Drain Plug Troubles

[MLimpert]

Has anyone else experienced a problem with the drain plug on their 03+ truck? I got my oil changed at the dealer today (I usually do on my Ram to keep my relationship good with the svc dept) and the integrated rubber washer on my plug stuck to the pan and tore.



I was a bit worried when the dealer didn't have one in stock along with all other dealers within 100 miles. Luckilly, the local Cummins dealer had one is stock - only $6. 13. I picked up two just to make sure this will never happen again.



Just wanted to pass this along - A spare drain plug might be a good item to keep with your truck, especially at such a low cost.

 

[DZink24]

The only concern I have had with my drain plug is the fact that the shoulders are very thin; always be careful not to torque it down too much as to not crack it.



Am I reading this right?- The dealer tore it (rubber washer) and you had to purchase a new one??? Hmmm...

 

[MLimpert]

I would complain, but I don't think they did anything wrong. I think it was just a freak occurance, as I saw the tech use his torque wrench on my last oil change while I was shooting the crap with him. Perhaps a little oil on the seal wouldn't hurt anything in the future though??



Honestly, I think it would probably be covered under warranty if I wanted to press it, but I would have to wait a day for it to come in and waste 3 gallons of new oil to replace the leaker. I cruised into town to get it while the techs were on lunch break in an 06 that I performed several performance tests on. All in all not too bad of a deal, but at least for me its a potential weak spot to be aware of.

 

[DrDiesel]

Sound`s like someone had a breaker bar when they installed it on the last service.

 

[Edgemann55]

Best fix is to get the replacement drain plug fron Geno's. Uses a regular socket and the shoulder will not break.

 

[staarma]

You could just get a Fumoto valve for the drain and be done with it forever. I have one and it's a great piece. I got it as Geno's.



http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FTP-F104N-A

 

[nickleinonen]

but I would have to wait a day for it to come in and waste 3 gallons of new oil to replace the leaker.

take off oil fill on valve cover, cap off crankcase breather with a rubber plug, get shop vac out and apply suction to oil fill on valve cover. . go under and remove/replace plug. . very little oil will be lost. .

 

[bagd99dak]

i got the geno's drain valve also. i can change my oil in 10 minutes without getting any oil on me. lol. it is work it.

 

[jelag]

Matt. . I've got 3 trucks... 04, 04. 5, 05 and 2 Fords... We have close to 1 million miles on the 5 trucks... We've never stripped a plug nor had a problem other than normal wear on the gasket, o-ring, etc... we either do the changes here or use one lube center... on at least 3 of the trucks the plugs have been out 30 to 40 times with no problems...



Hope this helps... .

 

[MLimpert]

Wow... Sounds like I got kind of an oddball failure.



I like the shop vac trick - I'll keep that in mind if I ever have this situation again.



Thanks again guys