shellback91 1,634 Posted December 11, 2021 After my recent oil change I'm noticing seepage around my oil drain plug. 🤬 I'm wondering if anyone has run into this before and would have any thoughts. The plug isn't OEM so I'm not sure replacing it with one is an option or if I should try one from an auto parts store. If so I'll drain the oil, change the plug and pour the oil back in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 3,667 Posted December 11, 2021 just give another 1/8th of a turn tighter maybe? does your plug have an integrated rubber or fiber washer? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellback91 1,634 Posted December 11, 2021 It's on there good, I can't get any tighter. But I'll try again. I want to avoid draining the oil and then putting it back if possible. I don't believe it has either type of integrated washer. That may be the issue. However, it hasn't been a problem before which is weird. Thought I'd throw this out here as a sounding board to help think it through. 🤔 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4x4tographer 2,540 Posted December 11, 2021 Mine has a rubber washer on it. Maybe you can pick up a new one with the rubber seal. Pull off the old plug then quickly stop the flow of oil with your finger. Then get the new one on. Check your levels then top off with fresh oil. I’m not the biggest fan of draining then putting the used oil back in (if I’m reading that correctly). You could also look into replacing it with a Fumoto quick drain plug. I plan on going this path my next oil change. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellback91 1,634 Posted December 11, 2021 30 minutes ago, 4x4tographer said: Mine has a rubber washer on it. Maybe you can pick up a new one with the rubber seal. Pull off the old plug then quickly stop the flow of oil with your finger. Then get the new one on. Check your levels then top off with fresh oil. I’m not the biggest fan of draining then putting the used oil back in (if I’m reading that correctly). You could also look into replacing it with a Fumoto quick drain plug. I plan on going this path my next oil change. I like the idea of the Fumoto, however, I'm already paranoid enough. Having that in the back of my mind would make the nagging voices louder. 😆 I'm gonna pick up a new plug I found at Auto Zone and see how it goes. It has the gasket and the right thread type. Thanks for helping me think this through @theksmith and @4x4tographer, it's helpful for me to walk through it and check my logic sometimes. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgaz 517 Posted December 11, 2021 Did you change the oil, or was it a quick lube shop? Its not unheard of for the plastic washer or rubber gasket to stick to the pan and to stay there when the plug is removed, especially if the plug as been overtightened. Sometimes it then falls into the oil drain container and the unskilled “tech” replaces the plug with no sealing part at all. For sure I’ve never seen OEM drain plug with no sealing washer at all. X2 to remove the old plug, stop the flow with your finger and install the new plug. Top off with fresh. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellback91 1,634 Posted December 12, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, jgaz said: Did you change the oil, or was it a quick lube shop? Its not unheard of for the plastic washer or rubber gasket to stick to the pan and to stay there when the plug is removed, especially if the plug as been overtightened. Sometimes it then falls into the oil drain container and the unskilled “tech” replaces the plug with no sealing part at all. For sure I’ve never seen OEM drain plug with no sealing washer at all. X2 to remove the old plug, stop the flow with your finger and install the new plug. Top off with fresh. I changed the oil myself so I was the unskilled tech that created this problem. 😞 I may have over tightened it last time or I may have lost the washer when I pulled it last weekend or both. I replaced it a little while, cleaned up really good around the plug, drove it around a little and so far so good. I'll probably check again after a while but I should be good to go and I learned a lesson for sure. The old one did not have a washer, I can pick some up for it or just get an OEM plug with a hard plastic washer. I'll decide later on that. Thanks again gents. Edited December 12, 2021 by shellback91 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgaz 517 Posted December 12, 2021 I’ll bet you were waaaay more careful and observant than the average lube tech. Glad that it seems like you have a handle on the problem 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
