Engine Oil Pan/ Drain Plug
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 53
From: Sweden
Engine Oil Pan/ Drain Plug
I still have a small leakage from the Oil Drain Plug after changing oil/filter and
Drain Plug Gasket. I dont want to tighten it harder and destroy the threads in the oil pan. I would like to buy a new Drain Plug and Gasket first but I am not sure about the threads. Unfortunately I live in a mm-land. I would appreciate some help. Could it be 1/2"-20 (UNF)? Which Gasket seals best? Alu, copper or nylon?
Drain Plug Gasket. I dont want to tighten it harder and destroy the threads in the oil pan. I would like to buy a new Drain Plug and Gasket first but I am not sure about the threads. Unfortunately I live in a mm-land. I would appreciate some help. Could it be 1/2"-20 (UNF)? Which Gasket seals best? Alu, copper or nylon?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
1/2-20.
If the plug hole is worn out, they make oversized drain plugs for that purpose. Single and double oversize. I don't know what the actual size of those would be. Probably in the thousandths bigger.
Nylon is the best plug gasket IMO.
If the plug hole is worn out, they make oversized drain plugs for that purpose. Single and double oversize. I don't know what the actual size of those would be. Probably in the thousandths bigger.
Nylon is the best plug gasket IMO.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
mm-land?
Drain plug gaskets are easily available at any auto parts store or on-line. Fiber, nylon, rubber, compressible copper - take your pick.They all work pretty much the same the first time. I'll second that nylon ones work best for repeated tightenings for me.
Drain plug gaskets are easily available at any auto parts store or on-line. Fiber, nylon, rubber, compressible copper - take your pick.They all work pretty much the same the first time. I'll second that nylon ones work best for repeated tightenings for me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
I still have a small leakage from the Oil Drain Plug after changing oil/filter and
Drain Plug Gasket. I dont want to tighten it harder and destroy the threads in the oil pan. I would like to buy a new Drain Plug and Gasket first but I am not sure about the threads. Unfortunately I live in a mm-land. I would appreciate some help. Could it be 1/2"-20 (UNF)? Which Gasket seals best? Alu, copper or nylon?
Drain Plug Gasket. I dont want to tighten it harder and destroy the threads in the oil pan. I would like to buy a new Drain Plug and Gasket first but I am not sure about the threads. Unfortunately I live in a mm-land. I would appreciate some help. Could it be 1/2"-20 (UNF)? Which Gasket seals best? Alu, copper or nylon?
Engine Oil Drain Oil Drain Plug Parts | RockAuto
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 53
From: Sweden
Thanks! I wish we had your assortment "over here". I got an aluminum gasket
and torqued to spec but it was still leaking. Didn't want to tight it harder.
Now I ordered a new Drain Plug and Nylon Gasket ( they didn't had one in store) I will try this before I go on with an oversized.
HoustonDave! I am sorry about my "mm-land" expression. I just meant we mostly use the metric system over here and it's sometimes even difficult to get
the most common UNF/UNC bolts and nuts. Thanks for your helpfulness and
patience with my bad (very old) school english. I appreciate it A LOT ! ! !
and torqued to spec but it was still leaking. Didn't want to tight it harder.
Now I ordered a new Drain Plug and Nylon Gasket ( they didn't had one in store) I will try this before I go on with an oversized.
HoustonDave! I am sorry about my "mm-land" expression. I just meant we mostly use the metric system over here and it's sometimes even difficult to get
the most common UNF/UNC bolts and nuts. Thanks for your helpfulness and
patience with my bad (very old) school english. I appreciate it A LOT ! ! !
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 78
From: NE Texas
my apologies for not noticing you were in Sweden - that explains a lot. Do a search in the forum; there are a LOT of internet and mail-order places which may increase your parts availability. Sadly, the shipping will probably be high as well, but an available expensive part is 'way better than an inexpensive non-available one.
http://www.engineeredpartsinc.com/pd...onversions.pdf says you should look for a M14 x 2 plug.
http://www.engineeredpartsinc.com/pd...onversions.pdf says you should look for a M14 x 2 plug.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,762
Likes: 2,590
From: The Shenandoah Valley
You know that the "oversize" plugs cut a larger diameter thread but with same thread pitch. Once used, that plug or one just like it is what will fit that new hole, a standard 1/2-20 will not work after that.
