No Radiator Drain On My 2009 Silverado 5.3?

[roegs]

Every couple of years I like to drain out the Dex Cool and fill with new. Looked all over for a petcock on my recently acquired 2009 Silverado, and found nothing. Is there really no way to drain the radiator other than removing the lower hose?

[txab]

Loosen the hose. That's it.

[whitefish]

Just changed the coolant on my 2005, same thing. No Peacock - had to pull the lower hose.

[roegs]

Thanks for the quick replies. I was hoping that I'd somehow missed seeing a drain petcock. For those who have drained by removing the lower hose, do you re-use the spring clamp that GM originally used? In the past I'd replaced the spring clamps with worm-gear style, but those seemed to leak over time. It seems that the spring style clamps would handle expansion / contraction of that lower hose connection better....

[pm26]

Just changed the coolant on my 2005, same thing. No Peacock - had to pull the lower hose.

 

Peacock?

 

GM must have deleted the radiator petcock years ago - my 2006 truck does not have it either.

[redvett]

The spring clamps keep the same tension in -40F or +255F the screw clamps do not. Keep the spring clamps.

[jblakeney]

Bean counters........ strikes again.

 

Spring clamps usually send me for my cut off too..... I always put a lined hose clamp back.

 

Jbo

[pm26]

I am not a big fan of spring hose clamps. Sure, they maintain the same tension on the hose and will not come loose, but they are thin in diameter and have a tendency to leave a deep groove in the hose. And they are often difficult to remove, especially if you cannot access them easily. All stainless band clamps are the way to go.

[Bob D]

The spring clamps keep the same tension in -40F or +255F the screw clamps do not...

When young I used to always replace them with worm clamps. I've grown fond of the constant tension clamps for those reasons. No re-torquing required, especially as hose gets hotter / softer.

Cons: Special tools required.

Assuming you don't carry the "special" tools around with you, roadside repairs can be difficult.

[redvett]

Chanel Locks work great get a pair.

 

The spring clamps keep the same tension in -40F or +255F the screw clamps do not...

When young I used to always replace them with worm clamps. I've grown fond of the constant tension clamps for those reasons. No re-torquing required, especially as hose gets hotter / softer.

Cons: Special tools required.

Assuming you don't carry the "special" tools around with you, roadside repairs can be difficult.

 

[wavery]

I agree with you. I prefer the screw clamps. All S/S clamps are hard to find. Be sure to bring a magnet with you. Most S/S clamps have a ferrous steel screw. It's the screw that corrodes and make a ball of rust over time.

 

Some marine stores carry all S/S clamps. Ideal makes them but they also make the kind with the ferrous screw.

I am not a big fan of spring hose clamps. Sure, they maintain the same tension on the hose and will not come loose, but they are thin in diameter and have a tendency to leave a deep groove in the hose. And they are often difficult to remove, especially if you cannot access them easily. All stainless band clamps are the way to go.

[pm26]

Most ACE hardware stores have a marine section and they carry all SS clamps. The will have "all stainless" engraved on them. You are absolutely right - I have seen clamps with carbon steel worm drive and SS clamp. Using a magnet will eliminate any doubts.

[tanked_darren]

They make it slightly more difficult so you'll hopefully come back to the dealer's shop.

[MikeNH]

Pretty sure the drain went away with the swap to the bigger radiator and e-fans. 2005 I think?

 

Swapping out the spring clamps is foolish IMO. They're way more reliable and come off in seconds with the clamp tool that is readily available. I don't worry about busting a hose and having to deal with it on the highway because frankly I've never had it happen, nor did I ever see it happen to a customer car when I worked at the dealership. I think the modern stuff is just much improved material-wise.

[tanked_darren]

Pretty sure the drain went away with the swap to the bigger radiator and e-fans. 2005 I think?

 

Swapping out the spring clamps is foolish IMO. They're way more reliable and come off in seconds with the clamp tool that is readily available. I don't worry about busting a hose and having to deal with it on the highway because frankly I've never had it happen, nor did I ever see it happen to a customer car when I worked at the dealership. I think the modern stuff is just much improved material-wise.

I agree with you on the spring clamps, in my younger years (under the info of the more old-school) I would cut the spring clamp with a grinder and replace with the screw clamps, yeah after awhile I noticed spring clamps are way better, less chance of weep and the spring clamp is automatically tight.