Is this an important piece?

[idgiecat]

Anyone know what this screw is for? Found it lying loose under the bonnet when I opened it yesterday to top up washer fluid. Car was at the dealer the other week getting the engine temperature sensor replaced, is this likely to have been left off when they put it back together????

[cyclone]

looks like a bleed screw for something.

[idgiecat]

looks like a bleed screw for something.

Hmm I think you may be right, in fact looking at this diagram - http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/att...outlettank.jpg it may well be the engine water drain screw (item 09) . Question is (not being an expert) is this a part of the engine which I can easily access to check if the
screw is completely missing or if having misplaced the screw the mechanic has put in a new one....

[DaveB]

Question is (not being an expert) is this a part of the engine which I can easily access to check if the
screw is completely missing or if having misplaced the screw the mechanic has put in a new one....

If it's missing all the coolant will have drained out! Looks like it's just been misplaced & a new one fitted.

[ed taylor]

Yes. It looks like a radiator drain plug. Someone must have "lost" it there. As no doubt it hasn't come out or your radiator as you would have lost all the water a long time ago. Keep it for a spare.

[Jamie@SPTuning]

The thermostat housing generally comes with a new one fitted.
It would have been from the old unit.

[idgiecat]

Thanks guys - coolant levels are at full so its all good Its always a bit worrying when you find "spare" bits rattling around and don know where they should be!

[DaveB]

Its always a bit worrying when you find "spare" bits rattling around and don know where they should be!

One of the people I used to work with had the instincts of a true engineer - anything new & small enough to bring into the office was dismantled just to see how it worked. We'd slip an extra part into his pile of bits just to watch his consternation when he reassembled it & had something left over.

[cyclone]

You are an evil man Dave.

[lfcrule1972]

My sense of humour though

[DaveB]

You are an evil man Dave.

Note that I said "we"! I was just led astray. . .