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Philthy
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2003
16:50:07
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 Subject: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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I'm going to do a cooling system flush. I know I need to remove radiator cap, open the radiator draincock and remove the engine block coolant drain plug. Where is the engine block coolant drain plug and how can I get to it? I tried looking underneath and I can't find it. I have a 2002 V6 3.9L Dak sport. Thanks for the help.
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are u sure
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2003
17:18:53
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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are you sure you want to do that.....00 and up has extended life coolant
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Jon
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2003
18:23:06
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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It's still a good idea to change it. GM Dexcool is extended life coolant too, you should see how it sludges up radiators.
Personally i never worry about the block drains, not all vehicles have them, and if they haven't been opened in 3 or 4 years you can't be sure they will close back up.
I just drain the radiator, which will drian about 1/2 the coolant out of the engine block, then refill it with the coolant and water and let the truck run for a few minutes with the radiator cap off to let the air work it's way out. If you change the coolant every year you don't have to worry about the little bit left in th eengine block.
-Jon
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Philthy
Dodge Dakota
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10/12/2003
23:50:17
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Yeah, I know that the radiator will drain about 1/2 the coolant but I'd still like to know where the drain plug is. Thanks for the help and advice.
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Philthy
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
10:23:17
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Along with knowing where the block drain plug is, I'd really like to know how to drain the engine block of coolant because a little boo boo was made recently. The radiator was drained via the draincock. However....and what a stupid mistake this was....the radiator was then filled with about 4 qts of regular garden hose water and the car was ran for about 10 min to flush system. Then the radiator was drained again. Should have never added the tap water to flush. So, now I would like to redeem myself and do it correctly. I want to fully flush the system and correctly replace it with distilled water and coolant. I'm sure you can understand my concern. Tap water can corrode the system parts.
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Mark green 92
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
12:25:52
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Block drain plugs are near the engine mounts just above the oil pan. If it has been a while since they were removed, you may need to cut through the dirt with a coat hanger or scrap of wire to get the block to drain.
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Philthy Moron
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
12:30:15
|  RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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u big dummy
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Philthy
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
13:57:39
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Yeah, I know....I'm a dummy. Thanks for pointing that out.
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
15:39:42
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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I wouldn't worry about tap water vs garden hose water vs distilled water, unless you are in a really hard water area. If you flush and fill every year or two with a 50/50 antifreeze mixture it shouldn't matter much, if you let the original stuff sit in there for years and years is when you have radiator problems. The seals on your half plastic/half metal radiator will go bad before you have corrosion/hard water issues with regular flushes (should last at least 12-13 years). Are you really going to have the truck that long? Most people don't, my prevous truck was in the family for 25 years (replaced the radiator after 20 years of age)and my Dakota is a '91, just had the original rad. replaced.
Just my 2 cents worth.
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S. Hardy
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
16:04:25
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Use a 1/2 drive and a 6 piont socket so you don't round the head off the bolt.
My 99 3.9 right side drian plug was behind the engine mount.
My Dad switched over to that orange extended life stuff 2 years ago and He's been kicking himself ever since. He started getting a bunch of gasket leaks.
It just wasn't 1 car, it was all 4 cars that started leaking. 2 daily drivers 2 show cars.
I'm not going near the stuff.
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GB2000
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
16:41:29
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Draincock...rofl...I like that word...
S. Hardy...last I knew, a lot of people said it wasn't a good idea to put the extended life stuff in radiators that weren't made for it because it would cause themm to start breaking down and leaking. Dunno if that's true, just what I heard...
Quick question, I got a 98 dak...about how much coolant does it take to refill the radiator (before mixing with half water)? I prolly should drain mine and get new coolant in it. I've had the truck a year now and haven't changed it yet.
Josh
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
17:11:22
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Dilute the coolant before you add it, that way you know your getting a good 50/50 mix.
