97 XJ block drain plug tool?

mikedashevillejj

New Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Location
Asheville
Hello,
I'm trying to drain the engine block on my '97 Cherokee (V6 4.0) and I don't know what kind of tool to get or use for the plug? I finally found the plug, and it's a square female-type screw. My ratchets don't fit. It's somewhere between 3/8" and 1/4"? Auto parts stores and the dealer are not being very helpful.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Mike
Asheville
 
First to help when talking to Autoparts guys in is a Inline 6 not a V6.

now are you trying to drian the oil or the coolant?

if coolant the radiator drain plug is behind the passenger headlight.. you just twist it and it will start to drain..I would do this to empty the radiator first.. then after this is done you can flush the system before refiling it.

Please give more detail
 
I'm draining the coolant on Inline 6, yes. I found the radiator drain just fine, and the manual shows the block plug drain also to flush the coolant entirely.

I am going to use K&W block sealer on the engine. Mechanic installed new head gasket and then told us the block was cracked afterwards! I thought, "hey, I'll try and seal the block."

Mike
 
I have a 2000 TJ. Assuming the same block, I looked at Alldata and it calls it a "cylinder block coolant drain plug", but doesn't say what type of tool to use. It has a drawing, and just looks like it would use a ratchet. It also says it is on the left rear side of the block. Is your plug on the left rear side? You may have to call a machine shop that does engines and ask them what to use. Morgan & Son in Drexel did my Vortec. Their number is 828-433-1586.
 
Should just take a 3/8 ratchet, like the front diff cover plug. As far as the block seal goes, good luck with that. It doesent work all that great. Did he say that you cracked the block or that you cracked the head, because cracking the block on a 4.0 is impressive
 
Thanks. I tried the 3/8 and it's too big. They said the block was cracked....impressive, yes, but you haven't seen my wife drive that thing. Might as well try the block seal.
 
Snap On sells several sizes. I used to use them when I worked in the machine shop. A lot of the oil gallys had simular plugs in them.
 
:stupid:

There are several sizes of "square drive" sockets available, may also be able to pick up a set at a well stocked Carquest.

Most times you get lucky and 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive ratchets will work, but then they will also put odd sized plugs in also.

There are male and female sockets specifically for these apps'
 
Okay, thanks everyone on your input. I finally found someone at the dealer who knows what's up. They think I'm crazy about this plug, even though it's clearly illustrated in my owners manaul. Anyway, they say to just pull the bottom radiator hose in order to drain the engine block of coolant. That's a hell of a lot easier, so I'll give it a shot.
 
mikedashevillejj said:
Okay, thanks everyone on your input. I finally found someone at the dealer who knows what's up. They think I'm crazy about this plug, even though it's clearly illustrated in my owners manaul. Anyway, they say to just pull the bottom radiator hose in order to drain the engine block of coolant. That's a hell of a lot easier, so I'll give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Jack up the back of the Jeep to make the coolant run out better.:beer:
 
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