MrBraco

I am doing some minor work on my VE30DE and came to a point where I need to drain the coolant from the engine block. I already have the radiator fluid empty but I can't seem to find the plug from the block.

I searched on the forum and web but can't find any photo or specific information of the exact location.

Can anybody could direct me to a link or anything to find it ?
Much appreciated.

MrBraco

... ok, it seem that I finaly found my quest but now, is there any way to keep the flow from blowing all over my engine. This is a very tight spot with not much space ...

and unlike the picture, I only have the left bolt to deal with, by the oil filter. Any advice ?

Levsimus

iTrader: (1)

Odds are high you won't be able to get the bolt out anyways - they love to cold weld themselves and seize up. I'd your plug does indeed need more forceful coaxing, apply heat to the bolt or try hitting it with amallet to shock it.

Fingers crossed that yours is an easy one, mine absolutely would not budge so I simply flushed with water to clear the coolant out.

MrBraco

Yep! Mine seems to be "factory welded" ... humm! So.. since I got the coolant from the radiator out (that is at a lower lever than the cylinder head), do you think it drained enough fluid to get the cylinder head off?

Grumpy560

iTrader: (1)

While I was retrieving the passenger CV shaft carrier bracket from a 1990 VG 5 speed last week I mistakenly removed the block drain plug on that side just below the engine mount. There was a good amount of coolant still in the block even though the pick n pull yard drained the cooling system.

Kind of hard to tell what the coolant level is going to be in the block after the system has been drained. Best bet is to remove the lower radiator hose first to let any access coolant drain out if you have not done that already.

Just to be on the safe side I would recommend draining the block if you plan on removing the cylinder heads. Use a 1/2 inch ratchet with a 3 inch extension and 17mm socket and a short breaker bar might be handy but I was able to do it with a 3/8's ratchet from up top because that was all I had with me and yes the drain plugs are in there.

MrBraco

Ok.. I'm not sure of your answer but I wull be more specific...
"On the VE30DE, after draining the radiator, is it enough fluid out to remove the front cylinder head" ..?

Grumpy560

iTrader: (1)

Umm, NO, drain the block or you are going to end up with a huge mess under there afterwords. If you have tried to remove the drain plug on the driver side by the oil filter housing but was unsuccessful then try the drain plug on the passenger side just beneath the motor mount bracket.

MrBraco

Well well, I DID try to pull the head before draining the block, then by the sound of the first drops, i stoped and focused on that plug... then I grew some ***** and got the drain plug out, and STILL made a mess (but lesser) under be car. It was a fun event.. !
Thank you all!

Grumpy560

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, it does get kind of messy under there but in the long run it's less of a mess than what you would of had.

I don't know squat about the VE engines but were you able to find the source of your problem after getting the cylinder head removed?

MrBraco

Well.. it got dark and I can't really do car work at night in my community so ill wait first thing in the morning. .. but one of two things, piston slap or cracked head... there's a surfacing shop around the corner.

MrBraco

ok... some progress. .. after pulling the cylinder head, I noticed my n6 piston was looking completely different from the other two, im talking about the "clean" portion of the piston, judging by the picture would you say it is a sign of a know symptom (like piston going too high in the cylinder) or is this normal wear.. ?