Re: Sump plugs

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2011/9/29 15:19:23

When I worked in a garage we ran into this all the time. A drain plug would have a slow drip because of a worn washer. The so called mechanic would "tighten it a little more, I guess" and the drip would stop or at least slow down while the customer drove off the lot.

Too bad for the next guy who has to remove the plug.

Of course the correct procedure is to inspect the washer at every oil change, and replace as necessary. The washer costs pennies and they should be replaced every 4th or 5th oil change but no one ever does it.

Incidentally this is why oil pans get stripped. It happens because chronic over tightening of the drain plug wears out the threads and over stresses them until they fail.