2001 V6 3800 Coolant Change
 

Hi,

Where are the coolant drain plugs on the engine block of a 2001 V6 3800? Also, are there bleed screws on this engine? Any pictures will help..

Thanks,
Joe!

Why not install a Flush Kit? They sell them cheap at Wal-Mart...

There's a drain blug at the bottom passenger side of the radiator, and a bleed screw at the top of the thermostat housing (driver side, top of engine). I believe that the way to drain the coolant from the block itself is to remove the knock sensor. I have never done this, but my Haynes manual says the bolt that holds that on is the same as the drain plug.

So the only place you have drained the coolant from is the drain plug on the radiator? Does this get all of the coolant out of the engine?

LibertyForAll,

I watched some videos about using a flush kit..The guy in the video never completely drains the system after flushing with his water hose. To re-fill the coolant, the guy in the video takes the cap off of the Flush Kit's T-Valve and pours 100% coolant directly into the radiator. This displaces the water that was in the system leftover from the flush. The water is displaced out of the Flush Kit's T-Valve. Is this how you do it? Here's the link to the video: http://www.ehow.com/video_2328130_fi...g-coolant.html

Thanks,
Joe

I usually drain first from the radiator, with the bleed screw open and the cap off. That gets the majority of the coolant out. Then, I remove the lower radiator hose from the engine, and some more drains out from there. Then, I syphon as much out as possible with a length of cheap rubber or plastic tubing (small, so it easily slides in there). This doesn't get all of it out, but most.

After draining, I fill with water and mix in a bottle of coolant flush fluid (as per instructions on the bottle), and run the engine for as long as it says to run it. Then drain again in the exact same way as mentioned above.

This leaves a little water in the bottom of the engine, but not enough to change the mixture that much. I mix my own antifreeze instead of buying pre-mixed, and I make it about 55/45 to compensate for the water that's still in there.

I do it this way because I don't like the idea of getting coolant on the knock sensors, or any other electrical components. That's just me being paranoid, though.