Im in the process of changing my timing chain and I just removed the lower radiator hose. Anyone know why there is a long @$$ spring in the hose? I would take picture buit I dont have a camera with me. Im replacing the hose but the napa replacement doesn't have any spring. The other thing is that the spring is very corroded.

On another note, in the Chilton guide it says that to drain the engine block coolant, undo one of the plugs or the lower radiator hose. Is it really or, or do I need to do both the hose and the plug? Thanks

 

i think the spring was just to keep it stiff, i dont think theres any other reason for it. i dont know about the lower drain valves. mine where clogged so i just said F it and ripped the hose off.

 

The spring is there to stop the hose from collapsing from the suction of the water pump.

 

Correct!

 

I would REALLY leave it in there. Like said above, keeps the suction of the pump from collapsing the hose. If you take it out you could starve the motor of cool fluid and break alot of crap.

 

huh i never thought of that. that makes sense.

 

To answer your second question...draining the coolant...it's best to undo the hose and remove the plug. Even then you still will NOT get all the coolant out of the block. I've drained motors before...pulled them...bolted them to a stand...and then flipped them over and still had tons of coolant spill out all over the floor. So you're never going to get ALL the coolant out. Just get as much out as you can.

 

Well the spring is corroded so if i can clean it ill put it back in otherwise not. Im all the way to the timing cover now so Its time to get that huge crank bolt off. Thanks for the help!

 

Will it be okay if I don't put the spring back in because its corroded and overstreched from when I removed it from the old hose. Any help would be appreciated thanks!

 

It would be better to install a new one, but the old one should also work.