Like Jason says, there is no dain plug in the radiator itself. The only drain is on the engine block under the exhaust manifold toward the rear of the engine. You do not have to remove the splash pan to replace the radiator, but there is a plastic tywrap holding the intake preheater hose to the fan shroud, and that is easier to reach from the bottom. Be careful (if your car is automatic) with the trans coolant lines.