oil drain plug torque
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
oil drain plug torque
Does anybody know what to torque the oil drain plug to? I have had a very slow leak there since i bought the truck a year ago. Changed the oil the last time and used the same copper washer and it leaked pretty bad. Got a tip on this forum how to hook up a shop-vac to the filler tube and pull the plug without losing any oil so I replaced the washer with a brand new one. Same thing. About 1 drip every hour or two. I can't visually see anything wrong with the seat or the plug.
I hear they are selling plastic washers now. Would that be a better way to go in case there is some small imperfection on the seat or plug I just can't see. Any ideas would help. Thanks. Gary
I hear they are selling plastic washers now. Would that be a better way to go in case there is some small imperfection on the seat or plug I just can't see. Any ideas would help. Thanks. Gary
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
I've always used the method Kris described. How tight do you have the bolt now?I personally don't trust the plastic washers, but if you already have the drain plug tightened up pretty good it may be time for plan B.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
I always use Kris' method too, but it isn't working this time. I haven't put a torque wrench on it yet, but it's not hard to put a lot more torque on with a long wrench as opposed to using a 1/2" ratchet. I assumed the owner's manual would have a torque spec but I didn't find it.
I don't like using a drip pan and of course I can't park in a friend's driveway anymore.
(Make that Not hard to put a lot more torque)
I don't like using a drip pan and of course I can't park in a friend's driveway anymore.
(Make that Not hard to put a lot more torque)
Last edited by GEugeneS; Apr 8, 2008 at 09:20 PM. Reason: spelling
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
I just put the Fumoto on 2 weeks ago. I also had a small amount of oil on the plug despite the copper washer. I haven't checked it since the Fumoto install but it doesn't have a washer. If I get a chance before leaving for Smokin tomorrow I will look at it and see what I have got.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 807
Likes: 0
From: Prince George, BC
your problem of it leaking is because you didnt use a new copper washer when you changed the oil, i know this from expeirence because it happend to me, and it didnt matter if i crawled under and gave the plug a 1/4 more turn it would still leak. you must always use a new washer evey time. or like others say, get a fumoto
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,241
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, East TN
Amen to that, I got mine and I just used Kris' method. I have not noticed any oil dripping from my plug and it has been on 4 months.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria, IL
go to your auto parts store and buy a washer. i got one with the rubber on the insdie, works great for about 10K so far.
If you put a vaccuum over your oil fill in your valve cover, you wont lose much oil when you change the washer
If you put a vaccuum over your oil fill in your valve cover, you wont lose much oil when you change the washer
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
Thats right I forgot. I am going to go look underneath right now. I will be back.