Help! I'm trying to change out the coolant on my 1992 V6 pickup truck and I'm having a hard time finding the engine drain plugs. I have the factory and Haynes manuals which unfortunately show the same sketch. Anyone have a better description of where they are located? If the drain plugs aren't accessible is there an alternate method of replacing the coolant?

Thxs,
John

 

I really don't know where they are on a V6, or my own motor for that matter. I suggest getting 3 gallons of purified water. Drain as much as will come out through the radiator drain plug with the heater control in the HOT position. Refill the rad. with pure water (should take about 2 gallons) and drive around for 10 or 15 minutes with the heater in the HOT position still. Drain the water from the radiator drain plug and refill with a 50/50 mix of antifreze and purified water. Virtualy all old coolant will be removed by doing this.

Don't use tap water in it ever. It contains chlorine and other minerals and crap that will corrode your whole cooling system. Always use purified water, even to flush.

 

... And Welcome Aboard.

 

I know what you mean, those sketches are worthless. I never could find mine either. Ended up just draining out what I could out though the radiator drain. I even looked in the factoy repair manual and it has the same worthless sketch. If anyone ever finds one of them please take a picture of it and post it.

 

I found out it is suppost to be behind the motor mounts on my 3.0L V6. The Toyota mechanic I talked to said it is too hard to get to and he never uses it. I think he said it is a brass screw but I can't see it.

 

I have the same question but for the 5vz-fe, that is, where is the coolant drain plug located on the block? The Haynes manual is pretty vague.

 

on the 3VZ-E, it is between the 1st and 2nd cylinders on the driver side and just above the crankshaft. there are 2 cylinders protruding from the block. from the EPC, it is known as the "Water Drain Cock Plug" with PNC number 11415A.

on the 5VZ-FE, it is on the right side between the 1st & 2nd cylinders on the passenger side. From the EPC, it has the same name and PNC number 11415A.

HTH

 

Pics would be great if you got 'em.

 

Passenger side.. Looks like its forward of the motor mount.. forward of the coil spring mount..

Blue arrow points to the bolt and red arrow points to the drain.

 

Woo Hoo!!! Thanks for the pic!!!

 

HAHAHA...looked for that thing for an hour before pulling the bottom hose. Great pic!

 

I know this post is old as hell but thought it worth metntioning that on 3vze motors from 93 up dont have a driverside drain. Had both 92 and 93 motors on stands and it was a little surprising to see the 93 without. Since then I've investigated several different trucks (I have access to many since my dad is a 4runner specific junker) and thats what Ive concluded.

 

That's odd. Because the 93 FSM shows one on each side of the engine.
http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...08coolantc.pdf
It's not that odd. Because it's probably just as effective, if not more so, to drain the driver's side of the block via the thermostat port and/or the oil cooler coolant intake port. As in, by removing the lower radiator hose and t-stat, and/or the coolant hose running from the engine block to the oil cooler.