They are offered in at least +1, +2 .... and some places even have a +3 "oversize".
I'd start with just the +1 oversize so you have a backup plan three years from now.
They are offered in at least +1, +2 .... and some places even have a +3 "oversize".
I'd start with just the +1 oversize so you have a backup plan three years from now.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
Thanks! I wish we had your assortment "over here". I got an aluminum gasket
and torqued to spec but it was still leaking. Didn't want to tight it harder.
Now I ordered a new Drain Plug and Nylon Gasket ( they didn't had one in store) I will try this before I go on with an oversized.
HoustonDave! I am sorry about my "mm-land" expression. I just meant we mostly use the metric system over here and it's sometimes even difficult to get
the most common UNF/UNC bolts and nuts. Thanks for your helpfulness and
patience with my bad (very old) school english. I appreciate it A LOT ! ! !
and torqued to spec but it was still leaking. Didn't want to tight it harder.
Now I ordered a new Drain Plug and Nylon Gasket ( they didn't had one in store) I will try this before I go on with an oversized.
HoustonDave! I am sorry about my "mm-land" expression. I just meant we mostly use the metric system over here and it's sometimes even difficult to get
the most common UNF/UNC bolts and nuts. Thanks for your helpfulness and
patience with my bad (very old) school english. I appreciate it A LOT ! ! !
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 474
Likes: 11
I had a slow drip from the drain plug for years, tried copper and nylon washers and nothing stopped it. Always said one day I'd replace the pan (figured the pan was shot). This last oil change the plug finally stripped out and after replacing with a new one from Advance Auto Parts I haven't had a single drop of oil. The plug is bone dry now. I figure the threads on the old plug were worn out, allowing oil to seep out. Heard from a few buddies that the steel oil pans are made of pretty hard metal, so stripping them out is hard to do. Drain plugs are purposely made out of softer metal, to help seal and prevent stripping out the oil pan. Not sure if it's true, but makes sense!
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 53
From: Sweden
Once again. Thanks a lot everyone!!
tbear853. Yes, I understand but I am going to try a new 1/2-20 Plug with a Nylon Gasket first and if it's not working I will try the +1 oversize. If I am going for the oversize Plug I will come back to you for some more questions about how to perform it.
Ozzie H. I am going to make an order from USA this winter and have been used NPD, Summit and some more auto parts merchants before. Time is not a factor. I also got some fantastic help with used parts and shipping from a forum member. Most of the time I prefer good used parts before chinese steel.
tlrtucker. Your theory about the Oil Pan sounds interesting. What I can se looking at the threads in the Pan they look quite normal but Plug looks worn.
I will hope for the best with the new one!
tbear853. Yes, I understand but I am going to try a new 1/2-20 Plug with a Nylon Gasket first and if it's not working I will try the +1 oversize. If I am going for the oversize Plug I will come back to you for some more questions about how to perform it.
Ozzie H. I am going to make an order from USA this winter and have been used NPD, Summit and some more auto parts merchants before. Time is not a factor. I also got some fantastic help with used parts and shipping from a forum member. Most of the time I prefer good used parts before chinese steel.
tlrtucker. Your theory about the Oil Pan sounds interesting. What I can se looking at the threads in the Pan they look quite normal but Plug looks worn.
I will hope for the best with the new one!
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,762
Likes: 2,590
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I also meant to add that lately I've been using oil drain plug gaskets that are like a O-ring captured in a metal washer. Very good results and no chance of a crack across the face. I have had nylon ones crack.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 53
From: Sweden
It's a very good suggestion with the O-ring/Metal Gasket. Dont find them in 1/2" over here but I will order a couple from USA if it's not working with the Nylon Gasket. My third choice is the oversize Plug. Even an easy-fix can be complicated on the wrong continent and above the Arctic Circle!!! Thanks a lot!!!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 48
From: Great American SouthWest
My paternal great-grandparents immigrated from Sweden and settled in Montana. I guess Sweden wasn't cold enough. My great-grandfather liked to say Montana had 9 months of winter and three months of late fall!
More importantly, when I had a pan drain bolt drip, I replaced it with a standard size plug and washer. I think the plugs are softer than the pan threaded inserts, and eventually can leak
More importantly, when I had a pan drain bolt drip, I replaced it with a standard size plug and washer. I think the plugs are softer than the pan threaded inserts, and eventually can leak