What is this engine port (dongle, thingie) MD2030?

[nightowle]

I can't find anything online that tells me what this brass tube with barb end that was added to our 1999 MD 2030C adjacent to the oil filter on the starboard side of the engine.  Does anyone know what it is used for?

Brad/Seattle

[diverphil]

have you got a photo ?

[nightowle]

Sorry...I just attached it.   

[Keweetoo]

Looks like a drain for the the coolant. You should be able to attach a hose to the barbs and undo the end of the brass fitting to drain the engine coolant.

[Stevie H]

Keweetoo is correct -it is in the same position as the original coolant drain tap on my MD2030D. I have always thought the drain tap to be a bit flimsy so suspect a previous owner thought the same and upgraded it or it failed on them.

[nightowle]

thanks, this makes sense.  I thought the drain plug was one of the ones above the oil filter and that this was too low on the block for water/antifreeze.  I'll give it a try as I want to change the coolant anyway.

[diverphil]

Yep. It's to drain the block of coolant