I was about to drain my radiator to start the flush and fill process when I noticed some droplets of fluid. I traced the moisture back up and it seems to be a slow drip leak coming from the part that the top radiator hose attaches to, which then attaches into the water pump with 2 bolts. It seems to be coming from the bottom of that part, near the bottom bolt, between that part and the water pump. Sorry, I'm not sure what that part is - thermostat housing maybe? Should I replace that part or is there a gasket that maybe just needs to be replaced, or both?

I'm going to put the flush and fill on hold until I figure out how to fix this and have the part(s) in hand. No need to have to drain it all out again. It appears to be a minimal leak at this point. I topped off my overflow a few weeks ago and now, cold, the level has only dropped from the near max fill line to about the min fill line.

Also, I searched but didn't find a 100% answer to this. If anyone knows how to properly open the petcock to drain, please post. I see it's all plastic down there so I don't want to mess up.

 

use a socket to open the petcock, i can't remember what size it is but thats how i did it. it sounds like your thermostat housing is leaking, you can get a new gaskit for that and while you have it off put a new thermostat in, they don't cost very much anyways