Torqueing Oil Drain Plug
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Torqueing Oil Drain Plug
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is the best way to torque the oil drain plug? The socket I have doesn't clear the frame cross member. Will a thin wall socket fit, or do you need to use a crow's foot?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Try to use a short socket with a "wobble" extension that would allow you move just the minimal angle needed to clear the cross member.
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I just use a box end wrench and snug it up. Never had any problems with the plug leaking.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 13
From: SoCal CA
Using a crow's foot with a torque wrench will not apply the target torque to the plug. For it to be true, you have to use a socket, or be able to do the math for the lever effect introduced by the crow's foot.
Try to use a short socket with a "wobble" extension that would allow you move just the minimal angle needed to clear the cross member.
Try to use a short socket with a "wobble" extension that would allow you move just the minimal angle needed to clear the cross member.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
I am surprised that you guys don't use a torque wrench on this drain plug. It threads into aluminum--and it can be stripped out. It happened to the original owner of my Corvette. The bottom of the oil pan had to be replaced on warranty.
Any time a steel plug is threaded into an aluminum pan--a torque wrench should be used in my opinion. And the oil filter should be torqued also.
I use a very short/shallow socket and I haven't had an issue with clearance.
Any time a steel plug is threaded into an aluminum pan--a torque wrench should be used in my opinion. And the oil filter should be torqued also.
I use a very short/shallow socket and I haven't had an issue with clearance.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 155
Likes: 7
drain plug
the oil pan on the c5 is aluminum and therefore subject to stripped threads when tightening drain plug, but you can do as i have done and use a 'fumoto engine drain valve ' which once installed, never needs to be taken out. easy to open, locks shut, saves time, and makes the job of changing oil a snap. the oil pan on c5 improves structural rigidity and if the pan has to come out due to stripped threads, well............
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
I have worked on motorcycles for over 30 years and I have found out that any time steel is threaded into aluminum--it needs to be torqued correctly. As does anything relating to oil pressure and supply.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
the oil pan on the c5 is aluminum and therefore subject to stripped threads when tightening drain plug, but you can do as i have done and use a 'fumoto engine drain valve ' which once installed, never needs to be taken out. easy to open, locks shut, saves time, and makes the job of changing oil a snap. the oil pan on c5 improves structural rigidity and if the pan has to come out due to stripped threads, well............
Kind of like someone that opens the kill switch on a motorcycle parked in a public space-- and then watches the rider come back and wonder why the bike will not start with the starter button!
Some sick people out there with weird humor. But you probably don't have sick people in your area!
Last edited by phoneman91; Sep 1, 2015 at 01:20 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 6
From: Valencia CA
Do not use Loctite red!!! I hope this guy is joking. Loctite red will lock the plug. In fact in some cases you need to use a torch to melt the loctite if you plan to remove it. If anything, you can use the blue Loctite. If your using Loctite red, you might as well use JB Weld, at least it won't leak!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
Do not use Loctite red!!! I hope this guy is joking. Loctite red will lock the plug. In fact in some cases you need to use a torch to melt the loctite if you plan to remove it. If anything, you can use the blue Loctite. If your using Loctite red, you might as well use JB Weld, at least it won't leak!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Thanks for the reply. I read Toque's write up, which called for torqueing the plug. I haven't done my own work on cars since the days of steel oil pans and engine blocks, and was a little worried about the aluminum threads. For the rest of the posters, I'm glad you got some entertainment from it.
and yes, they've been having fun! 