Coolant draining - help needed!

[wasted]

Need some advice please! I'm trying to drain the coolant out of my engine, and Haynes reckons to disconnect two hoses - one from radiator to thermo housing, and a t-shaped one from the thermo housing.

The first I've removed with no issues, but the other just will not come off - not enough mobility of the hose, due to being so short.

Any advice on this? Any other way to drain the coolant or does that hose absolutely have to come off?

[ianaudia4]

Whatever you do don't damage the t shaped one,they cost a cool £51 from the dealer!
Whenever I have changed coolant I have taken off the bottom hose only.

[wasted]

I was hoping someone might say that! I think I'll run through some clear water a few times to clear out all the crap and refill with coolant. Thanks!

[PeteGLi]

...Any advice on this? Any other way to drain the coolant or does that hose absolutely have to come off?

You will not have drained all the coolant.

I remove the bottom radiator hose and then the thermostat housing and thermostat.

[wasted]

Yeah I figured it'd prevent all the coolant from draining... I ended up filling with fresh water, running the engine for a few minutes, draining, and then repeating 5 times. Should hopefully have cleared it out well enough, but I'll do what you suggest when the summer rolls around!