mr_raja

Anyone replaced their Engine oil drain plug? While doing an oil change over the weekend, I noticed that the drain plug that I have in my car needs to be replaced. Since I was doing the service myself, on a Sunday, the Acura dealership was closed, and Pepboys and Advance Auto didnt have the replacement one for my car. So at the end, I installed the older, damaged one back. I think next oil change will definitely require me to replace the plug. Now my question to the folks that did replace the drain plug, where did you buy it from? Dealership? Ebay? Amazon? Local Auto store? I was looking around and came across some on Ebay that had straighter edges. Something similar to these.

M14 x 1 5 Red Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug Bolt Honda Acura Mazda Mitsubishi Suzuki | eBay

and:

Red Anodized Magnetic Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug Bolt w Crush Washer M14X1 5 | eBay

Anyone tried them? I dont really care if the drain plug is red, blue or rainbow color. As long as its the right size and works like it is supposed to. I couldnt confirm the size that will work with my car. Link 1 says that M14 x 1.5 is the size, but the Link 2 says that it is not.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

are you using the right tools?
six point and not 12 point socket.

if you buy the new drain plug and use a 12 point socket, you're gonna fuck it up again.

potmilkz

get a magnetic drain plug, aftermarket. cheaper and works the same

mr_raja

Yeah I am using the 6 point, socket. Its the damn angle that I have to work with. I am too short to reach under, and too fat to crawl under.

mr_raja

Yeah, just checked with Acura, the dang nut is for around 12 bucks. So now that we are squared up on the which one to use, anyone can confirm the size?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Just making sure. hate to see you buy a new drain plug and round off the edges due to incorrect tools.

mr_raja

Nah... When it comes to my car, I check and double check everything that i am going to use on or in it.

Thanks for looking out for it though.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

I can't help with the correct size but I bought a replacement at a local auto store (Advance Auto Parts I believe). The only real difference between the one I bought and the OEM version is the washer/gasket is plastic on the former and metal on the latter. If you didnt' feel comfortable with that I'm sure it could easily be resolved with a quick trip to Home Depot.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^the washers are "supposed" to be changed out every oil change anyway.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

^^^I've never really understood that...at least when it comes to the metal ones. It's not like they wear down, especially that quick!

I did go back to the metal one I had when the time came to change my oil after I used the non-OEM version. I didn't feel comfortable using the plastic one a second time.

C8N

^ Well... they are crush washers. They are supposed to get "crushed" to create a very tight seal.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^they're called "Crush" washers.

once you tighten it down, they crush.
one time use.

except, most people reuse them.
Including me.


I did notice in my mom's '12 Kia sportage that it was leaking from the drain bolt. I suspect the "crush" washer didnt clamp or seal all the way and had bought 10 crush washers from the dealership and on the next oil change will swap to a new one.

JTL12

some idiot at the dealer not only damaged my drain plug but also the oil pan in the process by forcing it in. they had to replace the entire thing. didnt cost me a cent, although my entire saturday morning was wasted.

mr_raja

I used the white Nylon crush washers in one of my previous cars. I think they were alright too for three reasons. One, they are much softer than the aluminum ones, so they will create a better seal, two, since it is nylon, they wont get rusted over time and wont require too much torque to open the drain plug. And three, since they are made out of nylon, I will need to replace them with ever oil change. So I will have no reason, or excuse, to reuse them.

C8N

Yeah... this happens more than it should.
The problem is that they use an impact gun to screw in the plug. It's a good thing that they fessed up and repaired the damage.

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

That's a good idea. Where did you get those? An auto parts store or home store like Lowe's or Home Depot?

mr_raja

The only time I did use them, I bought them from an auto parts store, it was Advanced Autos I think. I think I paid 1 or 2 bucks for a pack of 6 or something like that. But they were super cheap and it did not hurt me a bit when I had to throw the used one away. haha.

Perhaps this will do. 100 of them for less than 3 bucks. Assuming that the drain plug is M4 size.

JTL12

they didnt. i realized it after oil marks where all over my garage floor and anywhere i parked, smh.