2016 1500 Radiator Petcock

[etbrown4]

I've watched several videos and they all show unthreading the hex head plastic petcock a few turns and radiator coolant is supposed to flow out of a round tube just below the petcock. Tried a 10mm allen wrench. Same result.

Petcock unthreads about 1/4" then stops. Don't want to break it.

What's the secret?

 

[etbrown4]

Somebody must know

 

[Wild one]

Somebody must know

Turn it further. It's not going to drain with only a 1/4" of a turn

 

[etbrown4]

Backed out 1/4" it's a hard stop. Like it's going to break if you keep turning.

All the videos show these draining just as soon as you begin to open the petcock.

 

[etbrown4]

It's not a 1/4 turn. This thing is course threaded and after several turns the petcock outer shell is backed off 1/4" away from the radiator. Still no flow.

 

[Burla]

Unclamp the hose if you don't like the petcock, this is how I do it as well, I hate that thing. Hose clamps are simple.

 

[Wild one]

Backed out 1/4" it's a hard stop. Like it's going to break if you keep turning.

All the videos show these draining just as soon as you begin to open the petcock.

I own 3 Dodges and none of them drain as soon as you turn the petcock,you usually have to have at least a full turn before they start draining.If it's giving you static,follow Burla's advice and pull the lower hose,just be prepared with a good sized/big drain pan

 

[Burla]

Another good thing about using hoses is you get to see their condition, something most of us take for granted. When they get crunchy, go silicone which do last forever. Begs the question, if silicone hoses last forever, and anyone buying a new car would gladly pay a little extra to get them from the factory, then why manu's do not use them over oem? sorry for the hijack, good luck with that petcock op.

 

[Wild one]

Another good thing about using hoses is you get to see their condition, something most of us take for granted. When they get crunchy, go silicone which do last forever. Begs the question, if silicone hoses last forever, and anyone buying a new car would gladly pay a little extra to get them from the factory, then why manu's do not use them over oem? sorry for the hijack, good luck with that petcock op.

2 words Mike "sticker shock",lol

 

[etbrown4]

To Wild One with the 3 Dodges... or others who know, Did you ever have to pull out on the plastic petcock? Some blogs mention turning out 90 or 180 degrees and then pulling out. Mine wont budge.

(I realize this plastic part is a PIA and a waste of time, and the hose is the better way, but still curious.)

Other bloggers elsewhere say if you unthread the petcock too far or break it off you get to buy a new radiator.

Makes no sense because the Ram dealer and O'Reilly sell them. What's that about?

 

[Burla]

Well, you wont need a new radiator if you can live w/o a petcock if it breaks, worst case scenario you break the petcock and then seal it to the radiator, then you would be forced to use the bottom hose for flushes/service.

 

[etbrown4]

Shop foreman at a Ram dealer says it is likely sediment blocking the flow. He says mfg leaves some sand in the block casting and it collects in radiator bottom. We'll see if a small piece of wire, used carefully will clear it.

 

[Wild one]

To Wild One with the 3 Dodges... or others who know, Did you ever have to pull out on the plastic petcock? Some blogs mention turning out 90 or 180 degrees and then pulling out. Mine wont budge.

(I realize this plastic part is a PIA and a waste of time, and the hose is the better way, but still curious.)

Other bloggers elsewhere say if you unthread the petcock too far or break it off you get to buy a new radiator.

Makes no sense because the Ram dealer and O'Reilly sell them. What's that about?

Actually if i count the wifes old Challenger,i've swapped thermostats in 4,and none of them have ever gave me any static.