2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Do You use Torque Wrench to tighten oil plug or not

[Wiredawg]

Just curious how many Rammers out there use a torque wrench to tighten oil plug to factory specs and how many tighten th oil plug by feel?



Please feel free to post comments. I was trying to post a poll in 2nd gen but it wouldn't let me post same one here.



BTW, I tighten by feel on the 1st gen; 2nd and 3rd gen trucks have the Genos turn valve replacing the drain plug. I'm guessing 18 to 25 ft lbs tq if I measured it.



Wiredawg

 

[WDixon27]

the first time i changed my oil i was wondering what i would encounter after reading about the problems, it was oozing slightly and the rubber coated seal was torn up so i looked through my stash of copper/aluminum seals and found i had several aluminum ones that fit, hasn't leaked a drop in 1500 miles and it looked like it puts the stress in closer to the shank of the plug so it should be less likely to snap the head off

 

[SRadke]

I've always tightened by feel but not too tight. I've seen one that was overtorqued and the shoulder broke off.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

I've seen one that was overtorqued and the shoulder broke off.



Been there done that..... good thing I had a tig to put it together again!



I still T/Q mine.



Jim

 

[AMink]

I would guess that I've changed the oil in my truck 35 or 36 times and never knew there was an issue with breaking the plug. I've never torqued it, just snugged it up. Never had any problems with leaks or seeps. It's about time for a new one as the square hole isn't so square anymore. Now that I've learned that Fleetguard is better than Fram :-laf , I've moved my oil changes from 3000 to 5000 miles. Just curious, what is the torque for the plug?

 

[CArnold]

I think the torque for 2nd gens is 44 ft lbs, I torque em to 40ft lbs. On the late 2nd gens to current models the torque is 36 ft lbs. I usually torque those to 34. I have seen the aftermarket plugs distort the oil pan and cause leaks.

 

[MLee]

I usually torque by feel on the drain plug. Read where the new setting was 40# tried it @ this setting and found it was more than what I have been doing it. When I remove mine its always tighter than 40#, feels like I am going to break my wrench.

Marv.

 

[RustyJC]

I use a short-handled 3/8" drive ratchet and just snug it up. I've never had a leak, never had the plug come loose and never cracked the shoulder off the plug.



Rusty

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I welded a big nut on my plug... I tighten the heck out of it by hand... no worries about it cracking w/ the extra metal on it

 

[wlowe]

Didn't have a torque wrench until recently so I tightened by feel. Never had any problems. Now I have a Fumoto drain valve.

 

[BigPapa]

Mine gets two grunts every time. :-laf No problems.



Scott

 

[J Shocik]

I go by the feel. I also replaced the stock POS with a HD one from Geno's. Nothing gets distorted.

 

[MYeary]

When I first changed my oil the plug had been put in so tight I had to use a breaker bar to get it loose, didn't help that the 3/8 tap had been rounded off too got a new plug and use 40 ft. lbs.

 

[Dl5treez]

By feel... . the day I gotta put a torque wrench to an oil plug is the day I quit workin' on my own stuff. :-laf

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I installed the fumoto valve from Genos after reading about the problems with the 2G drain plug and pan threads. . Besides, I was ordering some other stuff and this looked like a cheap bomb.

 

[BigEasy]

I just changed the oil for the first time since I bought my truck yesterday... had to use a breaker bar to get the plug out! Is there supposed to be an o-ring on the plug? The space between the threads and the shoulder looks like it's for a seal, but there wasn't one in the bucket, and it's not dripping...

 

[dtygart]

I always torqued mine when I changed the oil... now I am retired and rich enough to have it done at the truck stop (they use Rotella-T) and they make you come out of the waiting room and look under while the tech torques the plug until the wrench clicks, then you initial the work order that you witnessed them torquing!

david

 

[tp0d]

ditto here on the fumoto ball valve. . that thing rox. I can change my oil so much cleaner now. best bomb ive done. i tightened by feel previously...





-j