Nicole's block drain plugs came out pretty easily. You could see the copper antiseize on the threads.

 

Mine had copper anti-seize compound too. I believe the WSM recommends copper.

Also agree with Garth about the using 6-point sockets.

As was also pointed out, you can't drain the tap water flush and replace it with distilled water without removing the engine block drain plugss.

On my Ford explorer, the block has no drains, so I just drain and replace the coolant twice. That gets most of the old coolant which has suspended metals.

Anyone know if you only need to remove one, instead of two plugs to completely drain the block?

borland
90' S4

 

I'm worried about mine being in there pretty good (if the condition of my hoses are any indication) It seems that the PO only did what was necessary to keep the car alive, aside from having the TB/WP done right before I bought the car, and not too many of the "little jobs" that are important. When I get them out, I'll have to make sure I get anti-seize and give 'em a good coat.

 

Nicole's plugs were untouched, but they came out easily with a Gearwrench. Untouched may be better as they should have the factory antisieze still on them.

 

Before I managed to remove my drain plugs I used Wally's "drain - fill - run" cycle to flush my car's system, it took seven cycles for the coolant colour to disappear.

 

Removing bolts and spark plugs is the most stressful and important procedures on 928's because of the aluminum. Most of these on mine had not been removed recently or ever. Galling is a problem. I have used anti-sieze on everything that went back in.

Use a steady and FLAT pull on a good wrench and I would say that you should remove the block plugs, i did.

I always soaked all bolts with liquid wrench for a day or 2 before removing.

 

Borland,

'Anyone know if you only need to remove one, instead of two plugs to completely drain the block?'

I just removed both this past weekend and they each leaked at least a liter, and that was after draining from the radiator drain plug, so if you do either, I'd say to do both.

I will say that of all the orifices (orify?) that I drained, the only one that had any dark fluid in it was the lower radiator hose. The last cup or so that came out of there was full of sediment. What came out of the drain plugs was really clean, so maybe they don't have to be pulled if you want to flush instead.

 

yes so it is a massive problem and time waster for me, I always just drain and flush the system with distilled water once the car is running again.

 

"the only one that had any dark fluid in it was the lower radiator hose"

NJ, did you drain the radiator, the block and pull the hoses?