P38A Thor coolant drain

There's quite a few existing threads already on draining the coolant but non seem completely answered, maybe there isn't an answer!
Unless you drain while the system is HOT and the thermostat is open (I don't recommend this at all!!), then only the radiator and expansion tank, possibly the inlet manifold and throttle body will drain. The block and all the paperwork above the thermostat will remain full of coolant, along with both heads.
If you start removing the big hose (easiest) from the top of the thermostat, then coolant starts leaking everywhere except into the bucket placed underneath. If you disconnect it, then you get soaked in coolant and even less ends up in the bucket.
There's the block drain plug but that is hard to get to and probably makes just as much mess. Neither does it help with coolant in the pipework above the thermostat.
So what's the solution? Is there one?

Great for exfoliating your forearms if you get it hot enough.

tomcat59alan said:

Great for exfoliating your forearms if you get it hot enough.

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Tooooo the bone!!!

Wonder if you’ll get anymore of that silicone gunk stuff out of there like last time?

RangeRoller dt said:

Wonder if you’ll get anymore of that silicone gunk stuff out of there like last time?

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Hope not given its a different engine

You finally bought a doosle!
Well done

RangeRoller dt said:

You finally bought a doosle!
Well done

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Hahaha
Quick tip, don't drink coffee while reading replies

You are 100% correct

An airline into a heater pipe will help remove 90% of the burning shïte!!
Or just crack a flipping radiator open...
Leave the cap on the expansion tank, open the rad drain at the bottom or lower pipe in the petrol and blow air carefully into the heater pipe while blocking the metal end of the fitting it was on. I do this to clear out old anti freeze and the cleaning agents after rinsing coolant systems. It will clear pretty much most of it. The longer you spend the more you'll clear.

Mark Piercy said:

An airline into a heater pipe will help remove 90% of the burning shïte!!
Or just crack a flipping radiator open...
Leave the cap on the expansion tank, open the rad drain at the bottom or lower pipe in the petrol and blow air carefully into the heater pipe while blocking the metal end of the fitting it was on. I do this to clear out old anti freeze and the cleaning agents after rinsing coolant systems. It will clear pretty much most of it. The longer you spend the more you'll clear.

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+1 on this method, but slightly different. Depending on the heater pipe size, an old spark plug can often be a good blocker for one pipe. Then apply air pressure (ideally with a regulator to reduce to 20 PSI) to the heater feed. This way you also empty the heater. Lung pressure can be effective for the younger peeps (find a spare teenager and tell them to "blow into this tube"). Used this method on lots of different cars.

Cheers guys. I'm not trying to get it all out, just what's above the thermostat really. I've already done a clean, so that bits ok. Just don't want to chuck new, perfectly good antifreeze down the drive

Clean bucket under the thermostat, and loosen the hoses.

pwood999 said:

Clean bucket under the thermostat, and loosen the hoses.

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thats what I tried, just sprays everywhere

kermit_rr said:

thats what I tried, just sprays everywhere

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More buckets.

Hold it tighter?

oakey said:

Hold it tighter?

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Pervert

You called?

A few months back I changed the head gaskets and so needed to get the old coolant all out. I drained the system, then rinsed out with a hose, until I got clear water coming through, then used (part of) a 25L drum of distilled (less than 10 pounds from a factor) to flush out the tap water. I ran the engine to get the water pump to circulate the water and tapped it off again to make sure it was as clear as possible. Then half-filled with antifreeze, and then topped out with distilled water to give me the 50% mix. Quite like the sound of the airline method - although with a water flush you can visualise where it's going - air will follow the path of least resistance and prob not go where you want it to go.

This month's LRO features a special gizmo (Coolant Flusher, Laser) which takes both an airline and a hose. This is for the french speakers https://www.lasertools.co.uk/produc...ures five common,for the classic car workshop.

romanrob said:

A few months back I changed the head gaskets and so needed to get the old coolant all out. I drained the system, then rinsed out with a hose, until I got clear water coming through, then used (part of) a 25L drum of distilled (less than 10 pounds from a factor) to flush out the tap water. I ran the engine to get the water pump to circulate the water and tapped it off again to make sure it was as clear as possible. Then half-filled with antifreeze, and then topped out with distilled water to give me the 50% mix. Quite like the sound of the airline method - although with a water flush you can visualise where it's going - air will follow the path of least resistance and prob not go where you want it to go.

This month's LRO features a special gizmo (Coolant Flusher, Laser) which takes both an airline and a hose. This is for the french speakers https://www.lasertools.co.uk/produc...ures five common,for the classic car workshop.

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"Standard airline fitting"? I can think of 3 main types off the top of my head. Looks like PCL.

TBH it looks like you can add whatever male fitting you want - the flusher unit comes without... The French may prefer PCL, but they also like suppositories