Easy question: Is this my oil drain plug?

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2002 Mercury Sable. I'm changing my own oil for the first time. I've taken a couple pictures of what I believe to be the oil drain plug. Please let me know if this is in fact the oil drain plug:


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3053/oilplugmaybeac1.jpg


http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/9814/oilplugmaybe2yq4.jpg




Also, the yellow substance around the plug flaked off when I touched it. I have no idea what that could be. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Roger

without seeing the surrounding parts of the engine underside, I would GUESS that it is the oil plug. The oil pan is usually located under the center of the engine somewhere. Look above that pan, if you see it is attached to the engine block, then it's a pretty good bet it's the oil drain pan.

lokks like transmission drain plug is my guees because of the fins being cast alum. yellow i think is from factory to show it was tight???, oil pan should be one with deep sump large stamped steel with alot of bolts around it.

that is what the drain on the 24 valve engine looks like - 12 valve is diff.