Firetrucking Mag-Hytec

[NavyDood]

Had to order a new drain plug for the Mag-Hytec DD pan. Last time I changed the fluid I torqued it to 30 in/lbs just like Mag-Hytec yells about. Some freaking gorilla musta went under there and tightened it up on me at some point in the past 35,000 miles because all I managed to do is make a nice round hole in the drain plug. I used a brand new 5mm allen wrench and it didn't even round the corners off. And yes, I turned it the right way.

BTW, I ordered it from Geno's. $22 shipped. Mag-Hytec's website says $25 for the drain plug and $19 for UPS ground shipping. Gotta love those over inflated shipping prices.
#@$%!

 

[Axion]

I feel yer pain. I too have had issues with the Mag Hytec drain plugs. Last diff service, the tech managed to bust the end of his allen key off in the plug. Had to wait for new ones just in case the offending plug got destroyed when we went to remove it. It came out nice but was useless with the busted bit melded in. #@$%!



Went to Sears and bought a torque wrench and a new 3/8" drive allen key. They stay under the seat in my truck and are only for my three Mag Hytec pans. I go under the truck once a month or so and back all the plugs out a half turn or so and then torque them back up, just to remind them that they are supposed to come out every once in a while!

 

[HBarlow]

There is something odd about Mag-Hytec pans or drain plugs that causes them to freeze in place. I had the same thing happen several years ago on the MH DD pan on my '06. And yes, I remember the price I had to pay for a replacment plug was outrageous then also.

 

[p-Bar]

Is the plug aluminum too?
maybe the gorilla from the cummins plant that puts on the oli filters got loose

 

[MMeier]

Thought "someone" said a while back that they were going to come out with a new improved plug. Yep, screwed up two of my plugs outta 3 so far. Just back off the bolts on the cover a bit and let it drain that way.

 

[NavyDood]

Mine had one of the original plugs, 5mm hex. Someone else can chime in with the exact size, but I do believe they are a larger hex now.

 

[Jim W]

My cover for my 08, was bought in 2009 and it also has the smaller hex size in the fill plug. I also have the same issue with the dip stick fill plug being stuck. How did you get them out? I have broken two, 3/8 drive 5mm allen keys sockets. I have yet to remove the fill plug, trying not to ruin it when I remove it. Need to order one from Geno's in case I do ruin the plug.

Jim W.

 

[Axion]

All this talk about 5mm allen keys got me to wondering.



When I got the new plugs, I took them in to Sears with me and found the allen key that fit the best. I just went out to the truck to double check, and the allen key I use is not metric, it is a 3/16" allen key. It fits the plug perfectly.

 

[MChrist]

5mm=. 1875"
3/16"=. 1968"

 

[NavyDood]

You have the decimals wrong. 5mm is in larger than 3/16"

Any mm number, take that number and multiply it by . 03937 and it give you the decimal equivalent. Example... 13mm x . 03937 = . 512

5mm fit a lot more snug than 3/16" on mine.

 

[MChrist]

Sorry, I flip-flopped the results. My bad.

3/16" = . 1875

5 mm = . 1968

That's what I get for using my memory and not writing it down on paper!

 

[NavyDood]

Haha. I do it plenty on my own.

 

[Rollin' Heavy]

I dont own a mag-tech but a friend of mine does. The plug is made up of a different material than the cover. The heating and cooling of both the materials makes for almost a welding type of effect. I would highly recommend putting anti-seize on the threads and seeing if that helps. I know with our cranes we see this all the time. I would also just snug up the plugs versus torquing to manufactures specs... . Just my $. 02.

 

[seafish]

I dont own a mag-tech but a friend of mine does. The plug is made up of a different material than the cover. The heating and cooling of both the materials makes for almost a welding type of effect. I would highly recommend putting anti-seize on the threads and seeing if that helps. I know with our cranes we see this all the time. I would also just snug up the plugs versus torquing to manufactures specs... . Just my $. 02.

I was thinking the same thing... like spark plugs in alumium blocks... a LITTLE anti-seize compound goes a long way !!
Sorry to mention spark plugs and aluminum blocks on this forum !!! :-laf

 

[NavyDood]

I dont own a mag-tech but a friend of mine does. The plug is made up of a different material than the cover. The heating and cooling of both the materials makes for almost a welding type of effect. I would highly recommend putting anti-seize on the threads and seeing if that helps. I know with our cranes we see this all the time. I would also just snug up the plugs versus torquing to manufactures specs... . Just my $. 02.

Mag-Hytec's torque spec is 30 in-lbs. I'm willing to wager that 99% of the people in this world would easily exceed that with what they think is snug.

 

[steved]

I have an ORU cover, same principle.



I never seized the fill and drain and, with 160k of use in a lot of climates, have never had a plug seize. FWIW, I also never seized the fill and drain plugs on the transfercase too. I have never had one stick.

 

[ColemanR]

Mine was fine tell I was broke down and had work done and it was over tightened by a monkey#@$%!took a small chisel smacked it on the edge came right out then welded a nut on it works great now. :-laf

 

[wlowe]

So how have you guys been getting the plug out if you round the hole for the allen wrench, (other than welding a nut on)?

 

[NavyDood]

I'm going to cut a slot with a dremel cut off wheel and then wack it with a chisel.

 

[NavyDood]

Got the new plug. Still the same pieco**** 5mm.