Radiator drain plug...where is it?

[MagikDraggin]

What and where exactly is the radiator drain plug on an '04 C5?

Is it by chance that white plastic thingamajiggy, that's just below the lower tranny fluid line, with the strange-looking Allen-type of head on it?

If so, what sort of tool is used to loosen that thing?....and is it taken all the way out or what?

I'm wanting to change out the T-stat and need to drain off some coolant before loosening the T-stat housing.

 

[vette747]

Yes. you got it. But this is not Allen key. You need a 1/4 ratchet extension. Do not turn more than 1/4 of a turn or you will break it. Actually you will feel when it is to his maximum, but a lot of people continue turning an they break the plug. I had to use a small screw driver to pull it out before the dexcool start to leak.

more info on my web site under the 'Water Pump' link.

http://pages.videotron.com/vette747/

 

[MagikDraggin]

Hey, you got a lotta nice information on that site, thanks!

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by having to use a flat blade screwdriver to "remove" the drain plug. You mean the plug has to come all the way out (off)?.....there's no just draining some coolant off?...it's either all or nothing?

Would it make sense and is it even possible to intall a more conventional "pet-cock" style of drain plug in its place?

 

[vette747]

Thanks. Yes, this is pet-cock style. It does not come all the way out. It should turn ¼ of a turn then move backward a bit to allow the coolant to leak. First time, it turned, but it did not move backward. I used a small screw driver to pull on it. It may be fine for you so you do not have to pull on it and as soon you turn it the coolant will leak. Just in case it is sticky like it was on my friend 2002 Z. A lot of people break the plug because they turn too much. This is what I was tempted to do when it did not leak after turning 1/4 of a turn. I felt some resistance after turning 1/4 of a turn and the coolant was not going.

 

[MagikDraggin]

Thanks. Yes, this is pet-cock style. It does not come all the way out. It should turn ¼ of a turn then move backward a bit to allow the coolant to leak. First time, it turned, but it did not move backward. I used a small screw driver to pull on it. It may be fine for you so you do not have to pull on it and as soon you turn it the coolant will leak. Just in case it is sticky like it was on my friend 2002 Z. A lot of people break the plug because they turn too much. This is what I was tempted to do when it did not leak after turning 1/4 of a turn. I felt some resistance after turning 1/4 of a turn and the coolant was not going.

Ok, thanks much again. Gonna start on this little project (hope it's a little project), in the morning. Going to see if a 180 Tstat and the lowering of the fan settings will allow the vette to run a little cooler than it is presently with the Hi Stall Converter I had installed last month.

I have a B&M external cooler on the tranny already, but it's not keeping the tranny temps down to my satisfaction. I know C4C5specialist said not to worry, that it was ok, but I still worry anytime I see sustained tranny temps over 200 degs.

 

[vette747]

Ok good. I want to have my fans reprograms to lower temps also. I bought the tranny cooler but did not installed it yet. I destroy the tranny at track (road race). Temp went above 285 several times. Tranny is at the shop. I should get it this afternoon then start to put it back to gether.

Ok what I wanted to says is that you (and this is what I plan to do as well) can install an electric fan on the top of the tranny cooler pushing air. I read some guys telling that it drop tranny temp by 20 degrees.

 

[MagikDraggin]

I'll simply install a larger tranny cooler, or an additional one in series if I can't get the temps down some. Don't wanna go with (another) fan.

An update on the Tstat replacement.......apparently some engineer at GM decided to slightly alter the dimensions of the housing that the Tstat slips into as the Hypertech 180 Powerstat I bought, won't fit.

It'll fit '97 thru '03, but NOT an '04. And just an FYI, after draining all the coolant from the radiator, I STILL ended up making a mess all over the garage floor when I broke the seal on the factory Tstat housing.

So now the question becomes, does anyone know what brand of 180 deg Tstat I need to get that will fit an '04 coupe?

I don't wanna go 160 deg, as I feel that's an overkill for my useage......besides, I don't think that would fit either as its propaganda list it for fitting '97 to '03 also.

I could use some assistance here, people. Anyone?

 

[fdxpilot]

I looked at various tuner websites, and didn't see a 180 for 04 and up. I did find some 160s. The good news is the late model tstat is only $19.95 instead of $45-50. Here's a 160 http://www.ls1speed.com/cart.cfm?action=add&item=HYP1014%2D2

 

[MagikDraggin]

I looked at various tuner websites, and didn't see a 180 for 04 and up. I did find some 160s. The good news is the late model tstat is only $19.95 instead of $45-50. Here's a 160 http://www.ls1speed.com/cart.cfm?action=add&item=HYP1014%2D2

I 'perciate the effort, but I don't really want to go with a 160 stat.

I guess, no one makes a 180 or 170 stat for the '04 LS1, so I will stick with the factory 195 stat and install a larger tranny cooler (like I probably should've done in the first place).

This B&M unit I have now just isn't up to keeping the tranny cool, especially when traveling hwy speeds in hot weather. I know a lot of people sware by them,....I'm simply not imressed. Gonna find me a nice big Hayden cooler and put it on. Had one on my C4 and it worked just fine no matter how hard I drove it.