Changing Engine Oil (LS2 engine)
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
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Changing Engine Oil (LS2 engine)
The owners manual only addresses "Changing Engine Oil and Filter (ZO6 only)" and identifies an installed torque value for 2 oil drain plugs at 18 lbs ft. Since no information paragraph is written for "Changing Oil and Filter (except ZO6)" is given, can I assume it has 1 drain plug and its installed torque is also 18 lb ft. I am having the oil and filter changed on Friday and I want to have the oil drain plug tighten to the correct value.
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1 drain plug and SNUG is fine. No need to get too **** with torque on oil pan drain plugs as long as you don't "gorilla" it. Just eyeball it after you start it to check for leaks. (filter as well) Filters are also snugged. I do my filter by hand to avoid over tightening.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Bergen County, NJ Sarasota, FL
Originally Posted by capevettes
1 drain plug and SNUG is fine. No need to get too **** with torque on oil pan drain plugs as long as you don't "gorilla" it. Just eyeball it after you start it to check for leaks. (filter as well) Filters are also snugged. I do my filter by hand to avoid over tightening.
That's good advice. I've never used a torque wrench on a drain bolt.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
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From: North Western Connecticut
Originally Posted by capevettes
1 drain plug and SNUG is fine. No need to get too **** with torque on oil pan drain plugs as long as you don't "gorilla" it. Just eyeball it after you start it to check for leaks. (filter as well) Filters are also snugged. I do my filter by hand to avoid over tightening.
.... sometimes we get TMI when it comes to something as simple as an oil change!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
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From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Originally Posted by ETHYL
The owners manual only addresses "Changing Engine Oil and Filter (ZO6 only)" and identifies an installed torque value for 2 oil drain plugs at 18 lbs ft. Since no information paragraph is written for "Changing Oil and Filter (except ZO6)" is given, can I assume it has 1 drain plug and its installed torque is also 18 lb ft. I am having the oil and filter changed on Friday and I want to have the oil drain plug tighten to the correct value.
Having worked on cars almost since puberty, I grew up disdaining the use of torque wrenches. As tight as you could reasonably get them was the rule. That was back when cars were made out of iron and steel. Now that my cars have a lot of aluminum on them, I use a torque wrench on virtually everything...one bad experience is all it will take to help you see the light.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
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Something to look for at an oil change and a sign that they know what they are doing. They will use the full ratchet handle when taking the plug off but will choke up or move their hand to the ratchet head to tighten it so they don't over tighten.
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