I am about to drain and replace coolant and upon consulting the Rave Manual
It says to remove the drain plugs on the engine block just underneath the exaust manifold
These Plugs are VERY hard to get to, and I have no intention of loosening the exaust..



Is there a trick to doing this??

What percentage of the coolant will be left in the system after removing the Lower Rad Hose??
Do I really need to remove these plugs to get the last little bit of coolant??

 

You don't have to remove them, but there will still bea decent amount in there (maybe 4 quarts or so). You shouldn't have to remove anything to get to them and they come out easilly if you have the right tools. I can't remember exactly, but I think I used and assortment of wobble socketextensions on the drivers side and maybe a racheting end wrench on the passenger side. I think it's worth it, but I wouldn't spend a whole lot of time on trying to get them out though.

 

Tip of the day

The plugs are 3/8 square, so use a 3/8universal joint on the end of a long extension (in reverseso that the ujoint female end goes to the plug). On the outside end (which will be the male end of extension) you can use a pair of vise grips or an 11mm socket with ratchet.

Driver's side: come in behind the front tire just above the frame and below the inner fender
Passenger side: above tire just behind shock tower- you will have to move the starter heat shield out of the way

Good luck

 

Dont bother removing them, just pull the lower radiator hose, if you stand on the front bumper and bounce up and down you will get more out, but there is less than a gallon left inside the engine after removing the lower hose.