Oil Pan Drain Plug Torque

[Fireman Dave]

Be careful when tightening that oil pan drain plug! I did my third oil change last night. On my first change I tightened the drain plug by feel - no problem. On the second change, I decided to be a good boy and use the torque wrench. I torqued it to the spec - 44 ft/lbs. I almost couldn't break it loose last night. I was afraid I was going screw up the bottom of the pan before I broke that sucker loose. I think 44 is too much for it, so I torqued it to 40 when I reinstalled it.

I also did my first fuel filter change. I got nervous when it wouldn't fire at first, but I just had to crank it longer. The next one will only take about 10 minutes. #ad


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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

[jmeehan]

Thanks for the word of warning. I have my second oil change coming up, so I'll see how I did on the plug torque. I'm a little worried about the fuel filter, I'm usually the guy that, if anything can go wrong it will go wrong, applies to. #ad


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ex Ford tech, now driving '01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54, Patriot Blue

 

[Michael Hughes]

After changing the fuel filter, turn the key on and bump the starter, let the lift pump run and then bump the starter again. The lift pump runs when you turn the key on, but if you bump the starter it will run longer. Hope this helps.

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1999 2500 ST LB 4X4 Metallic Red, 5-speed, 3. 54 gears, LSD, camper and tow package

 

[Fireman Dave]

Hey Mike! Good to hear from you. I'm at 10k now.

I did bump the starter several times. What threw me a little is I wasn't cranking it long enough when I tried to start it. It probably lit off after about 10-15 seconds of cranking. When you're used to it firing after 1 second, that 10-15 seconds seems like a lifetime!

John, thanks for the input. I had thought that the 60 had been corrected to 44. I agree that 35 would probably be even better than 40. I'm seriously thinking about a different plug.

 

[Pete Peterson]

Your right on the torque Dave. Page 9-296 says 44 ft. lbs. The earlier models used to be at 60 be DC found out that was a bit much cause the collar on the plug was fracturing. I just went ahead and ordered one of those heavy duty plugs from Geno's, it comes with gasket and a magnet that fits over the 9/16 head on the plug. Pete

 

[illflem]

John,I'm not sure we can blame Cummins on the drain plug,I think Dodge may have had something to do with it. I remember reading somewhere that the 5. 9 normally comes with a larger oil pan and capacity,Dodge had them cut it down to fit in our trucks. I have to wonder if Dodge supplied the pan and plug,sounds more like their kind of cost cutting than Cummins'.

I've never used a torque wrench on mine,maybe that's why I've never had a problem,just go by feel with a 8"long ratchet.

 

[merryman]

I did an oil change on my '01 yesterday, and in a fit of responsibility, I got out the new torque wrench set it at 44 pounds and started tightening------I chickened out before it clicked. Thats way tighter than I have ever tightened an oil plug, and I have been changing my own oil since I bought that chevy coupe in 1950.
Think I too will stick with the short ratchet and forget the torque wrench.

Vaughn

 

[nascar]

Hey Dave, thanks for the info. Weather permitting, I'll be changing my oil and fuel filter next week. I'm a little over 8k miles now total, and 5k from my last change.


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2001 QC, 2500, 4X4, H. O. CUMMINS, 6SPD, SPORT, LB, SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, CAMPER PKG, TRAILER TOW, CAMEL/TAN, FLAME RED!
Westin Step Bars #26-1240, Pendaliner SR, Mopar Molded Mudflaps, Driver/Passenger Door Glass Tinted 20%

 

[hammong]

Because of the bad weather lately and the fact that my local 5-star dealer had a "special" on oil change last time around, I let them do the previous oil change.

I had to get out the 1/2" breaker bar and 3/8-1/2 drive converter to get the plug out! I didn't check the torque to see just how tight it was, but I'd say it was definitely overkill.

I always tighten my plug "about as tight as I can get it" with a 8" long 3/8" ratchet, and check it for leaks the day after my change. No leaks yet, and it comes out with no fuss!

Greg


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Y2K Dodge Cummins QC 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 Long Bed, 4. 10/Auto, Forest Green/Driftwood, 265x75R16 Michelin LTX, 6 speaker CD, Camper/Tow/Plow Packages, Westin Black Nerfs, Mopar bedliner, Ultra bright diamondplate toolbox, K&N Filtercharger.

http://www.rints.com/hammond for photos!

Not Bombed yet!

 

[John]

Fireman Dave, the drain plug torque spec. has been discussed at least a dozen times on this BB as well as in several past issues of the TDR. All drain plugs that had specs. of 44 lbs. ft. to 60 lbs. ft. have been changed to 40 lbs. ft. IMO, if you are going to use a torque wrench on the OE drain plug, torque it to NO MORE than 35 lbs. ft. The problem lies in the low quality of the drain plug material in relation to the design (i. e. , the flanged head is too thin for the alloy of steel being used in the construction of the drain plug thus, flange to shank separation can result... AND HAS). This happened to me during the very first oil change on my '98. 5 24v... using a Snap-On torque wrench which is routinely recalibrated by Snap-On. BTW, the flange started to separate from the shank at about 37 lbs. ft. I ordered one of the Femco/EZ Drain, drain plugs (and two drain hoses) from Geno's Garage as soon as they became available. In fact, I had to wait for one as they sold their entire stock almost immediately as they were inundated with orders for it. Guess why?... the OE drain plug is a POS! Once I installed my trick new drain plug it was problem solved!

I would recommend replacing the OE drain plug with ANY of the drain plugs from Geno's Garage as ANY ONE OF THEM IS VASTLY SUPERIOR TO THE POS DRAIN PLUG CUMMINS SUPPLIES. Shame on you Cummins, I would expect that kind of crap on a PSD... NOT on a Cummins!

..... don't get me goin' on the lift pump! #ad


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John Treibel
'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps and accs. , Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, SPA gauges (3), Dynamat, '00 Sport grille and headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, DD3s and DD TTPM, Aeroquip AQP braided s/s fuel hoses, Banks High-Ram intake manifold and 14 cm2 turbine housing w/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , DTT 93% TC, DTT custom tuned VB, BD modified trans. front pump (enhanced by DTT), Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

NRA Life (Patron) member