I dont know how to remove the radiator drain plug on a 98 chevy malibu it looks like a rubber plug I dont want to break it help.

Many newer radiators don't have drain plugs. Plus, you don't want to use the drain plug to drain your radiator because the plastic stem or rubber o-ring usually hardens with age and breaks off when you close the valve. Then you've got a real mess on your hands. Shops just remove the lower radiator hose to drain the system. It's faster and it eliminates the risk of breaking the drain

Don't use the drain plug!!! They always break or leak. Remove the lower radiator hose and let it drain from there. That avoids all potential problems with the petcock

There are two! the easy one should be right under the bottom radiator hose on the radiator . the second is harder to get to it's located on the engine block, depending what motor you have depends where it is located, usually on the side towards the bottom. its a screw in plug when removed it will drain your engine.

Place a drain pan under the petcock.
Slowly turn the petcock CCW
Be careful to avoid contact with the flow if the car is hot
Open the petcock several turns until the flow is constant.
Remove the radiator cap to allow air into the radiator
once flow has stopped, close the petcock.

Is there anything more we can help you with?

Your Malibu is too new to change the coolant already The coolant is good for 5 years or 150.000 miles, which ever comes first. If oyu are going to replace the coolant, make sure it's the orange coolant and premixed 50/50 water/coolant before refilling the radiator.

To drain the coolant, just disconnect the lower radiator hose. most radiators now don't have a drain plug like the old days. The issue was that the drain plug was breaking since it's plastic or the O rings would break causing fluid to leak from the radiator.

once the radiator is drained, simple reattached the lower radiator hose and refill the system. The other way would be to run the engine till the thermostat opens up and the rest of the coolant in the engine block will make it's way out, but at most you should be fine on to replacing the coolant at the radiator only and then run the engine to ensure you have got all the air out of the system.

Just make sure you replace the radiator cap first before you shut the engine down. It you do shut the engine down first before you place the cap back on, the coolant will blow out.

Thank you for using fixy and be safe.

On the V6, there is a drain plug on the bottom of the driver side plastic tank. On the 4 cylinder, it's on the other tank at the bottom.

It's located on the drivers side of the radiator opposite of the lower radiator hose. Note: you may be better off disconnecting the lower radiator hose, it's common for the drain plug to break or the O-rings to split causing more work to drain the radiator. That's why most tech's will drain the radiator from the lower radiator hose, less chance of breaking the radiator drain plug and most new cars now don't come with a drain plug to the radiator.

There common to break off, you can pick up the replacement drain plug at NAPA and buy a stud retracter to remove the drain plug. if the plug is not leaking, Leave it alone and to drain the radiator, just disconnect the lower radiator hose on the opposite side of the radiator.

Good luck and hope this helps you on your project.

Well usually the center is setup for just the square end of a 1/4" rachet (used with a short extention). Look at the end and see it it has a small square hole in it. I'm not sure who told you to take the hose off, and I know you dont want to hear it, but that is great advise. GM petcocks are plastic inside and out. They get eaten up by the antifreeze as it ages and frequently break. Thats major trouble, depending on the break, it could mean a new radiator. The hose is messy, but the way to go. I will not allow the mechanics who work for me to open most plastic petcocks for this reason.

i hate myself removing those drain plug i had a couple break on me i always remove thethe lower radiator hose try removing it at the water pump less danger to break the radiator
remove hose put it down and everything will come off thanks pierre