Drain coolant to replace Heater Valve?

[MotorCityBuick]

Do I need to drain the coolant to remove and replace the heater water valve and associated hoses?

I suspect I do, but that just adds one more thing to do...so I hope I don't have to.

TIA

Mike

 

[bigmac_ns]

I just changed that and my thermostat on the weekend and the drain plug is the first one I've ever seen aimed downward. Imagine that I drained a little over a gallon and changed them out...not a lot of fluid at either really.