how do I change the coolant in an 06 2.2 L?
 

So I've searched around on this forum, and other various sites and can't seem to find any how to procedures on this. I've read that there is a petcock on the passenger side on the bottom of the radiator and that u can drain it there, however I've looked at it before and it looks impossible to turn... how would u go about turning it?? I've read that some people disconnect the lower radiator hose and let it drain there, but how do u drain everything from the block and the radiator? Also how do u go about refilling it? I know to use dex-cool i just don't have a clue how to do it. If anyone has done it or has any insights I would appreciate it.

you just turn that thing. might be a little hard but put some balls into it. and as far as refilling I just poured mine in through the coolant bottle lol. you can get a bleeder from a autoparts store and put it on the overfill nipple when you are adding the coolant just to make sure you don't have any air bubbles stuck in there cuz bubbles = bad

So nobody on this forum has ever changed their coolant or what?? Only one response. Give me some insights people.

Turn the pepcock until the coolant starts to flow out. DO NOT remove the pepcock all the way! There is a drain bolt on the water pump to drain all the coolant from pump and block as well, but it is a bit of a pain to get to and unless you really need to drain all the coolant out of the system I would just stick with doing a drain and fill on the radiator using the pepcock.

Ok cool, what do I use to turn the petcock? There's nothing really on it to grab onto. What happens if it unscrews all the way?

Its been awhile since I did mine, but I think I just used a pair of pliers to turn the pepcock. Be careful because I believe it is just hardened plastic and you don't want to break it or crack it.

The coolant should start comming out after you give it a turn or so. As you turn it a bit more the coolant will come out faster and faster. Once it is coming out in a steady stream there is no point in turning the pepcock anymore or you will actually start removing the pepcock from the radiator and the coolant will actually start to come out slower. FYI - The coolant comes out of a little hole that is actually just above the pepcock and it does not drain straight down from the pepcock so you should position the catch pan behind the radiator a bit and not directly under the pepcock.

If you do remove the pepcock on accident you should be able to get it to go back in but I have seen it cause the pepcock to leak. It shouldn't be a problem because the coolant will start coming out LONG before you get to a point were the pepcock would come out.

So I just jacked my car up and after looking for this pepcock for 5 minutes I finally found it and realized its impossible to actually get ur hand in there with pliers to turn it, anybody that has achieved this I am amazed. So yeah I'm taking the coolant back to the store and im just gonna have firestone or the dealership doin it. This is ridiculous u can't even change ur own antifreeze without it being a pain in the ass.

Nvm troll

You can get to it you just have to remove the inner wheel well plastic piece. It only takes a couple of minutes to get that piece off.

lol changing coolant is too hard?

and I removed the pepcock several times and have no leaks

If your not smart enough to figure out how to change your own coolant then maybe it is best to have someone else do it. I did it on my 2.2 and the petcock worked fine, I have also done it by removing the lower radiator hose either way works. You just have to be motivated to work on your car, anything can be done if you have the motivation.

Took 10 minutes to do this with a pair of pliers. Maybe you're looking at it from the wrong angle?