I have 2016 F250. Been taking it to my dealer for its oil changes. The last one I had done was only about 1200 miles ago. It's been about 3 months since the oil change. I do not drive the truck very far to get to work so the mileage stays low. I am going on a last minute long trip and wasn't able to book a apt to change the oil so I figured I would do it myself. Well when I went to take the plug out I noticed the dealership cross threaded the bolt into the pan. (Sure glad this is what I pay a supposed professional mechanic to do) it was difficult to remove but noticed after I got it out there was metal shavings on the threads of the bolt. I changed the oil and purchased a new oil plug and it went in fine and snugged up with no problem. I am just worried that the shavings got up into the motor. Any pros out here the could possibly make me feel better about the situation or do I have something to worry about? Any help would be appreciated.

 

There are not enough shavings in the pan to be concerned about. That is also why you have an oil filter. Most of the shavings would have come out when drained the oil.

You might need to go to an oversize plug in the future. I would consider buying one and have it on hand. They are not that expensive.

 

Hi

I don;t know what to tell you about the metal shavings in the engine. It is possible there might a bit or two in there. On the other hand, there might be none. However, to be sure I would say a drop and cleaned out of the oil pan might be the answer.

As for the dealership oil change. Well remember your oil change is probably being performed by a younger person just joining the industry. He or she may have just got out of school and a first job. Who knows what was going on that day. However, if you screw up on an oil change, chances are you are not going to last long in the service department. That is grunt work for the entry level guys trying to move up in the world of the service dept.

 

I appreciate it. The new plug snugged up perfect but I will keep a close eye on it until I feel comfortable. I will slide under the truck and put the wrench on it every so often and check for any drips. but I was really sweating it that there could of been a scored piston.

 

Fordman Thank you for your reply. I did call the dealer and I talked to the service manager and he wasn't very pleased to hear this. He said he was going to document our conversation under my vehicle history and he would send me a hard copy in the mail for my records. He also stated he was going to be pulling the person that did the oil change in the office. Now I'm not about someone losing their job but that's a 48k dollar truck that kid could of destroyed. It's obvious that he used a air tool to put the plug back in. I always put it in finger tight and snugged with a wrench like it should be done so the cross threading doesn't happen.

 

I had service departments cross thread mine more than once (one at Ford, one at Goodyear) and had no issues. I alway convert my drainplug to magnetic and keep a magnet on the oil filter. The photo shows the second oil change at 5 k. First one was at 2.5 k miles

 

A Fumoto drain valve might be a great option to consider.

 

I also had my drain plug cross threaded by the dealer during my free oil changes. Don't know why so many others are having this issue too. Anyway, I just chased the threads on the plug and worked it back and forth into the pan. I have one spot that gives a little resistance when about half way in but not really an issue.

 

the oil filter will not protect the oil pump since the pump is before the filter.

put a magnetic drain plug in the sump.

now the feel good statement......odds are that the oil flow pushed all the threads out of the pan...if the cross threading occured during the last oil change...

 

The last oil change I had done at the Ford house the mechanic came out and handed me my Fumoto drain plug and said "l found this funny looking plug on your oil pan". I explained what it was and attempted to show him how it worked but it was stuck. It looked like some one had some pliers on it! He said thanks for telling him he had never seen one before. Why did he not ask another mechanic about it before asking me! I am a mechanic and I was at a loss for words! I kept cool and went about my day!

 

I think it's a issue of guys not caring and in a hurry to get it done and not paying attention to what they're doing.

 

that is a fantastic idea!! I really appreciate that info and I will get a magnetic drain plug today and put a magnet on my filter. Thank you again.

 

OP It's not about the caring part it's called book time. If the book calls for .5 hours for an oil change, you get paid .5 hours. Not .6 or .4 if you are longer or shorter service time. Many times these oil changes are only 30 minutes or so long. If a service tech is fast, he might have it done in 15 minutes which means he is going to make more money as he can get to the next vehicle. My Brother in Law worked at a dealership body shop. He worked piece work. After a few years he went to an hourly gig that gave him towing hours if he wanted them. It worked out for him since he has a family to support. My dad worked the same way in the biz for a short time. He wound up working for a place that was hourly and treated descent when comped big or important jobs.

If a crossed threaded oil bolt is the only thing, consider yourself lucky. In work, one of our fleet vehicles came off a service plan. I found an oil filter that was at least 45K old per the miles and date on the date was almost 20 months! We saved it and filed a complaint with the dealer but nothing was done with it. The company I worked for paid for a premium service plan. All the maintenance and additional service for 100K miles! Really a freakin $4 filter on the shelf they were probably paying 2 bucks for in the parts department. Sheesh! I fought with them over an air filter since they claimed it was a mileage thing not as needed. I said the vehicle gets about 25K miles/ yr road. A new air filter every 6 months should be installed. The Service Manager agreed.

 

I can EASILY change the oil in my f350 in under 10 minutes...and that's doing it hot and laying on cardboard on my driveway

 

well that's how I discovered the dealership cross threaded my oil plug. But from now on it will be done by me cause I'm not gonna continue to pay morons to destroy my brand new truck.