Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Stealer broke my drainplug.

[me4osu]

I had a dealer in N. Texas put a clutch in while on a business trip 500 mi from home. Their mechanic did a great job on the clutch and rear main. However, at the same time, I decided to have them change the oil. I always change the oil myself, but figured they knew what to do, wrong.



I had to get a filter wrench on the oil filter and push as hard as I could to get the filter loose. I loosened the drainplug like I always do to drain the oil. When I went to torque the plug to 44 ft-lb, I felt it slip. I freaked, called them and started talking stripped pan and all of that mess.



The Wife told me to go look at it again. I did, and it appeared to be cracked all around the center part of the plug. I had to fill it with oil to move the truck and get the Wife's rig out. Went to my local dealer and bought a new plug and gasket. Swapped them real quick with a full pan and only lost 1. 5 qts. .



Anyway, luckily the dealer's oil change gorilla only overtightened it enough to crack the flange, and not pull the pan threads.



Just thought I would share. I will NEVER let ANYONE change my oil again.

 

[lschultz]

Sometimes you got to learn the lesson the hard way. :{

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Let someone ELSE touch my truck unless I absolutely HAVE to?



THAT'LL be the day...

 

[TowPro]

This was a problem with the early 24V's. I even think they changed the torque specs around 99.

 

[Bob4x4]

It is really not that rare to see the plug crack. I personally would never torque that plug to 44 ft lbs. If you put a shop vac on the top of that motor you will not lose any oil.



Bob

 

[Big-D]

Shop Vac

Bob,



I've heard of that trick, but never had reason to use it. Will the vacuum suck up any oil into the hose or canister? Also, what is the best way to seal around the fill hole in the valve cover?

Dave

 

[Bob4x4]

Well the times I have used the shop vac I have never gotten any oil into it. I never got to fancy about the seal to the engine either,I don't think it would be necessary to obtain a perfect seal.



Bob

 

[illflem]

If you use the vac trick remember to block the blowby or the oil will dump. Some screwdriver handles work prefect.

 

[SnoKing]

Buy the HD plug from Geno's, factory plugs are a POS. SNOKING

 

[MikeR]

44 ft-lbs is going to break the drain plug. I think that DC corrected the torque figure since then. Somewhere around 22-25 is more appropriate. (44-wow! that pan and bolt aren't a strong as a lugnut and stud!)



I have never had a problem with the factory drain plugs doing my own work on my 3 trucks. The 95 I bought used had a cracked plug when I got it, never had a problem with factory parts since.

 

[Jeff Knight]

I don't use a torque wrench on my drain plug. I tighten it by using my ratchet. My 95 had 199,000 miles with the original plug. Jeff