So I'm new to working on the Camaro engine. I Just bought her about 2 months ago ('98 3800 v6), but I noticed I was leaking coolant. Last Saturday she over heated and I check her fluid and I had almost no coolant. It's coming out of a valve or something at the bottom passenger side. Is there suppose to be a plug here, or is this for some reason normal to leak from this? Here's a pic of, I think, what it is

Thanks in advance for any help

 

thats the drain valve. is the fluid coming out of the hole at the bottom? look it over for cracks or breaks. should be able to turn the end of it to see if its closed. if no one has broken the flap u use to unscrew it, turn it counter clockwize a little and then screw it in. if its stuck or sticky u will want to work it lose a little then tighten it. dont overdo it, its plastic and u dont want to break it.

 

whatever that's suppose to be there is completely missing from what i could feel.

 

i would say someone broke the flap off the end of the valve. hopfully. if its not there then u would lose all your coolant. unless its plugged. in that case u could lose a lott of fluid if it opens up. going to need to get under there and check to see if the piece is missing or broken. if its just the flap broken then u may be able to get some small pliers and get it closed all the way. did u just have some work done on the cooling system? heres a couple pictures from my car so u can see what its supposed to look like. hope u can see them.

 

Thanks, I think I understand what's going on. I need to double check everything and see what I need to do.

 

If you can get a pic, even if it's with a camera phone, it would help a lot. If it's like what I think it is you can use a set of needle nose pliers to twist it tight. Or you could remove it, flush the radiator (since it's already empty) and install a brass petcock so that way it won't break off again.