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GB2000
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
17:25:04
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Yeah...I'll dilute it first, but I need to figure out how much I'd need to buy. Don't wanna buy 2 bottles if I only need 1 and don't wanna buy 1 if I need 2, etc.
Josh
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
17:46:13
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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When I flushed the radiator on my '91 Dakota, I bought one gallon, diluted it (up to two gallons), drained the radiator, ran water through the radiator till it was nice and clear, then refilled and checked later. Thats all mine took, I think the whole cooling system holds three gallons total, but you won't get it all out unless you drain the block like Phil thy wants to. I guess he is wanting to pull the freeze plugs to get all of the antifreeze out? Seems overkill.
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Jon
Dodge Dakota
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10/13/2003
19:14:04
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Don't worry about the tap water. You only need distilled water in race cars that run straight water with no coolant or additives. The coolant prevents the corrosion no matter what water you use.
-Jon
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Ram1500D
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
20:49:06
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Drain plugs for the block are located at the front of each side of the block, next to the oil pan rail. These are tucked rather close to the motor mounts and are forward of them. These plugs should be removed with a six sided socket or wrench, since it is easy to damage the points on the plug. They will be tight if they have never been removed, and are an interference fit.
I would suggest if you are going to do a real cooling system maintanence, that you remove them and run the water hose for a few minutes at least. Beginning in the 2001 series 3.9, Mopar started using a newer hybrid style coolant.
The orange coolant is called by the generic name 'Dex-Cool'. Even though that's a GM trade name, everyone uses that name in their advertising. I suggest you do not use this coolant in your Mopar.
The green coolant must not be mixed with the orange or magenta coolants. When replacing coolant a complete system flush must be performed before using the replacement coolant.
Mopar Antifreeze/Coolant, 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula (MS-9769) may not be mixed with any other type of antifreeze. Doing so will reduce the corrosion protection and may result in premature water pump seal failure. If non-HOAT coolant is introduced into the cooling system in an emergency, it should be replaced with the specified coolant as soon as possible.
Hope this helps.
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scott
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2003
03:50:52
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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where in blue hell is the radiator draincock on a 00 3.9....i cant find it anywhere!
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David
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
10:45:25
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Radiator Drain cock if your looking at engine is on the right side bottom of the radiator might need to remove that plastic peices under the radiator attached the the bumper to get to it!
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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12/09/2011
20:41:14
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Hey guys, I recently purchased a 2000 Dakota 3.9 4x4 and have water leaking out the passenger side engine block, behind the engines right side motor mount. Im assuming its not a motor mount screw that is leaking, but it looks like it visually. Ive heard that Dodge used motor mount screws as block drain plugs, so Im hoping its not the case with my motor too. Anyway, being that everything is 11 years old now and rusty, I didnt want to remove/replace anything, so I used Alumaseal and it worked great. Only 20 min's drive time on the motor so far, but no leaks!! I'd suggest this as a quick curb side fix, only $2 for the powder. But buy 2 and keep 1 extra in the truck because usually 1 application will stop the leak but sometimes a second application is needed in the next days/weeks/up to a couple months later. But then thats it in my experience with it in the past, then it lasts for as long as you own the vehicle. I've had it hold for 5 years + on more than one vehicle. I've used it many times before on cracked radiators and it works permanently for years with no increase in water temperature or anything else negative. It could save a vacation, save a giant bill, etc. It will probably work just fine, try it.
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mia pron khal
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2018
00:04:34
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Lz7efi It as not that I want to duplicate your web site, but I really like the style and design. Could you tell me which style are you using? Or was it custom made?
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2019
15:19:36
| RE: Engine block coolant drain plug???
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Okay, I don't want to crawl under my truck, snow, ice and 60 yrs old. I drained my radiator from the petcock until it stopped dripping. I'm adding Prestone concentrated antifreeze at a 70%/30% mix for maximum protection. BUT the clincher, only 70% of a gallon of antifreeze fit back in. To much water was left in the system so my freeze point is +20F. Is there another way of draining more from the system other than the block plugs?
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