Engine Oil Drain Plug

[schuvwj]

I changed my oil for the first time this weekend. All of my previous changes have been done by my local F/M dealer but they were too busy to get it changed when I wanted.

I noticed the engine oil drain plug tightened by the dealer was really tight.

After draining the oil and installing a new filter, I tightened the drain plug to 25 ft-lbs.

Does anyone know what the correct torque specs are for the engine drain plug?

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Hey Bill,

I am sure there is a torque spec for the drain plug although I do not know what it is. I have been changing the oil on my vehicles since 1984. I tighten the plug by hand with a box wrench. Once the plug seats I give the wrench one good tug to make sure the drain plug seal has seated. Do not over do it as you may break the plug or strip the threads. In the 20 years of doing this I have never had a problem with leaks. Before you screw the plug back in make sure that the seal is still intact.

Tim :fire: 49

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by 2003_MM_FYRE49
Hey Bill,

I am sure there is a torque spec for the drain plug although I do not know what it is. I have been changing the oil on my vehicles since 1984. I tighten the plug by hand with a box wrench. Once the plug seats I give the wrench one good tug to make sure the drain plug seal has seated. Do not over do it as you may break the plug or strip the threads. In the 20 years of doing this I have never had a problem with leaks. Before you screw the plug back in make sure that the seal is still intact.

Tim :fire: 49

Thanks Tim!
You know I have changed my car oil for 32 years and never once used a torque wrench either. However when I started to remove my drain plug it felt like the threads on the plug were on the verge of being stripped. I had to wrench the plug out until it was nearly all the way out.

I just wondered if some one had the torque value so when I buy a new plug this would not happen again.

Thanks Again Tim!

[valleyman]

Per shop manual for 2003 model year the drain plug torque spec is 10 lb-ft (14 Nm). It took me forever to find it. It's in §303-1B-100.

[schuvwj]

Originally posted by valleyman
Per shop manual for 2003 model year the drain plug torque spec is 10 lb-ft (14 Nm). It took me forever to find it. It's in §303-1B-100.

Thanks valleyman for looking up the number. I am going to leave it at 25 for now but the next time I chage the oil I'll use your number of 10 ft-lbs.

My Helm' books were ordered on 12/23/03 so I check the cuurent status of my order. It seems they have not sent them yet! Very Slow!

Thanks agian valleynman!

[valleyman]

Glad to help. I also have the '03 wiring diagrams.

[jfclancy]

10 seems low but I agree with Tim more concerned with stripping it out, So far the wondeful folks at Speedy lube been doing a fine job of Keeping Mobil 1 0-20 in mine.

Joe Clancy

[carfixer]

The threads on the oil drain plug were designed to be sacraficial and are considerably softer than the threads of the oil pan. In the event of a crossthread, the pan will be safe. The drain plug is only a $5 item.

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by schuvwj
Thanks Tim!
You know I have changed my car oil for 32 years and never once used a torque wrench either. However when I started to remove my drain plug it felt like the threads on the plug were on the verge of being stripped. I had to wrench the plug out until it was nearly all the way out.

I just wondered if some one had the torque value so when I buy a new plug this would not happen again.

Thanks Again Tim! Tim - Once the drain plug is loose it should turn out by hand.

[Fourth Horseman]

Originally posted by valleyman
Glad to help. I also have the '03 wiring diagrams.

I've got the shop manual, but how much did the wiring diagrams cost?

[LincMercLover]

Originally posted by schuvwj
However when I started to remove my drain plug it felt like the threads on the plug were on the verge of being stripped. I had to wrench the plug out until it was nearly all the way out.

My dealer did one oil change to my car (and with the wrong oil no less... wouldn't use what I gave 'em), since I've done all the oil changes myself. I always have on all our other cars as well. I was suprised as well to find the plug would not just spin out once loosend. The plug isn't stripped, I looked, I think it's just the threading pattern between the pan and the plug.

[valleyman]

Horseman - from Helm Publications wiring diagram/component location charts was $55.00. There's a lot of diagrams in there (it's for Crown Vic/G Marquis/Marauder), appeaars to be quite complete. Book is about 3/4" thick.