I just had the water pump replaced on my 1996 F150. While looking around afterwards, I noticed two threaded fittings on the back (engine) side of the radiator, one toward the top of the radiator and one towards the bottom, that I had never noticed before.

They are on the right side and are 1/4" or so in diameter, one toward the top of the radiator and one towards the bottom. Looking inside with a mirror & flashlight, seem to have a valve in them. My first thought was that they were for servicing the radiator or bleeding the system

What are these for, and should they have some sort of plug or cap on them?

Thanks for any assistance!

Steve

 

Sounds like the fittings for the tranny cooler lines if it's a manual or the oil cooler if it an auto.

Most all replacement radiators have the tranny fittings on them so they can be used on either transmissions.

Nothing to worry about either way you can plug them if you want or just leave as is.
There shouldn't be a valve in either.

 

I thought ninth gen tranny coolers were their own mini radiators...

 

The coolers for the automatics are in the radiator either on the bottom or sides unless you have a towing package then it had the extra cooler that was in front of the radiator and the oil cooler that is on the side of the radiator also.

 

I see. I wasn't aware the trans needed a cooler unless it was intended for heavy use (hence the tow package?). I just keep learning about our trucks.

 

Your truck is a stick, those are for automatics. Capping is unnecessary.

 

Thanks guys! I won't worry about them. I might try to cover or plug them, though.

And yes, the truck is a stick.