Hi,

I'm about to do a coolant flush, and change the t-stat.

Am I blind? I do NOT see any drain on the Behr radiator. Where is it? Normally I see a petcock... not on this one (?). Can't I just pull the lower hose and drain it from there? Isn't that the lowest point anyway?

Second. The t-stat housing has (it seems) three bolts... the bolts pass through a bracket (I THINK for an AC hose)... I'm guessing I just pull these bolts and I'm good to go on changing the t-stat.

I'm just making sure is all before I do the job.

Thanks,
Pete

Hi Pete.

Look underneat the radiator support.
You will see a white plastic screw with a
philips cut on it.(+)

That is the drain.

Louis.

Hello,
The drain is on the very bottom of the radiator, in probably one of the most convenient places it could be. It is on the drivers side located on the radiator centering hole that keeps it in place. Should take a big flat screw driver to get it un-done. Sure beats the drain on my Chevy truck - a big PITA to get to.
Good luck, Adam

Driver or passenger side?

I forget how the radiator drains

look up the picture on fast lane and see if it is visable

also

buy some new bolts and use alot of liquid wrench when getting off the thermostat.

I broke one of my bolts on my old w123 and it sucked hard. I had to drill and tap a new bolt.

Not a good day.

there is alot of corrosion between the aluminum and steel bolt, some sort of electrolosis.

Other than that it is easy enough. some drill a SMALL hole it the thermostat to facilitate air bleeding... IF you do yours make sure it is tiny as large holes WILL effect operating temps.

If it is cold where you live I would leave it untampered. THose motors do not cook that easy anyway.


good luck

bob c

Thanks for the hint on the bolts!!!!!! I'm going to go out now and soak them.

The nut on the top of my ALDA was fused with the screw fitting... so I sprayed them last night a few times and then this morning... she turns great now! So it is DEFINITLY worth it to do!!!

Thanks again!

Pete

Be sure to use antiseize when you put it back together....

I always use antisieze... I swear by the stuff!

Oh! FYI: on the driver side of the radiator is the oil cooler. I see no drain, no nothing.

Sooooooo... if I'm still a little 'slow' can I drain it from the lower hose? I can't see the drain for the life of me!!

Thanks,

Pete

Unless that's not an OEM rad, it's a white plastic (or maybe red/orange) screw with a cross (phillips) screw fitting, very large. Bottom edge, on my W124 it's on the passenger side. Sometimes hidden behind a crossmember, there will be a hole to get to it from underneath. Not on the side if the bottom tank, on the bottom surface.

Very nice, as the coolant runs straight down instead of out sideways and onto something.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Ok... I will look yet again, this time on the BOTTOM edge NOT sides or the side os the bottom... the bottom!

Thanks again,
Pete

There should be two posts on the BOTTOM that the radiator use for mounts, they drop into openings in the rail underneath. The left one (drives side in W123) should have a plug and I have seen blue plastic screws also, be prepared to let it hang if the barbs on it are still there, they are supposed to retain the drain plug but can break off.
Unless you have a stubby driver handy just reach in your pocket for a quarter - been my preference for a long time!
DDH