Radiator Drain on an '01?

[sbxj]

does anyone have a clue where the petXXXX valve is and how to get to it? The FSM isn't clear at all about it's location...what a waste of $$$
Thanks Mucho
haha, they edited my word

 

[Idiot Wind]

You are correct, the FSM isn't clear about how to get to it. Since you have the FSM look up Front Operating Panel, remove that (removing just the grill was worthless), I left the headlights in and secured the Panel, and look near the bottom of the left hand side of the radiator and you should see it.

I was able to get to it rather easily. This was on my 2000 and I am assuming yours will be the same.

 

[soccerdude]

I just drained the radiator on my '98 XJ Limited. I agree that the manual is pretty vague on how to do it. I had to remove the grill and grill assembly to get to the drain plug. I tried to get it from below, but the plug was almost impossible to turn. I hope this helps.

 

[saki669]

Gotta love that American Engineering.....

Don't fight it. Just take off the grill and header. I poked the valve with screwdrivers for 45 min trying to get it open. Waste of time.

 

[AZ Jeff]

On my 2000, I got tired of screwing around each year. (I flush my cooling system annually--a byproduct of having owned Fords and their crappy radiators in the past.)

In any case, what I did was to take out the grille, and the right headlight bezel. Then I removed the right parking brake assy.

I then used a dremel tool with a cut-off saw and a sanding drum to open up clearance in the front header panel to get some tools (small channel-locks) on the end of the petXXXX knob.

This now allows me to reach and turn the drain without doing too many contortions........

 

[Sparkman]

I made a custom tool to turn the thingy, but in the future I will save myself the headache and just use the lower radiator hose for draining the system.

 

[CORE 4WD]

This is what I made for the drain valve on my '99 4.0. I access by pulling p-side parking lamp, light and bezel. Use a 1/4 ratchet and short extension. Sorry so blurry. Just take a small socket and make a groove across it with a cut off disc.

 

[sbxj]

Thanks everyone