Coolant removal via radiator top?

[AutoTDI]

Has anyone tried removing coolant from the top hose, using a suction pump? I use a pump for oil removal via the dipstick pipe and it works very well, but I don't know how feasible this would be for a radiator. Would the flexible drain tube meet any obstructions on the way down to the bottom of the rad? Maybe there isn't an easy route from top to bottom, although from a visual inspection, it looks as if there might be. I'm trying to avoid crawling underneath, removing the undertray and struggling with the bottom hose.

[zollaf]

i do this but on a discovery tdi, as the rad has a breather plug and you can get the suction tube to the bottom. its a much easier and cleaner way of doing things. i havn't tried it on your particular car, or even my 80, but sometimes you can get the tube down on other cars, sometimes not. what you could do though is use some more flexible pipe. i'm thinking silicon tube as used for rc car fuel pipe, but the biggest bore, or fishtank tube, which would bend enough to go anywhere.

[AutoTDI]

Thanks for the info, zollaf. I'll give it a try and see what happens.