I just had a small problem at my local Pennzoil Oil Service Center. I normally change my oil to make sure it is done correctly, but I was in a hurry and thought I would let them change the oil in my Trailblazer SS with LS2 Corvette engine.

When I moved my car the next morning there was a 12 inch puddle of oil on my checkerboard garage floor, next to my 07 C6. (I do have a Corvette so I can ask visit the forum)

I jacked it up and was able to hand tighten the filter 1/2 turn. I thought that was the end of it, but oil continued to puddle every night under the SS. I took it back to Pennzoil thinking they might have left the old gasket in with the new filter. They changed the filter at no cost and added a 1/2 quart of Mobil 1.

Next morning more oil on the floor. Wiped it up thinking is was just left over on the frame. Next AM same puddle. Jacked up the SS last night and observed the oil filter to be dry, but found a drop on the oil plug. It was tight but I noticed the copper seal washer was not centered on the plug, it just looked odd that a factory seal would not be centered on the drain plug.

Went to my Chevy parts dept and purchased a new oil drain plug. It has a built in seal and no seperate copper washer seal. Went back to Pennzoil and they pulled the drain plug and put the new one in. Didn't loose an ounce of oil.

Oddly there was an oversized copper washer/seal on the plug that obviously didn't come with the SS engine. I suspect it came off a previous vehicles oil change and just got picked up of the drain screen with my plug.

Unfortunately there is probably someone out there that is missing a copper seal on their vehicle.

Pennzoil was very professional through all of this, and while I was at the Chevy dealers getting a new plug, to be sure it was correct I boughy a really neat yellow Corvette cap.

You guessed it, I will be back to doing my own oil changes in the future.
LJ

 

A bit off topic but reminded me of a Mobil 1 Oil filter experience I had last fall... I went to buy one of those filters at the local Advance Auto parts store - 7 of the 8 they had in stock had metal shavings (thin sliver ring) from the center hole thread cut - I always check that sort of thing (but wonder if many do - esp. service centers that slap on parts)... most of the 'slivers' of metal were almost a full turn long...
I can't recall now who makes these (same OEM mfr as K&N IIRC) but expected better QC considering the cost...

 

anyone know the proper size and type of crush washer to use?

 

On what vehicle?

 

Corvette Forum > C6 Corvette, 2005 - ???? > C6 Tech/Performance

Is there actually a difference in the oil drain plug on an 05 vs 06 or a coupe vs vert?

 

After my drain plug came loose one day & I lost most of my oil I will never let anyone change my oil but me.



If someone is gonna mess up my car, it's going to be me.

 

No, and no copper washer either.

 

interesting... i've always used a crush washer of some sort on an oil drain plug.

 

Corvettes use a captive O-ring.

 

My factory plug and magnetic plug I bought from the dealer had the O-ring and no copper.

 

There is no gasket, the o-ring is built into a new $5 drain plug

 

Pennzoil was very professional through all of this .....

Not properly tightening the oil filter and adding a washer to the drain plug that does not belong, is not professional. Either one of these mistakes could have cost you an engine.