Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) drain plug question

[theferalkid]

i have the kind of drain plug that comes off with a 3/8" square drive (socket adapter), and it has a metal gasket. The thing is it had some thin and deteriorating rubbery gasket material, i think it was that RTV gasket stuff. Question is , do i need it, will blue threadlocker work, and if not, would a rubber washer work?.

 

[VicR]

On mine, its a metal washer coated with that black rubber stuff. You can get a new one at Cummins - I think it was about $3. 50.



It is directional - I believe black rubber goes up, bare metal goes to the plug.



-Vic

 

[mechanic]

i have the kind of drain plug that comes off with a 3/8" square drive (socket adapter), and it has a metal gasket. The thing is it had some thin and deteriorating rubbery gasket material, i think it was that RTV gasket stuff. Question is , do i need it, will blue threadlocker work, and if not, would a rubber washer work?.

If you ever hope to change the oil again, don't use thread locker. Even the #242 blue on a thread that large in diameter would be a real kick to remove if it set up correctly. Would most likely need a tourch to break it loose.

 

[J Shocik]

One of the problems with the drain plug you have now is it will eventually start to crack or break if tightened too much, causing more leaking problems, or worse. One cure is a heavy duty drain plug offered in Geno's Garage Catalog ( pg. 11; pt. # HDOP-Kit-22MM; $19. 50).



I'm not trying to "plug" Geno's :-laf , but I had this problem before. I switched to the HD plug, and haven't had to change the plug gasket since.

 

[Forrest]

J Shocik is right ... that baby is gonna fail eventually. When mine cracked, I replaced it with Genos finger touch. Oil draining can't get much easier.



It's hard to see on the pics, but the top of the drain plug went "concave". You might be able to see the crack on the underside. Anyway, wouldn't seal.

 

[MWhisenant]

I generally do pretty well working on cars and trucks, but I always seem to come on these forums with something that sounds so dumb. I appreciate y'all not running my amateur-sounding self out of here.



I had my oil changed on the road in my 96 dually, and dadgum if I can't get the oil plug out. They must've put 100lbs of torque on it. It's the stock item, and I promise to replace it with a Geno's product..... ;>)



I put my Craftsmen 3/8 drive ratchet on it, and no-go... ..... added a little cheater bar, and of course stripped out the ratchet.



All my heavy tools are 1/2 drive, of course. So I put my 1/2 to 3/8 adaptor on the air impact wrench and had a go. I knew that I wouldnt put too much mustard on it, as the adaptor was cheap. Well, it twisted off instantly. duh.



So, is there any downside to getting good quality adaptor and letting my air wrench pound away? Or is there a reason why that would be really stupid?



Thanks as always,



Mark Whisenant



Atlanta

 

[J Shocik]

Mark, IMO I'd try a 3/8 breaker bar/cheater bar at the most. But, before trying this, make sure you have a replacement plug, you're not going to want to re-use the old one. I think an air wrench might cause extra damage to the threads in the pan.

 

[mcdaniel1]

Try a little heat and one of those handheld impact wrench.

 

[6btsmoker]

on a vermont truck,rusted oil pan,i had to use a 3 / 8 impact wrench with a sq socket that fit the drain plug. worked well,just be over a drain pan. when the plug broke loose the air gun backed it out in a hurry.

 

[Howard Durand]

There is no reason for anyone to tighten a drain plug to the point it takes a cheater bar and hammer to remove it.

I use a 3/8 breaker bar with an 8" handle to tighten the plug. A fairly hard pull gets it tight enough that when I take it out for the next oil change it takes a longer 1/2 inch breaker bar with an adapter to loosen it.

I believe the recommended torque is around 40 ft. lb. and intended for a dry fitting.

The oil on the fitting gives you a pretty good advantage over friction when tightening and if you tighten it to that specification, I think it would be way over 40#.



Over 100,000 miles and numerous oil changes and I am still using the original plug.