Discussion:
How to drain a radiator

Hi:

I have a CAT GC40K and I found some oil in the radiator. I wanted to flush the radiator but no where could I find a plug or a host allowing me to release the water from the radiator. Can someone show me how to do it?

Thx
  • Posted 27 Jul 2020 06:30
  • By Marco_Wong
  • joined 27 Jul'20 - 2 messages
  • California, United States
Showing items 1 - 2 of 2 results.
No, I couldn't locate the drain valve or plug. We've been searching for 10~15mini but still unable to locate the drain valve. Will try again later but if we still can't, then we are going to lose a hose that tighted to the radiator and then flush it with a water hose until all coolant out from the radiator.
  • Posted 19 Aug 2020 14:53
  • By Marco_Wong
  • joined 27 Jul'20 - 2 messages
  • California, United States
you figure it out yet?
these trucks sometimes are tight inside that area between the radiator and the engine, the hoses and belts get in the way and make it hard to see the drain valve on the radiator.
If there is not one beside the lower hose or near the transmission line on the reservoir side of the radiator then it may not have been installed, but there should at least be a plug somewhere on that lower tank of the radiator. Some of these cooling systems on these units did not have the usual brass drain valve butterfly type that drains through the center, some of them just had a plastic thumbscrew type drain, when you start to open/unscrew it after a few threads out, it will start draining through a small hole in the threaded area of the plastic thumbscrew so it will start squirting out sideways so be ready for that.
If by some strange chance there is not any drain valve then your only option is to remove the lower hose carefully and use as large a drain pan as possible. Also have some speedy dry or pigmat handy as well because it will make somewhat of a mess if you're not ready for it.
I worked on cat's for years so i would find it unusual for there not to be one on this truck.
  • Posted 16 Aug 2020 00:37
  • Modified 16 Aug 2020 00:39 by poster
  • By swoop223
  • joined 23 Mar'12 - 3,692 messages
  • North Carolina, United States
You've been swooped!
swoop223@gmail.com

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

Global Industry News
edition #1254 - 30 October 2025
In this week’s Forkliftaction News - As an industry, our focus is often on key economic indicators such as productivity and profitability, but we all know our sector simply wouldn’t exist without the skilled operators who bring the machinery to life... Continue reading
Editorial calendar - planned features
CONSTRUCTION FORKLIFTS
HANDLING GOODS IN THE COLD
LOADING/UNLOADING FREIGHT
BROWNFIELD AUTOMATION
FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
BATTERY AFFORDABILITY AND LIFETIME
FORKLIFT SAFETY
Latest job alerts …
Muncie, IN, United States
Upcoming industry events …
November 4-6, 2025 - Jaarbeurs, Netherlands
November 14, 2025 - Melbourne, Australia
December 10-11, 2025 - Louisville, United States
Editorial calendar - planned features
CONSTRUCTION FORKLIFTS
HANDLING GOODS IN THE COLD
LOADING/UNLOADING FREIGHT
BROWNFIELD AUTOMATION
FORKLIFT ATTACHMENTS
BATTERY AFFORDABILITY AND LIFETIME
FORKLIFT SAFETY
UN Forklift FD15-18T
HANGZHOU, Zhejiang, China
New - Sale
UN Forklift FD40T
HANGZHOU, Zhejiang, China
New - Sale
Movers & Shakers
Kai von Berg Kai von Berg
VP sales Europe, EP Equipment Europe
Group president - Vancouver operations, Columbia Machine
Business development manager - UK, IRE, BENELUX, Tyri Lights
President and CEO, Wajax Corporation