Sticky radiator drain valve

I attempted the coolant drain and fill that’s so well explained in the various tutorials on the forum but ran into a glitch that forced me to call it a night in hopes of coming up with a solution.

I don’t as all set to drain the radiator but the darn valve is extremely difficult to turn, a condition that doesn’t seem to come up in any of the threads I’ve seen here.

After dropping the skid plate I did manage to turn it a bit with tools (pliers worked best) but I can’t turn it enough to drain and even after working it a bit with tools it’s still not moveable with fingers.

So I’m hoping someone has some idea (a tool or lubricant) that can help me get this sucker open. Has anyone seen this before? I was surprised since it seems to be the easiest part for most others.

 

Leave it, drain the rad by removing the lower rad hose.

I would 100% leave it alone, it may break and not seal again.

a 22mm socket works on the drain plugs though.

 

Completely agree, tighten up drain plug as best as possible and carefully remove lower hose to drain system.

 

You can get a replacement drain from Napa, $5.

 

Buy the drain plug, then attempt the plug removal. I suspect the o-ring is sticking. Two bucks on rock auto, five fifty on Amazon. Dorman 61136.

 

I had to use a 22mm socket.
But once mine broke free, it spun out easy with my fingers.

 

This! The one on my boy's '06 broke off. O'Reilly had one for about $5. Apparently the drain plug is used across many years and models of Toyotas and are available everywhere.

 

On the 4.0 the lower rad hose is easily accessible through the driver's side wheel well

 

Every website is saying this won’t fit my 09, is that just bogus info on their part? It certainly looks like the right shape.

 

You may be correct. It shows that it fits on Rock Auto site, but not on Dorman’s website.

 

^^^^^ THIS


hahaha, I've changed coolant in thousands of vehicles (including a full flush).

never once even looked for the drain valve and never had a problem.

 

OEM part is 90080-34011, which cross references to the Dorman # on Dorman’s website. So, somebody take one for the team and get one. I may in a few months when I do a flush for my upcoming 200K.

 

This ended up being the solution. Used a 7/8 socket with an extension and it came loose with little effort.

I kept the skid plate off while filling just to make sure there wasn’t a leak after closing it up but everything was fine.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

FWIW my rad drain valve needed 3/4, not 7/8 - 2009 TRDOR

 

The Dorman is correct. That's the one I got from O'Reilly and it fit perfect.

 

I can confirm the Dorman 61136 fits my 2006 V6 Tacoma radiator (original radiator). I just bought it today and used it since my original petcock o-ring broke. It was easier to just buy a new petcock then try and find the correct o-ring. Just remember to put a little grease on the o-ring before you put the petcock in.

 

WOW ! What a great thread...I always did my own radiator drain and fill and flush...My 09 has 72K on it so I thought I had better service the cooling system...Yup..I fought with the drain plug and gave up...Sent it down to an independent mechanic shop down the road with the correct fluid and had them do it...For 25 bucks done and saved my old back crawling under the car...Never thought of using a socket on it..Great tip ! It's tough to get older !

 

Good thing to know, for others. At 200K I went ahead and replaced all my coolant components, except the hoses which I had done at 150K. The radiator, I replaced with a CST unit and I didn't pay attention if the petcock matched to oem.

 

Well isn't this a gem of a thread! Thanks!