How tight should an oil drain plug be tightened to?
With a wrench tighten the plug very lightly until it stops and is only snug with the pan. Then tighten the plug 1/4 turn. That’s it your done. Don’t over tighten your engine oil drain plug.
Is there a torque spec for oil drain plug?
The oil drain plug may be a basic drain plug, but the torque amount will be different. The typical torque specification for oil drain plugs on an aluminum oil pan is 20 to 25 foot-pounds.
Can you over tighten a drain plug?
Unfortunately, you can do damage by overtightening, too. If you over-tighten the drain plug, you can strip the threads. And while it’s harder to do, you can damage the rubber gasket atop the oil filter if you really overtighten it.
Does oil drain plug need washer?
As far as the thread goes, yes, there should be a crush washer on the drain plug. Low pressure systems can sometimes get away without, but don’t ever try to re-use a crush washer on a brake system.
Do you need a torque wrench for oil filter?
Apart from these basic items, you may need a torque wrench to properly install the plug and filter, though most experienced mechanics just tighten the bolt and filter by feel. The general rule is “hand tight,” or about as tight as you can get the bolt just turning the ratchet with your wrist.
How often should you change your oil drain plug?
Your drain plug should last the life of your engine if it is properly Torqued every time during oil change. I haven’t stripped a single drain plug in 20 years.
What causes a stripped oil drain plug?
It’s stripped because someone either cross-threaded it or put it on too tight. As for being old!!.. If the oil change is done correctly then the oil pan and bold threads should last as long as the rest of the engine. That means a lot of oil changes…the pan and bolt are fine.