonably well...
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#4
12-19-2003, 05:55 PM
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Try using a long box end wrench of the appropriate size and get as far away from it as possible. Don't use all your strength when screwing it back in with the long box end though. Some of em you can use a 3/8" wobble extension and get away from it - I think it is on the 103 engine you can do that.
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Jim
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#6
12-19-2003, 08:16 PM
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I don't remember how the 617 is set-up but the 603 and 103 have a hollow bolt for a block drain plug. Loosen the plug and coolant comes out the center of the plug. The plug is so designed that you can fit garden hose size hose on the end and lead the effluent where you want it to go. If the 617 isn't set up with this plug, maybe it can be retrofitted.
Sixto 95 S420 87 300SDL 83 300SD ... $950, see cars forum
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#7
12-19-2003, 08:21 PM
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Wow, I did my coolant flush 1 hour too late... even with the hollow bolt on my 603, I went ahead and let my steering arms splatter the water, and my arms and face and whatnot took the bath. NOW I find out about the garden hose.
Yeesh. Mike
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http://members.cox.net/dieselmerc/om603sig.jpg 87 300D 178k (Crazy in the head) 82 Volvo 160k 240GL Diesel
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#8
12-19-2003, 11:11 PM
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The 617 (at least my friend's '84; maybe they changed this for '85) has a standard 19mm bolt for a plug.
I actually found that, with the air cleaner assembly removed, it can be gotten to (not easily but doable; the turbo and one of the heater hoses is in the way) from the top, keeping the coolant bath to a minimum. Only issue is finding the phug after you're done...  Also, what's the best way to get the cooling system properly refilled? We got it filled (I think it's filled now) by pouring coolant into the radiator upper neck and into the upper radiator hose going towards the engine. I'm guessing that that's not the most efficient way to do it, but we were in a hurry (pouring rain), so we were making it up as we went... Thanks!
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#9
12-19-2003, 11:24 PM
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but we were in a hurry (pouring rain), so we were making it up as we went
That rain water is great stuff, try to catch as much of it as you can (jus kidding!) I use a funnel and add antifreeze thru the head, on the right side of the block, then water until it starts to come out the radiator expansion tank. Then cap that and quickly put the "S" shaped heater hose (between the block and the firewall) back in place and clamp it down. To each his own.
RE: block drain. too hard to get off in many cases. I had a block that came up off the engine mounts as I applied torque to the 1" driver arm that fit the big "hollow bolt" on the passenger side near the starter. I used a four foot sched 40 aluminum pipe as an extension arm. Yesiree lifted that engine right up and never came loose! Its a Helluva job without using heat from a torch. Dieseldiehard 1971 220 4-spd manual 104646 1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 290820 1983 300D 238890 1985 300TD 207980 1976 300D (still looking for an engine
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