Oil drain plug

[AJRK]

I change the oil on my 2000 SOHC V6 myself, and I was wondering if the drain plug needs to be replaced after time. I noticed there is no washer attached or anything.

thanks

 

[slpdave]

I have never replaced any drain plug on any vehicle I have owned. they mate to the pan with a metal to metal seal. Keep in mind that oil or other fluids in engines are thicker than water. think about the drain plug on the radiator. it has a watery fluid and a different style drain plug.

so in short no you shouldn't have to replace the plug after time.

David

 

[rizzjc]

... unless it leaks. I have never replaced the plug on my Explorer, but I have on other vehicles, but just because they got worn out or damaged.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

a lot of express lubes and jiffy lubes over tighten the plug and distort it and/or damage the threads. On the ford plugs theres a little rubber gasket that is attachted to the plug (its hard to see but if u turn it over u will see it). If it leaks or is hard goin in - replace it. Drain plugs are made of a softer metal than the pan, so you should never worry about damaging the pan with normal tightning.

-Drew

 

[slpdave]

I guess maybe I have been lucky.

David

 

[aldive]

You might want to replace it with a Fumoto oil drain.

http://www.fumotovalve.com/

Makes chainging oil a snap.

 

[X6StringerX]

The drain plug on my first Explorer was rounded off when I got it. It was a nice surprise... luckily, I had a pipe wrench. I bought a repacement plug at Napa or Advance or one of those places and it had a plastic washer with it. I used it, but that was the first time I had ever seen one. Apparantly, my grandpa said that you're supposed to get a new plastic washer at every oil change. Next change, I tossed it and went back to changing oil like I had on previous vehicles. It didn't make any difference... no oil leaks.

 

[config]

You might want to replace it with a Fumoto oil drain.

http://www.fumotovalve.com/

Makes chainging oil a snap.

I agree with Al. I also have a fumoto valve and it makes oil change a lot cleaner. No more digging in the oil pan to retrieve the drain plug ;-)

 

[X6StringerX]

I have a traditional plug and I don't dig in the pan for it. Don't let it go when you take it out, lol.


I like the idea of the Fumoto, but I don't think it would be wise in my application. The X is going to be used for some offroading and I fear the valve could accidentally be opened via a stick or something. I'm adding that site to my favorites though. I'd put one of those on a car/non-offroader in a heartbeat.

 

[config]

I had the same concerns initially but most of the folks who use it, including me place a small tie-wrap to prevent that from happening. We just simply cut the tie-wrap off when changing the oil and replace it with a new tie-wrap.

 

[gijoecam]

As for the plug itself, there is an o-ring that seals it as was already mentioned. The o-ring is available separately from the dealer for only a couple of bucks. It's not necessary to replace it every time, just as needed. FWIW, my oil pan rusted out before the o-ring needed to be changed (right around 95,000 miles).

-Joe

 

[JohnnyO]

I have used Superplugs in the past. www.superplug.com I will say that delivery can be, uh, slow, and they seem to have a problem shipping the right size Ford plugs the first time (GM's, no prob). Pricey suckers but the magnet is powerful enough that it will suck your refridgerator across the kitchen and pin you against the wall. Think Wile E. Coyote with the magnet and iron bird seed.

 

[timleedude]

Can't we just Glue/ColdWeld a strong magnet on our drain plugs to get something like the SuperPlug?

-Tim

 

[briwayjones]

Can't we just Glue/ColdWeld a strong magnet on our drain plugs to get something like the SuperPlug?

-Tim

Don't see why not.

 

[JohnnyO]

I wouldn't trust it to stay on but try it if you want. You can get magnetic plugs at most any parts store, but believe me they ain't gonna be as strong as a Superplug. Again, pay your money and take your chances. Last time I ordered one for a friend's Ranger, they sent the wrong size (again), I sent it back, gave him mine, never did get the right one back, no response to emails or phone calls if the phone wasn't disconnected anyway, and I finally said the hell with it. If you manage to get one it's a good product though.

 

[timleedude]

That's kinda bad to tell someone you recommend the superplug, but you probably won't receive the proper one.. and if you try to send it back or complain, they won't respond back.. Aiya.. I guess I will stay away from SuperPlug. I don't like throwing away money.

-Tim

 

[ericg75]

I want to use a Fumoto valve for my wife's ex (I have one on my Ram and love it). Anyone know which one I need to get from the fumoto website?

Eric

 

[DeRocha]

I have a traditional plug and I don't dig in the pan for it. Don't let it go when you take it out, lol.


I like the idea of the Fumoto, but I don't think it would be wise in my application. The X is going to be used for some offroading and I fear the valve could accidentally be opened via a stick or something. I'm adding that site to my favorites though. I'd put one of those on a car/non-offroader in a heartbeat.

I had the same concerns initially but most of the folks who use it, including me place a small tie-wrap to prevent that from happening. We just simply cut the tie-wrap off when changing the oil and replace it with a new tie-wrap.

I have had a Fumoto drain plug for 13yrs with ZERO problems. In order to open the valve you need to unlock it by depressing the handle while simultaneously turning the handle (IMO extremely unlikely to occur). I wheel all the time and there is No way a stick could accidentally open the valve.. I would be 100X more worried that a stick could puncture the oil pan than the valve being accidentally opened...