Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oil Drain Plug Failure

[CCiatteo]

Went to change the oil tonight and everything was going smoothly until I went to tighten the drain plug. I always tighten with torque wrench to 45ft/lbs which seems tight enough to not back out and not to tight to risk stripping out the pan.



Anyway, as I was tightening the plug (no where near the torque spec), it felt like it stripped out. I panicked and immediately started to gather a game plane for oil pan replacement. I fired up TDR and remembered reading about drain plugs failing, but thought it was related to stripping out the pan from over tightening. Then I found the cracked/broken flange problem. Headed back out and removed the plug to find it in pieces.



Pics attached. From the left: Flange/Seal/Body of Plug



You can see how the flange had slowly become deformed from (over) torquing I guess?



I called my local Dodge dealer (Dick Greenfield Dodge) with the super convenient 24 hr service/parts department and they had a new plug and seal on the shelf ready to go.



Oil drain plug - PN 4778578 108H5 List 13. 00 Net 9. 36

Oil Plug Seal - PN4882049 017A2 List 9. 35 Net 6. 72



I was a happy man and finished my oil change without incident.



Keep an eye on those drain plugs!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

That's and old problem..

Many of us has had this happen. Me about 3 times.



This is the answer:



PLUG-IT-RIGHT - HEAVY DUTY OIL PLUG - 22MM ('94-'01)-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage

 

[CCiatteo]

Many of us has had this happen. Me about 3 times.



This is the answer:



PLUG-IT-RIGHT - HEAVY DUTY OIL PLUG - 22MM ('94-'01)-Dodge Cummins Diesel Truck Accessories – Geno’s Garage

That is a much better beefier option. Oh well, that's for next time.

 

[rMetzger]

I really like my valve thing

 

[Regcabguy]

Fumoto drain plug.

Fumoto. Precision ball valve.

 

[GAmes]

For just a little more money you could have got a fumoto/finger touch valve. No more R&R, just flip the lever. I have done over 100 oil changes with mine, does't leak a drop.

 

[Grizzly]

For just a little more money you could have got a fumoto/finger touch valve. No more R&R, just flip the lever. I have done over 100 oil changes with mine, does't leak a drop.

Have one, totally agree.

 

[The patriot]

I'm totally happy with my Fumoto.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I had a Plug it right for years for some reason one on my mechanic's mechanics put a drain plug from a medium duty truck on it ( I looked and checked the size on my Freightliner and it was the same drain plug that they put on my Mule).

 

[dkoldno7]

drain plugs

Fumoto on all my trucks. Works great.

 

[rMetzger]

Mine's that flat-profile jobbie from Geno's Garage about 10 years ago.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Hi Bill, I'm sorry to hear your Plug It Right oil pan plug disappeared into never never land.

If you'll e-mail me your address, I'll be happy to send you a replacement plug at no charge. Diana

I had a Plug it right for years for some reason one on my mechanic's mechanics put a drain plug from a medium duty truck on it ( I looked and checked the size on my Freightliner and it was the same drain plug that they put on my Mule).

 

[NIsaacs]

For just a little more money you could have got a fumoto/finger touch valve. No more R&R, just flip the lever. I have done over 100 oil changes with mine, does't leak a drop.

Looks like a slick device, but I would be scared of breaking it off, like with running over a chunk of truck tire tread or something. Also do the threads stick up above the bottom of the oil pan or is it flush?



Nick

 

[GAmes]

Looks like a slick device, but I would be scared of breaking it off, like with running over a chunk of truck tire tread or something. Also do the threads stick up above the bottom of the oil pan or is it flush?



Nick

It only hangs about a half inch lower than the stock plug. It is pretty stout, so it would take more than a chunk of tire to break it. You do have to prep it prior to installation in order to drain all the oil out of the pan. When you pull the stock plug look at the threaded portion of the pan. You will see 4 holes that allow the oil to drain below the "nut" that is in the pan. I marked the locationof those holes, then torqued the fumoto. A couple of marks on the valve, then remove and cross drill. I only drilled two (one time in one direction) but they are slightly larger than the holes in the pan, I then installed the valve. When I pulled the pan to replace the gasket I checked the holes and they were in line.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

It only hangs about a half inch lower than the stock plug. It is pretty stout, so it would take more than a chunk of tire to break it. You do have to prep it prior to installation in order to drain all the oil out of the pan. When you pull the stock plug look at the threaded portion of the pan. You will see 4 holes that allow the oil to drain below the "nut" that is in the pan. I marked the locationof those holes, then torqued the fumoto. A couple of marks on the valve, then remove and cross drill. I only drilled two (one time in one direction) but they are slightly larger than the holes in the pan, I then installed the valve. When I pulled the pan to replace the gasket I checked the holes and they were in line.

That's the way to do it!

 

[SSage]

Yep, the little lever type oil drain valve. Had one for many many moons on both trucks. No issues.