Does anyone know where this drain plug is on my 1990, 240DL, automatic?

I am going to change the radiator, the haynes manual says there is a drain plug to release the coolant. I persume this is somehere convinient to place a pan to collect the fluid. Any tips/notes on changing radiator is also appreciated.

thanks

zakir

Like Jason says, there is no dain plug in the radiator itself. The only drain is on the engine block under the exhaust manifold toward the rear of the engine. You do not have to remove the splash pan to replace the radiator, but there is a plastic tywrap holding the intake preheater hose to the fan shroud, and that is easier to reach from the bottom. Be careful (if your car is automatic) with the trans coolant lines.

Look on the passenger side of the engine block, down under the exhaust manifold. There is a draincock there. You can slip a piece of rubber tubing over the tip to route it to your pan and wrench the nut to open it and drain nearly all the coolant out (make sure your heater control is on full heat.) There will probably still be a little coolant left in the lower hose and radiator when you're done.

Taking the radiator out/replacing it is really easy.

how much coolant do I have to add after draining the radiator ? - I know I probably won't drain it all out, but how much does the system take , so I can buy the sufficient quantity ?

thanks

zakir

Do I have to remove the Splash Pan/Gravel Shield to be able to see this ?

I will be doing this job on the weekend, and until then I won't have then time to look for this drain plug a sit gets dark by the time I get home from work, that's why I am asking so I don't post again on saturday.

thanks

zakir

I replaced my radiator and initially avoided the oddly located drain plug, draining fluid by removing the bottom hose from the radiator. In the end, I found the "correct" drain plug located on the engine block much easier to use, and it drained more fluid out of the system. It does not look like a spigot or normal valve. It looks like a brass fitting for air designed to accept a plyable hose. It is located on the right side towards the rear, and bottom of the engine (not transmission), accessible from the top not underneath.

No, it is easily visible, and accessible, from the top. Its the only protruding part down in that area of the block.