jbakyy

Hello,

I have a very small oil leak at my Drain Plug on 1971 and was wondering if is ok to use a little RTV or Teflon tape near the head of the bolt?

Thank you,
Greg

c6 CHEVY

I have used Teflon tape on mine and it worked fine. It's a nice clean app.

wcsinx

They're not sealing threads. Why not just get a new gasket?

MelWff

go to any GM dealer and ask for this part number 14090908. It is a drain plug gasket with a rubber ring on both sides.

glackore

I have always used teflon tape in addition to a gasket. Teflon tape is for threads - on the drain plug I view it as added insurance for these old cars and old oil pans. Just don't be careless with it. G

SanDiegoPaul

Exactly. The gasket is what seals, not the threads ...

bashcraft

Teflon tape is for tapered pipe threads. Not straight threads, such as these drain plugs.

pws69

I have always had the best luck with the Copper washers. You should be able to get one at NAPA.

MotorHead

I always had a problem with oil dripping from the plug so I use the Permatex Black on both sides of the gasket for the oil drain plug, nothing to it really and it works

*I put this on all my posts: Please post back to those who helped you, the final outcome of your initial post

gcusmano74

Listen to what MelWff said. Also you might be able to get an aftermarket replacement O ring type plug seal from any good auto parts store, NAPA, etc.

Enersis

Advance auto, $3 bucks for new plug and gasket, I change the plug and gasket every oil change.

gingerbreadman1977

alot are saying that teflon tape is only for threads but when you wind it on twined at the base of the bolt (last 2 threads)it will flatten out and seal once the bolt bottoms out. Its a great insurance and does work without putting any on the threads....with threadtape just remember to roll it on tight in the same direction as the threads as any good plumber would teach.

cv67

Do a real fix, not glue, tape. Hey its your motor.

bashcraft

So you would do this everytime you changed the oil and hope it works rather than spending $3 to buy a new gasket?

wcsinx

ding!

gingerbreadman1977

i do both. gasket and a few laps of tape at the base . i dont have to hope because it works as i use thread tape every day at work so i have a fair idea what its good for.

bashcraft

The purpose of teflon tape is to lubricate tapered pipe threads so that the joint can be tightened sufficiently to provide a seal. The seal is created between the threads, not by the tape.

That said, I guess teflon tape is a lot like duct tape. It'll fix just about anything.

gingerbreadman1977

no duct tape is not like thread tape you idiot and i dont care if your being sarcastic. give up and stop sounding like a broken record. like i said i use thread tape every day at work . im not telling you to use it so do what you want.

bashcraft

Gee, now you've gone and hurt my feelings...

billcarson

all this emotion over a plug?