96 850t turbo return line gasket repair question.

[rguzz]

Do I need to drain my coolant for this job? Others have not IIRC.

[rguzz]

To drain or not to drain, that is the question. Worth avoiding as I have older silicone coolant hoses (bitch to remove and replace) and an older radiator with a finicky petcock. The risk of a complication with a drain exist in theory, anyway. I can always try to remove the tube without draining and adapt along the way I suppose.

[Sveedy]

I usually just break free the bottom radiator hose at the radiator, and drain some off that way. You don't need to take the hose all of the way off. Going to be a little messy regardless.

[erikv11]

The drain in the engine block is right there if you're under the car, and is a clean way to drain coolant if you put a piece of tubing on it. I think that will get the level low enough for this job? Take a look.

Otherwise I'd use the lower hose, also don't like messing with the petcock.

[rguzz]

Maybe the block drain is the way to go. The problem with the lower rad hose is it's silicone, older, and practically fused to the radiator, so a little worried about messing with it.