Has anyone used one of these quick drain plugs? - DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums - Dodge Intrepid, Concorde, 300m and Eagle Vision chat

**BiliTheAxe** · 12-03-2012, 01:00 AM

The shop that was doing my in warranty oil changes stripped the drain plug threads so that now I have an oil leak.
I was thinking of using one of these, and epoxying it in place so that it will seal the leak permanently.

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
Not sure which size to get though, as the shop put in an over sized plug in an attempt to correct the issue, but it still leaks.

Suggestions will be more than welcome.

**CaptainMorgan** · 12-03-2012, 01:06 AM

Oh yeah, lots of guys have them. I've been using one for years. Get the one with the nipple on it to hook a hose on if you want to. It was only a dollar more than the other version back when I got it.

I don't know if you'll be able to solve the leak, but the fumotu valves are great.

**peva** · 12-03-2012, 07:30 AM

The reason the oversize plugs often leak is that they have a tendency to tilt a little (not follow the original threads) - the tilt causes the plug head not to seat flush to the hole land. Dorman very stupidly puts a hard washer on the plug, so it can't squish and compensate for the tilt. The solution is *not* to tighten it harder (the threads are weak, and you could strip them again long before it seals) but to put a softer washer in place of the hard one, and replace it with every oil change or every other oil change if it takes a set.

I don't think the Fumotos and similar come with oversize thread (likely because they realize that they too would have the same problem of not necessarily forming new threads straight), so you'd have to tap to the next size up. You are asking about epoxying it in, so I guess that would work - a little risky. I'd use nothing but J-B Weld on it if that's the way you go.

My only complaint about the Fumotos (and pretty much all similar solutions) is that the pee hole is relatively small, so the flow is lower and so drawing of particulates off the bottom of the pan floor is not going to be as effective. That doesn't bother most people, and I realize it's not a huge problem - I just like the drain to have more of a flushing effect - otherwise I'd probably be using it or something like it. A lot of people use them, love them, and have no problems.

But yeah - once the threads are stripped, you have to improvise to put a Fumoto in - either tap it larger or helicoil it (making sure not to tilt it in both cases - can be a little tricky to guarantee that) or, like you said, epoxy it in.

GTXKen · 12-03-2012, 08:21 AM

I dont think thats a good fix for a leak, its going to be harder to thread in than a regular plug. I'm sure they say it prevents leaks because you don't have to remove it to drain oil. I think your best bet is to either tap the threads for a larger plug or helicoil it.

***Daytrepper*** · 12-03-2012, 09:51 AM

In my experience, these have been the best fix for severely stripped oil pans on these cars...never had one leak:

Very quick, very easy permanent fix, no worries of it falling out or coming apart.

If your pan is stripped bad, a Fumoto isnt going to help you, as it threads into the pan as well. I wouldnt trust epoxy on something so critical, but thats just me. Only other solution is to replace the pan.

**cdmccul** · 12-03-2012, 11:23 AM

If it was stripped IN warranty, wouldn't that mean they are liable to replace the pan if the fix they installed failed?

**CaptainMorgan** · 12-03-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peva

The reason the oversize plugs often leak is that they have a tendency to tilt a little (not follow the original threads) - the tilt causes the plug head not to seat flush to the hole land. Dorman very stupidly puts a hard washer on the plug, so it can't squish and compensate for the tilt. The solution is *not* to tighten it harder (the threads are weak, and you could strip them again long before it seals) but to put a softer washer in place of the hard one, and replace it with every oil change or every other oil change if it takes a set.

I don't think the Fumotos and similar come with oversize thread (likely because they realize that they too would have the same problem of not necessarily forming new threads straight), so you'd have to tap to the next size up. You are asking about epoxying it in, so I guess that would work - a little risky. I'd use nothing but J-B Weld on it if that's the way you go.

My only complaint about the Fumotos (and pretty much all similar solutions) is that the pee hole is relatively small, so the flow is lower and so drawing of particulates off the bottom of the pan floor is not going to be as effective. That doesn't bother most people, and I realize it's not a huge problem - I just like the drain to have more of a flushing effect - otherwise I'd probably be using it or something like it. A lot of people use them, love them, and have no problems.

But yeah - once the threads are stripped, you have to improvise to put a Fumoto in - either tap it larger or helicoil it (making sure not to tilt it in both cases - can be a little tricky to guarantee that) or, like you said, epoxy it in.

I know what you're saying about the fumotu draining slowly Bill. I run the engine all the way up to operating temperature to get the oil hot so it flows out as quickly as possible.

**paintballdude05** · 12-03-2012, 06:33 PM

I have the Fumoto on both my cars, love them.

**peva** · 12-03-2012, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainMorgan

I know what you're saying about the fumotu draining slowly Bill. I run the engine all the way up to operating temperature to get the oil hot so it flows out as quickly as possible.

That definitely should help. That also makes it a lot of fun if you happen to dump the oil filter on your hand/arm while removing it.

LOL!

el_charal · 12-06-2012, 08:37 PM

These seem pretty cool.. Never knew they existed. Why haven't THEY fixed your problem? You had a perfectly good drain plug when you took your car to them and when you took it home it was damaged. They damage it, they pay. Warranty or not.

**BiliTheAxe** · 12-06-2012, 08:46 PM

That's what I thought too, but apparently not. They blamed it on it being old aluminum that was weakened from age.

el_charal · 12-06-2012, 08:54 PM

If it was old, they shouldn't have done any work for you. Because if they do and they damage it KNOWING it was old and could be damaged, they are liable. I'm not a lawyer but I have enough common sense to know that if a mechanic damages something, he has to fix or compensate you for it. You damage, you pay. Simple logic. Btw sweet SXT, dude.

el_charal · 12-06-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peva

That definitely should help. That also makes it a lot of fun if you happen to dump the oil filter on your hand/arm while removing it.

LOL!

That happened to me on my 1st oil change. The oil wasn't hot but it was warm. Now I know lol.

GTXKen · 12-06-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytrepper

In my experience, these have been the best fix for severely stripped oil pans on these cars...never had one leak:

Very quick, very easy permanent fix, no worries of it falling out or coming apart.

If your pan is stripped bad, a Fumoto isnt going to help you, as it threads into the pan as well. I wouldnt trust epoxy on something so critical, but thats just me. Only other solution is to replace the pan.

I've never seen one of those, great and simple idea! And I totally agree, I wouldn't trust epoxy on something so critical.

GTXKen · 12-06-2012, 09:13 PM

This thread is just another reminder of why I do all my own oil changes.