Plastic Oil Drain Plug
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: MI, but FL winter
Take cross bar off first?
I just looked at my 2018 with the 5L engine. I can't get any leverage using my finger because that bar is in the way. I can come up between with pliers.
But, I can see oil being sprayed all over hitting that bar. Is this Ford's better idea? There is plenty of room on the side for the plug.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
I just looked at my 2018 with the 5L engine. I can't get any leverage using my finger because that bar is in the way. I can come up between with pliers.
But, I can see oil being sprayed all over hitting that bar. Is this Ford's better idea? There is plenty of room on the side for the plug.
Get in there with a large drain pan (I use an 18qt Rubbermaid) and get er done.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Can you be more specific?
Are you asking what material is the drain plug made of on a 2017 5.0L F150?
Plastic or metal?
Or are you asking about an aftermarket drain plug.
Are you asking what material is the drain plug made of on a 2017 5.0L F150?
Plastic or metal?
Or are you asking about an aftermarket drain plug.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 21,195
Likes: 306
From: Near Salmon Arm BC
I for one am extremely glad Ford went to the plastic plug. I like time in the shop so change the company trucks oil often myself and I just put on a work glove, and twist them all out by hand, done dozens and never broken a plug yet.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 941
Likes: 25
From: Port huron MI
I just looked at my 2018 with the 5L engine. I can't get any leverage using my finger because that bar is in the way. I can come up between with pliers.
But, I can see oil being sprayed all over hitting that bar. Is this Ford's better idea? There is plenty of room on the side for the plug.
I like the plastic plug and pan, it wont rust! I would much rather break the plastic plug than strip the pan with a metal one.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
I just looked at my 2018 with the 5L engine. I can't get any leverage using my finger because that bar is in the way. I can come up between with pliers.
But, I can see oil being sprayed all over hitting that bar. Is this Ford's better idea? There is plenty of room on the side for the plug.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 35
From: Utica, Nebraska
Even though I do work at a Dodge dealer, I honestly don't mind doing the plastic plugs. What I do hate is Ford's inconsistency of using the quarter turn wing bolts or 8 or 10mm bolts for the felt skid plates under the F150s
Also not a fan of the multiple gaskets on the 2.7L cartridge filter cap. The one at the tip is a bare to get off even with a small flat head screwdriver. I recommend using a small pocket knife to cut that gasket off or side cutters. Getting the new one on takes some work but not terrible.
Also not a fan of the multiple gaskets on the 2.7L cartridge filter cap. The one at the tip is a bare to get off even with a small flat head screwdriver. I recommend using a small pocket knife to cut that gasket off or side cutters. Getting the new one on takes some work but not terrible.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 369
Likes: 16
From: Pleasant Grove, Alabama
Even though I do work at a Dodge dealer, I honestly don't mind doing the plastic plugs. What I do hate is Ford's inconsistency of using the quarter turn wing bolts or 8 or 10mm bolts for the felt skid plates under the F150s
Also not a fan of the multiple gaskets on the 2.7L cartridge filter cap. The one at the tip is a bare to get off even with a small flat head screwdriver. I recommend using a small pocket knife to cut that gasket off or side cutters. Getting the new one on takes some work but not terrible.
Also not a fan of the multiple gaskets on the 2.7L cartridge filter cap. The one at the tip is a bare to get off even with a small flat head screwdriver. I recommend using a small pocket knife to cut that gasket off or side cutters. Getting the new one on takes some work but not terrible.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
The 3.5 went back to metal pan and $40k is cheap.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
I'd prefer they didn't use plastic oil pans, but I wouldn't to go back to a 5.4 to avoid plastic oil pans.
New User
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I went out into my garage today to change the oil for the first time on my 2017 3.5 Ecoboost today. I found a plastic oil drain plug instead of the usual hex head plug. After watching a few videos on You Tube to see how to remove it I decided that I would prefer to have a spare plug just in case. The questions that I have are:
Does anyone have a part number? I looked online and couldn't find the right match. Does anyone know why Ford decided to use a plastic plug? (I see it as something that will have to be continually replaced)
Thanks
Does anyone have a part number? I looked online and couldn't find the right match. Does anyone know why Ford decided to use a plastic plug? (I see it as something that will have to be continually replaced)
Thanks
Hello, i work at Vavoline and we get plenty of fords coming in with the yellow plastic twist plugs. We replace the plug every time but you will be fine to reuse the current plug for a few more times. The hot oil eventually starts to shrink the plastic and sometimes eats away at the plastic over time so you don’t want to reuse it if you notice any leaks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
Hello, i work at Vavoline and we get plenty of fords coming in with the yellow plastic twist plugs. We replace the plug every time but you will be fine to reuse the current plug for a few more times. The hot oil eventually starts to shrink the plastic and sometimes eats away at the plastic over time so you don’t want to reuse it if you notice any leaks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 48
From: Abilene TX.
I doubt the oil shrinks the plastic. In 60k on my last EcoBoost, I never replaced the plug once. No leaks. The issue is with the o-ring. They do get flat spots, tear, and stretch. Last thing you want to do is get ready to put the plug in and fill her up on a Sunday afternoon, and find the o-ring gave out. Again, 60k, no issues. Just be sure to coat the o-ring with oil before you reinsert it.
TJ