PSA: Beware Of Aftermarket Oil Pan Drain Bolts

[Ihave1]

Be careful when tightening down your oil drain bolts. I just sheared the head off of a magnetic drain plug I purchased from a well known BMW shop online. Fortunately I was able to still remove the bolt from the pan since it was nice and lubed up and I had kept my old OEM plug. It had felt weird the last few times I changed my oil and it was because the bolt head was twisting when the tread wasn't. Today it was weak enough to just pop off. The bolt is hollow to allow for the magnet and looks like it's soft aluminum that can be drilled out easily.

[jkoral]

Is it a Dimple brand?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=952495

[KNS]

I've been thinking of using the drain bolts for the E46. Same thread size but much beefier. hollow too.

[MuNkY6913]

I have a dimple plug for my oil pan. It looks and feels like good quality. Plan on getting one for my tranny as well.

[Ihave1]

Originally Posted by jkoral

Is it a Dimple brand?

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=952495

Nope. It was from ECS tuning. I wish I saw that thread earlier.

"Wish I could say the same about the ECS tuning plug I bought and never opened..."

[Yeineken]

Fantastic guess I get to look forward to this on my next oil change.

[Silenus]

Originally Posted by Ihave1

Be careful when tightening down your oil drain bolts. I just sheared the head off of a magnetic drain plug I purchased from a well known BMW shop online. Fortunately I was able to still remove the bolt from the pan since it was nice and lubed up and I had kept my old OEM plug. It had felt weird the last few times I changed my oil and it was because the bolt head was twisting when the tread wasn't. Today it was weak enough to just pop off. The bolt is hollow to allow for the magnet and looks like it's soft aluminum that can be drilled out easily.

I'm shocked that a bolt torqued to the appropriate spec, 25 NM, would shear off even when it was removed.

Now if it was overtorqued, I could see it happening.

[EMWOLB]

I'd like to put a Dimple on my car!

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Silenus

I'm shocked that a bolt torqued to the appropriate spec, 25 NM, would shear off even when it was removed.

Now if it was overtorqued, I could see it happening.

THIS!

Use a torque wrench on your drain plugs!!!!!!!!

25 Nm (18 ft.lb) is very little torque. It is VERY easy to over tighten it.

The threads on the bolt in the original pic look pulled from being over tightened, may just be the angle of the pic though.

[Ihave1]

I'll admit I don't use a torque wrench for the oil drain plug since it is almost impossible to fit underneath without jacking up the car very high. I have likely been over-torquing it, but I have never seen a bolt break off like that before.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Ihave1

I'll admit I don't use a torque wrench for the oil drain plug since it is almost impossible to fit underneath without jacking up the car very high. I have likely been over-torquing it, but I have never seen a bolt break off like that before.

Just curious, were you using the crush washer that comes with the oil filter?

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by Ihave1

I'll admit I don't use a torque wrench for the oil drain plug since it is almost impossible to fit underneath without jacking up the car very high. I have likely been over-torquing it, but I have never seen a bolt break off like that before.

Don't worry I doubt the dealers techs do either, I did my first one myself and noticed a small green paint mark on the filter lid. When I torqued it they lined up again after the dealer doing the free oil change the mark on the lid was well past the housing.

[JimD]

I've never used a torque wrench to change oil but I may start doing it for both the filter housing and the drain plug on the bimmer. I've changed a LOT of vehicles for a amateur. I used to do 40 or so a year as part of a free oil change event at our former church. Snug is snug always worked. But I had a problem with my filter housing cap last oil change and don't want any repeats. It isn't hard to get a 3/8 torque wrench where it needs to go. Only real difference from a ratchet is it's longer. I have one but if you don't, HF puts them on sale for $10 pretty regular. They are probably not terribly accurate but they are better than just snugging it and hoping for the best.

[The Wind Breezes]

On the plus side ECS does have great customer service so they'll refund you even if you bought the drain plug a while ago.

[Ihave1]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

Just curious, were you using the crush washer that comes with the oil filter?

Yeah, and for the past few oil changes I thought that is why it felt to mushy when tightening it down. Turns out that was just the bolt head twisting and metal stretching. It may be time to invest in a short 3/8" torque wrench.