I have an 1988 Cherokee 4.0 liter inline 6. I noticed a coolant hose bulging, and I know this means it needs to be replaced, so I wanted to flush and empty out system.

But I can't find the plug on the radiator! I have slim radiator (not sure if there's a specific name or type to describe it) with a separate bottle for the newer fluid to be added into. I searched all around the radiator for a place to drain it out, but found nothing that looked like a plug or cap I could remove.

I'm also curious as to *how*I would flush this out, as I don't think running water into the bottle up top is gonna do much...

If anyone knows how I would go about draining the radiator on this, I would appreciate it greatly, as this is my only mode of transportation atm. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.

 

There's a drain plug on the passenger side of radiator at the bottom but the easiest way to drain the radiator is to remove the bottom hose and let it drain.

 

There's no real good way to drain the radiator. The drain plug on my '99 is on the bottom on the passenger side where I can't even get my hand on it without removing the end of the bumper.

The lower hose is more accessible, but it's a messy way to drain. I think catching about 50% of the coolant is likely.

 

yut.. when we did my 99 it was sloppy... but a floor with a drain and a squeegee took care of the mess. flush the hell out of it! make sure to back flush the heater core as well!
now is a good time to add a B&M tranny cooler. easy install and it makes it so your tranny is cooled by its own radiator, never a bad thing to give a component its own cooling system...

 

for 2cts. take the grill off maybe 8 screws on front worked on my 92 xj havent tryed my oo yet on vac. in oct. ps with the grill off you can get at the drain plug on the rad. sorry I felt I had to clarify

 

The radiator drain is next to impossible to use. The suggestion of the lower hose the best. Take off your air intake box to get at it real easy. There are only 3 bolts holding it on, spray PB Blaster on the front two from under the car in front of the wheel if they give you a fight. Before you take anything apart invest $5.00 into one of these Prestone Flush Tees. (photo attached) Put your heater on full blast and connect a garden hose on low, and run it untill it flows clear.

 

I used to install the Prestone flush tees on every vehicle I owned until I had one crack in half one time for no apparent reason spilling my coolant and leaving me stranded. I would still use them if they were made of metal instead of plastic. I bet one could be fabbed with hardware store fittings.

 

Drop the lower hose.

Use a BIG catch pan or sometimes I use two of them as it can be a bit messy. Use eye protection as when that hose does finally pop off, the coolant will come rushing out.

 

Ok... crap. xD

I have one question... and one problem.

The question is: I think I have one of the old lower hoses with the spring inside of it. Do I need to find a replacement with the same, or can I just replace it with a hose without a spring?

The problem is: My heater is currently messed up. When I turn it on, all I get is the sound of the motor humming loudly and a "BRRRRT!" sound. I think the belt is worn down to nothing; might even need a new motor at this point.

Can I flush the radiator without running the heat, or would that be a big waste of time?

 

Dracos, keep in mind there will be clean water left in the system after you flush unless you have access to compressed air. I just did mine yesterday and refilled with 50/50 mixture. I only got 2 gals. back into it (3 gal. capacity). I would have been better off refilling with straight Prestone. Just something to think about.