klpps

I was looking under the front of my 2003 SC430 today and saw this white tube pointing straight down. It's on the driver side right behind the radiator. Anyone know what this is for and where I need to stick it?

My windshield washer resavoir is leaking... I wonder if it's related?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

mdpuff

That is you radiator drain. Someone put a piece of hose on it and never took it off. Nothing to worry about and nothing to do with your windshield washer leak. You can leave it the way it is or you can remove the piece of hose for future use. Just makes it a little easier to drain your rad without getting antifreeze all over the place.

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Mine also has that hose so I think it might be that way from the factory, as I have never had to do a radiator flush.

Bgw70

That tube goes through the bottom plastic cover so you can drain the radiator without removing the cover.

make sure you slip the hose through the hole in the bottom cover when you reinstall the cover.

klpps

Thanks. I bought mine without a bottom engine cover, so I guess I don't need to worry about that. Thanks for everyone's help.

Bgw70

mine was missing too but I purchased a new one...helps protect from any road debris flying up into the engine area. There are two covers.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

In the modern car an open engine bay on the bottom is the single characteristic that creates the most drag. Lots of turbulence.

mandyfig

I agree. Likewise the lack of covers affect the engine temperature control, hence nowadays, they are almost sealed. Also you will notice that the advanced cars have variable grilles, which open and close depending on cooling and/or heating needs on the optimal engine temperature. Keep in mind the engine loses the energy by dissipating the heat. The constraint on the heat retention is the maximum temperature the engine block can take without melting or deforming. If heat can be recycled efficiently (talking about internal combustion engines) then we all win. The highest thermal efficiency is just about 33%. However keep in mind, not too long ago it was in the low 20's!

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...also you'll be surprised how much cleaner your engine bay will be with that splash pan