KenD Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Okay, I'm trying my best to do all that I can on my own car without going to the dealership, so bear with me. Rad flush: Everyone says to drain the rad from the lower rad hose. How the heck to you get your hand, let alone a tool into there to undo the clamp? It's almost easier to just undo the upper rad hose where it enters the rad and suck out the antifreeze with a hose. Is there some sort of trick to this? I can't even reach the petcock to drain it. Oil change: Now I feel really stupid asking this question, but on every car that I've done an oil change on there was a drain plug. I can't find the drain plug! There are a ton of bolts holding the oil pan on, but not one main plug. The only thing I can think of is to unscrew the oil filter and let the oil drain from there. Is this correct? I thought I was smarter than this, but I've never done maintenance to this car as of yet. It's always been at the dealership, but for what they're charging now (over $100 per hour) I'd rather put that money to the price of gasoline, than in their pockets. 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Now I feel really stupid asking this question, but on every car that I've done an oil change on there was a drain plug. I can't find the drain plug! There are a ton of bolts holding the oil pan on, but not one main plug. The only thing I can think of is to unscrew the oil filter and let the oil drain from there. Is this correct? O boy... it's really hard to not lough! I'll tell you a funny story and you probably will think twice before taking off any bolt you are not sure of My XGF asked me to change the coolant in her Honda Accord. The manual told about a drain plug somewhere under the car but THERE WAS NO PICTURE. So I got there and could hardly turn my head, did not see anything close to a drain plug. Finally I have got sick and tired and decided to take off the first bolt which MIGHT be a drain plag for the coolant in the engine compartment. I took it off and it appeared to be something different. So i put it back and TIGHTENED as hard as I could! I decided that draining the radiator is enought and said to my XGF her car was fine she can drive home. So she kissed me good buy and happyly took off sppeeding up the hill. In five minutes she CAME back crying It appeared when she got the end of the hill and wanted to turn to the road ... steering wheel did not turn at all she nearly hit a tree stopped the car right in the middle of the road and ran to me obviously to kill mee (at least she threatened if I would not fix the car right away). long story short. It appeared the "plug" I took off and put back was a tensioner for rack-pinion steering mechanism, and it should not be tightened, instead it should be screwd in to the certain point (tension) allowing the whell return after turn. Oh boy it mmay sound funny now, but it was not then believe me... The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted April 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Is that why she's an X? 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Is that why she's an X? Nop, she's still in love with me. READ THE MANUAL! The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gc_caddy Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 I also found it hard to remove the hose at the bottom. To drain the radiator, I removed the air cleaner housing, then reached down to turn the radiator drain cock (at bottom of the rad, the drain cock has a ridge on it), Just turn it a few turns and the coolant will drain out. Once drained, tighten drain cock, remove hose from the TOP, then add Bar's Leak Golden seal, reattach hose and then refill with 50/50 mix. Replace air filter housing. The oil drain plug is on the side of the pan at the bottom, facing towards the rear of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Okay, I'm trying my best to do all that I can on my own car without going to the dealership, so bear with me. Rad flush: Everyone says to drain the rad from the lower rad hose. How the heck to you get your hand, let alone a tool into there to undo the clamp? It's almost easier to just undo the upper rad hose where it enters the rad and suck out the antifreeze with a hose. Is there some sort of trick to this? I can't even reach the petcock to drain it. Oil change: Now I feel really stupid asking this question, but on every car that I've done an oil change on there was a drain plug. I can't find the drain plug! There are a ton of bolts holding the oil pan on, but not one main plug. The only thing I can think of is to unscrew the oil filter and let the oil drain from there. Is this correct? I thought I was smarter than this, but I've never done maintenance to this car as of yet. It's always been at the dealership, but for what they're charging now (over $100 per hour) I'd rather put that money to the price of gasoline, than in their pockets. The radiator petcock is a PITA to access - it is easier if you remove the air filter box. The oil drain plug is on the bottom side on the rear of the pan. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschunke Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Wear gloves so you don't scratch the hell out of your hands. Remove the splash guard from under the car (4 bolts) to access the drain plug (drivers's side, bottom of radiator towards engine compartment). Use a small pair of vise grips to reach in and unscrew the plug. It should be easy to turn once you loosen it. That's how I drained my '94. Does anyone know if there are fill marks on the surge tank? I don't see em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted April 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 Thanks everyone for their help!! 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 There are no fill marks on the surge tank, atleast not on mine. Just put a scale or tape measure in there and coolant should be 1 1/2" - 2" below the top of the tank. I never could figure out why they didn't make that surge tank translucent with fill marks on it. Sure would have been nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted April 5, 2004 Report Share Posted April 5, 2004 ....I never could figure out why they didn't make that surge tank translucent with fill marks on it. Sure would have been nice. They (sort of) did in '98. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted April 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 I went under the car again last night to verify and yup, the drain plug is there. My fault for not looking any further than up to the oil filter, lo and behold, there it was a little farther back in line with the filter. Also finally located the petcock for the rad. You're right, it's a little tough to see without a trouble light and it's tucked nicely at the bottom. Heck, maybe I'll get the girlfriend to come out and stick her hands in there. They're definitely smaller than mine, but I don't know if her arm is long enough. Without her tiny hands and arms I would never have replaced the license plate lights so I'll see if she's up to it. 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeb Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 they say never marry a women with big hands. its not good for your self esteem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STYES Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Ha! Ha! You guys are funny.......not! Don't forget the bars leak! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenD Posted April 7, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Picked up the tabs at the dealer already. $5.00 Canadian for the tabs and $9.00 for the AC Delco oil filter. 1994 STS Pearl White 260,000 KM (163,000 miles) <img src="http://img45.photobucket.com/albums/v137/caesar/caddycaesar.jpg" border="0" class="linked-sig-image" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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