Plug Location on a Ion Radiator
The radiator drain plug is a small valve used to drain the coolant from the radiator. Though it rarely happens, if a drain plug gets damaged it can usually be attributed to stripping the threads by over-tightening. You can locate the drain plug on the Ion radiator right at home in the driveway. Saturn recommends that you inspect the radiator hoses, clamps and drain plug every 18,000 miles. If draining the radiator for maintenance or repair is required it should take 15 to 20 minutes to do.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Open the driver's-side front door on your Ion and apply the emergency brake.
-
2
Raise the front end of your Ion with a hydraulic jack. Set a jack stand beneath the frame rail on the passenger's side just behind the front tire. Lift the jack stand's support arm until it makes full contact with your Ion's frame rail. Lock the support arm into position. If your jack stand has a locking pin, return it into position to lock the arm at this height.
-
-
3
Slide under your Ion at the front-center of the bumper so that you're able to see the bottom of the radiator. If the bottom of your radiator is concealed by engine undercover, remove the bolts that secure it in place with a socket wrench.
-
4
Locate the drain plug for your Ion's radiator. The drain plug sits on the right-lower corner of your radiator. The plug has a small tab on the top of it that looks like the winding button on a music box.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
You will need a coolant drain pan before you drain the coolant. The drain plug does not have to be removed completely to drain your coolant. Loosen the plug until a steady flow of coolant comes from the radiator, no more. Turn the drain plug counterclockwise by hand to remove it from the radiator. You can also use a pair of pliers to slightly loosen the plug, if needed.
