OIL DRAIN PLUG
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
OIL DRAIN PLUG
We have a 2020 F150 Platinum and have always had it dealer serviced but now we have a COSTCO membership and it is more convenient for oil changes. I was surprised to hear COSTCO tell me they would only do an oil change if we bring them a new drain plug each time. They are apparently single use throw away plugs?
Is this really necessary and is there a good source of aftermarket supply for them or should we stick with OEM drain plugs? They have them on AMAZON. Any experience with these, good or bad and what is a good price to pay for the plug?
Is this really necessary and is there a good source of aftermarket supply for them or should we stick with OEM drain plugs? They have them on AMAZON. Any experience with these, good or bad and what is a good price to pay for the plug?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 42
From: The OC
Buy 9 quarts, a filter, do it yourself, and torque correctly.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 509
From: Edmond, OK
Definitely do the oil changes yourself. I have 2 or 3 free ones left from the dealer. After that I'm doing it myself.
Momma has a 2019
Fiesta. The dealer we bought it from screwed up oil changes twice by not torquing the oil pan drain bolt or leaving the fill cap off. She doesn't want me to do it so whatever... happy wife happy life. 
Momma has a 2019
Fiesta. The dealer we bought it from screwed up oil changes twice by not torquing the oil pan drain bolt or leaving the fill cap off. She doesn't want me to do it so whatever... happy wife happy life.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 133
From: Burleson, Tx
Thankfully we're at 200k on it now and it hasn't had any problems and doesn't use oil.
Trending Topics
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 42
From: The OC
My daughter took her Scion to a Toyota dealership for a $20 oil change. The "mechanic" must have spun the drain bolt on with an air ratchet because he stripped it. Didn't tell her, and she called me later about a pool of oil on the floor. Talked to the service manager, he tried to tell me the bolt should have been replaced because they wear out. I said I work in a machine shop and know way more than he does about metals and metallurgy, and the metal bolt can be removed and reinstalled several times with no issues. He had to replace the pan at his cost, glad he had one in stock.
Also took my '90 F150 to Goodyear in HB years ago for the "oil change special". It was a real special! They drained the oil, but didn't put any back into the engine. Got a block away and it got very loud under the hood. Checked the oil, stick was dry, idled through a parking lot back to Goodyear and said thanks for the "special". Made him sign the receipt stating I drove for a half mile without oil they forgot to put in.
Long story short, I will always do my own oil changes!
Also took my '90 F150 to Goodyear in HB years ago for the "oil change special". It was a real special! They drained the oil, but didn't put any back into the engine. Got a block away and it got very loud under the hood. Checked the oil, stick was dry, idled through a parking lot back to Goodyear and said thanks for the "special". Made him sign the receipt stating I drove for a half mile without oil they forgot to put in.
Long story short, I will always do my own oil changes!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,872
Likes: 357
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Stuff like that must happen all the time. Back in my youth, I had a Honda 350 "Street Scrambler"; kind of a hybrid on-road/off road" bike. I had some work done on it at the local Honda dealer, and as part of the service they threw in an oil change.
A bud dropped me off to pick it up, and I hopped on to high-tail it over to the place where I had a summer job. Got about 1/2 way there and the engine seized, hard. The back wheel locked up and I skidded to a stop. Come to find out they had failed to put any oil in it. I guess it was my fault for not checking, but in my defense, I was young. They ended up buying the bike from me, so good on them for owning the error.
A bud dropped me off to pick it up, and I hopped on to high-tail it over to the place where I had a summer job. Got about 1/2 way there and the engine seized, hard. The back wheel locked up and I skidded to a stop. Come to find out they had failed to put any oil in it. I guess it was my fault for not checking, but in my defense, I was young. They ended up buying the bike from me, so good on them for owning the error.
4wd Low
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Az
It's not the plug so much as its the washer on the plug. These used to be single use copper plugs way back when but have become made of of many materials such as plastic, etc. Also there is a torque spec. that is supposed to be used. Very few do that combined with shade tree mechanics that torque to whatever they think is right,
That is why they drip, leak? Single use copper was replace by the other washer plugs with Speedy oil change stations who use young inexperience personal who
don't know spit about a vehicle and there you it ! That's why I change my own oil, add my own oil, air my own tires, etc. If something happens its my own fault? Bottom line is you can but those copper washers on-line at Amazon, or you can have an extra oil drain plug that you carry in your glove box?
That is why they drip, leak? Single use copper was replace by the other washer plugs with Speedy oil change stations who use young inexperience personal who
don't know spit about a vehicle and there you it ! That's why I change my own oil, add my own oil, air my own tires, etc. If something happens its my own fault? Bottom line is you can but those copper washers on-line at Amazon, or you can have an extra oil drain plug that you carry in your glove box?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,950
Likes: 510
From: Foothills, CA
We have a 2020 F150 Platinum and have always had it dealer serviced but now we have a COSTCO membership and it is more convenient for oil changes. I was surprised to hear COSTCO tell me they would only do an oil change if we bring them a new drain plug each time. They are apparently single use throw away plugs?
Is this really necessary and is there a good source of aftermarket supply for them or should we stick with OEM drain plugs? They have them on AMAZON. Any experience with these, good or bad and what is a good price to pay for the plug?
Is this really necessary and is there a good source of aftermarket supply for them or should we stick with OEM drain plugs? They have them on AMAZON. Any experience with these, good or bad and what is a good price to pay for the plug?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 42
From: The OC
If it's the 2.7 or 5.0 with a plastic pan, you have the plastic drain plug. They're telling you to have one because the plastic tabs are known to snap and the o-ring may not seal correctly. They don't want to be responsible for an oil leak. I stand corrected, get a new plug.
Or change your own oil
Or change your own oil
