Thread: Drain plug leak

Tweet

Any ideas on how to stop oil pan plug from leaking. I have a copper crush washer on the plug tightened real tight and it still seeps.
Thanks

I tried several types of washers and the "only" one that worked "for me" was the black fiber one, however, mine was damaged so I had to fix it by leveling it with a new washer (contact surface) held in place by JB Weld - - been almost a year and so far so good- - - good luck, this can be a real PITA

meller

Maybe some Teflon tape on the plug threads?

The problem with tape on the threads is the threads don't seal it it flat surfaces are where the seal is. They sell plastic or hard rubber seal (gaskets) for that purpose

My limited experience found that teflon tape on the threads didn't solve my problem either. I tried copper and even a thicker washer but eventually ended up repairing the contact surface and using the standard black fiber one. You might also check the "sealing" surface on your drain plug and possibly replace it with one that has a wider contact surface or ?maybe? put a wide flat washer between the bolt and the sealing washer.

My pan is a new aluminum one and of course the plug is new too. I tried plastic washer, metal washer with silicon, and the copper washer. I am going to try that black fiber that MelloYello mentioned and maybe a new plug too. Very frustrating as my old stock oil pan did the same thing.

Hmmmm, strange that the old one did it also. I'm wondering if ?maybe? you could be torquing the drain plug down too much. When you try the black fiber, just tighten it good and snug but not enough to cause the washer to start twisting. (I use a short/stubby box end wrench) Just remember that the washer is "only" the "seal" between, what is supposed to be, two flat, smooth and parallel surfaces.

meller

Originally Posted by TomJ

My pan is a new aluminum one and of course the plug is new too. I tried plastic washer, metal washer with silicon, and the copper washer. I am going to try that black fiber that MelloYello mentioned and maybe a new plug too. Very frustrating as my old stock oil pan did the same thing.

Tom,
It's very easy to over tighten an oil drain plug. Instructions I've seen say to snug it, then put 1/4 turn and stop. The GM spec for a pan drain plug is 18 ft-lbs, which is not much. You may be distorting the washer too much, or you could have pulled the threads up crowning the sealing surface on the pan if you got really heavy with the wrench.

Maybe I am tightening it to tight. I will torque it the next time I change it.

NWMTMB.jpgtry this gasket from Napa. # 704-1093

yes statoseal spelled wrong but work very good

if you have a lathe you may want to try cuting a oring goove in the drain bolt but not at the end about 1/8 from the head of bolt the o ring would need to be just a hair up past the pan bolt thread then the o ring will dry up the threads abit like a AN fitting but evey time you change the oil you may have to use a new o ring and you would not need to stand on the drain plug to get it to seal a aluminum pans can be a bad deal as the pan get hot threads open up the steel plug will not move with the heat then you have a leak i am a proud owner of a oil pan on a 632 much like this