What exactly is it for? I know it's connected to the bottom of the radiator, but what for, and why would anything drip out of it? I see there's a little knob next to it, mine is kind of partially turned (it doesn't sit perfectly vertical or horizontal). Should it be completely one way or the other? I didn't want to touch it for fear of swimming in antifreeze. I'm wondering if I might have bumped it when I took off the skidplate to clean it and paint it. I see a small drip or two on the garage floor.

 

could have been bumped but yes that's the rad drain plug. it should be turned one way or the other. I can't remember which way off hand but I want to say it should be completely flat and level with the ground.

 

Thanks. Does anyone know for sure which way it should be? I don't want to take a bath in antifreeze, or clean it all up off the floor.

 

just screw it in all the way...there's no magic to it.

 

Turn it clock-wise until you cannot turn it anymore? Mine just screws in and out like any old butterfly nut

 

Ok. I wasn't sure if it was like a hose end, where one way was wide open and the other closed.

 

I tried tightening it but it wouldn't budge either way and it's plastic so I didn't want to try too hard and then really be screwed. I guess a small drip here or there isn't really a big deal, just kind of annoying.

 

Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey.

And the technical term is "radiator drain petcock". But it's hard(pardon the pun)to say that to the guy at the parts counter without a chuckle slipping out. So just ask for a new radiator drain plug. He'll know what you mean. They're super-cheap, no more than $3.

 

just be sure you put a big CLEAN bucket under the hose if you want to re-use the anti-freeze. If you don't, any old bucket will do to catch it. I'm not sure, but I think Autozone will reclaim it too. I know they do oil that way.