How to Drain a Radiator for a Chevy Blazer

Draining the radiator of your Chevy Blazer is a little tricky and messy. The location of the drain plug is difficult to get at and when you succeed in opening it and the antifreeze begins to drain, the bottom of the front bumper misdirects the flow. Get plenty of old shop rags and a wide and shallow drain bucket (preferably with a spout).

Things You'll Need

• Drain bucket
• Channel locks
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop rags
• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Park the Blazer on a level surface. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and shut the Blazer off. Do not attempt to drain a radiator or open the radiator cap when the vehicle is warm/hot. Allow it to cool down. Release the hood latch and open the hood.

2. Remove the radiator cap slowly. Allow any built up pressure to release before removing the cap altogether.

3. Remove the right front fender skirt plastic plugs in front of the right front tire. You do not have to remove the entire skirt, but enough to get your hand into the lower engine compartment and be able to see what you're doing.

4. Locate the drain plug on the radiator on the lower right hand (passenger side) of the radiator.

5. Grab the drain bucket and place it under the Blazer strategically beneath the drain plug. Unfortunately, the fluid is still going to spread out and make a mess so get ready with some rags, towels, or old sheets.

6. Turn the drain plug counterclockwise until it opens enough to begin draining fluid. The less you turn the plug, the less fluid will drain, and the more controlled you can maintain the spillage. However, the longer it will take for the radiator to thoroughly drain. Allow the radiator to drain completely before continuing.

7. Squeeze the upper radiator hose by hand to purge fluid from it into the radiator.

8. Move the clamp on the lower radiator hose with a pair of channel locks or loosen it with a screwdriver (depending on the type of clamp) and move it out of the way.

9. Pry the lower hose off with a screwdriver to allow the fluid in there to drain and replace the hose and clamp back onto the radiator securely.

10. Wipe the ground area up well when you're finished thoroughly and spray the driveway or yard with a garden hose to dilute any spillage of antifreeze. Antifreeze has a sweet smell and taste and will attract family and neighborhood pets or animals and is highly toxic.