Help Needed -- Radiator drain plug

[GlanzaV]

Afternoon all,

I went out this morning to change my thermostat and flush out my coolant and replace it with nice new stuff. One problem:

I jacked the car up and could not get access to the radiator drain plug?! Is it on the passenger side of the rad? I could not seem to get access to it as the SMIC duct was in the way and I could not for the life of me remove it. There are clips holding it on to the IC but there is not enough room to remove it??


Does anyone have any advice how to drain the coolant easily?

 

[__B3NNY__]

you drain it from the bottom rad hose i belive? It could be both hoses?

 

[GlanzaV]

I can't even get access to the bottom rad hose for the IC air duct?

I mentioned a drain plug in my first post but as I never even managed to get access I don't even know if the ibiza's have one?

 

[__B3NNY__]

im pretty sure it doesnt have a drain plug, Just pop the bottom and maybe top rad hose off, dont need to go near the intercooler i dont think?

 

[m0rk]

B3NNY's right, no drain plug.

If you can't get at it because the Intercooler duct is in the way - remove the duct

 

[__B3NNY__]

Sorry didnt realise the duct got in the way, Havent actully drained mine yet.

 

[GlanzaV]

Easier said than done Mork -- I sepnt about 2hrs trying to prise it off! It's just held on with clips on the IC side and I'm sure just clips on the grille side but there's no play in the bumper to get it out.

Unless there's an easy way to remove the duct that I'm missing out on?

 

[GlanzaV]

Anyone? I fancy getting this done but I just need some advice on how to get into the bottom rad hose -- Has anyone done it?

 

[m0rk]

undo the SMIC bolts, push the SMIC out the way taking the duct with it.

or whip the bumper off, that's almost as quick

 

[GlanzaV]

Cheers, I had thought to do both of those but thought it seemed like an awfully backwards way just to drain coolant so thought there'd be a simpler way... obviously not!

I started to undo the SMIC on sat but chickened out when it felt like one of the bolts was about to shear. I'll see how lucky I feel next weekend.

 

[Craig!]

Taking the bumper off is faster than trying to undo the SMIC bolts!!

 

[cuprachris81]

I have coolant drain rage, been trying to access the tap to drain the coolant only to find here that there is none, there must be an easier way, as I do not have a hex tool to take the bumper off...

 

[Cupra20v]

I always take my bumper off to drain the rad, taking the bumper off is a 10 minute job and gives you plenty room to get in about