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

[FATCAT]

Just FYI,

Just last week had the oil changed, next day had about 1 qt of oil under the truck when I got to work.



Check the plug (from where it was weaping from ) and could clearly see a crack go all the way around the plug lip.



Had to search around to 3 dealers for a new one (dealer item only I was told at NAPA). Had to scramble to get it; take a 1/2 day off from work; get back to my machnic and drain hot oil and put it back in the truck afterwards.



What a mess.



Word to the wise, if you have an older 2nd gen truck, pick up a spare oil drain plug at Geno's or where ever and keep it handy ... just in case.

 

[Elite1]

I had that happen once at about 70,000 miles... . now more recently(about 160,000 miles,on my 96') more probs with the oil drain plug... . I own a contracting company and have 6 trucks, I have a lube bay in my equipment yard and was servicing some of the trucks about 2 months ago. One of my employees was helping me change the oil on a few of the trucks, this young buck is only 20 yrs. old and is a 280 lb. former league champion heavy weight wrestler. I put my Dodge on the rack (it's a pit with tracks over) while I was changing the oil filter, he was below draining the oil. while I'm removing the filter, he tells me that he can't remove the drain plug. I tell him to wait a minute, I'll be right down... . I go down the steps (thinking oh ****)... . I know I'm in trouble when a big brute like that can't remove the oil plug!... . I get down there and he was turning it the wrong way! He messed up the threads, and it's been leaking ever since... . I've tried teflon tape, double gaskets, silicone, etc..... Finally I got the problem solved... . bought and EZ drain plug from Genos and epoxied the threads in..... now when I change the oil, I just use the quick connect tube for a quicker cleaner drain..... what a hassle and my driveway isn't looking too good any more... . but hey, there is a solution for every problem!

 

[illflem]

If you connect a vacuum cleaner up to the oil fill tube no oil will come out when you remove the plug nor will any go in the vacuum. Remember to block off the blowby tube.

 

[Elite1]

Illflem,a question about the blowby tube... . lately since fixing the oil leak, I've noticed a few small drips of oil on the driveway... and it is coming from the blowby tube... any idea why?, never noticed it before.

 

[illflem]

There is always some oil "fumes" coming out the blowby when the engine is running. Some blowbys oil paint the entire bottom of the truck others will drip a little. Most all gas and some diesel engines do it but return the fumes to the air intake so you never see a drip. I wouldn't worry about it if you aren't using much oil. If the drips on the driveway bother you you can rig up a plastic bottle to catch them like the 24 valves have. For some reason the 24 valve guys talk about removing the stock bottle, not sure if there is a problem with them or what. I personally extended my blowby about 8" so the oil hits the highway rather than the bottom of the truck.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Elite1



One of my employees was helping me change the oil on a few of the trucks, this young buck is only 20 yrs. old and is a 280 lb. former league champion heavy weight wrestler. I put my Dodge on the rack (it's a pit with tracks over) while I was changing the oil filter, he was below draining the oil. while I'm removing the filter, he tells me that he can't remove the drain plug. I tell him to wait a minute, I'll be right down... . I go down the steps (thinking oh ****)... . I know I'm in trouble when a big brute like that can't remove the oil plug!... . I get down there and he was turning it the wrong way! He messed up the threads, and it's been leaking ever since... .

Should of KICKED his BUTT right there :-laf :-laf



I did buy the Geno's Heavy duty and carry it as a spare. I like most of you also wear suspenders with a belt

 

[SMorneau]

The 96 style pan and plug do not seal with the thread the seal under the head of the plug on the surfaces of the gasket. It the plug is overtorqued one or two things happens. The plug fractures and separates leaving what looks like a washer and a set screw and/or the pan sealing surface is deformed into a dish shape. If the pan is deformed it will not seal very well even with a new plug. 30 ft-lb of torque is enough for the stock plug.