Plastic oil drain plugs
- Thread starter AJHD
- Start date
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Holy ****, never heard of this.
I don't know if I could resist replacing with metal, but I'd at least have a spare on hand
I don't know if I could resist replacing with metal, but I'd at least have a spare on hand
Wrench97
Well-known member
The plastic twist in on the Ford pans?
Pliers, be sure to have a spare oring on hand I'm starting to see them seep around 60k
Pliers, be sure to have a spare oring on hand I'm starting to see them seep around 60k
Are you talking about new model Ford/VAG?
Maybe something like this:
www.lislecorp.com
Maybe something like this:
51150 Plastic Oil Drain Plug Set, 3pc.
Safely and Easily Remove Plastic Oil Pan Drain Plugs Found on Many Late Model Audi, BMW, Ford and Volkswagen without Damage to the Plug.
www.lislecorp.com
chris142
Well-known member
There is a piece of frame or something blocking the one on the f150 at my work. Can't get my fingers up in there so I use plyers.
Me either - having a plastic sump plug would annoy me. Though I guess that they just got tired of people stripping threads in alloy sumps and decided to use something even softer.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Are the pans plastic as well?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yes, hence the need for a plastic drain plug.
the Lisle tool works well but, a small pair of Knipex aligators/cobras does the job as well.
As others mentioned, it's smart to have a spare drain plug available as well. I don't think it needs to be replaced at each service but, they do seep after awhile.
nadogail
Well-known member
I am glad neither of my vehicles have plastic drain plugs. The plastic interior trim is bad enough, at 24 tears of age the oldest one is beginning to show it's use.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I have the actual tool for VAG, way nicer than a flathead. For some, it's just a 3/8 drive hole. No special tool needed. Others are just a flat edge, like ford, I use linesman pliers.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Fords I use a mini set of pliers. GM and others with the 3/8 square I use ratchet and extension just make absolutely sure your drain pan is ready on those I learned the hard way when I dumped 8 quarts of oil on the floor because I didn’t realize it would come right out I’m used to cracking them loose then positioning the pan. Talk about being embarrassed in front of your coworkers lol. Never done one on a Volkswagen thank god so I can’t help with that.
Oh, that's interesting FedWrench. I only work on my own cars, so no experiece with more recent stuff, but just wondering what's the reason for going to plastic sump pans. Is it cost saving or weight saving or some other reason?
We have new plugs in stock at the shop. I'm assuming they damage easily. I'm not looking forward to working on them.
I also was told some vehicles indeed do have plastic oil plans too. Not sure how I feel about those either.
I saw a plastic drain plug on what I think was a Ford back in mid-2017. But I haven't seen one since.
However I'm going to guess these things are unfortunately more popular on newer vehicles... We'll see after I've been at the new shop for awhile.
I also was told some vehicles indeed do have plastic oil plans too. Not sure how I feel about those either.
I saw a plastic drain plug on what I think was a Ford back in mid-2017. But I haven't seen one since.
However I'm going to guess these things are unfortunately more popular on newer vehicles... We'll see after I've been at the new shop for awhile.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
They're actually pretty nice, as management can't try to pin a stripped drain plug on you, or cheat you out of labor when you replace lubbies **** up. Sure, they leak, and the plugs never get replaced, but it's one of the lesser evils.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 651
Our 2020 Mustang GT had the plastic pan and plug on it, would drain 10qts in about 10 seconds if you weren't ready it make a mess in a hurry.
Cortez the Killer
Member
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2023
- Messages
- 8
Can you put a Fumoto valve on a plastic pan?
redragoon
Well-known member
I know VW has been running the plastic pans and drain plugs for a while. They get removed with a flat blade screwdriver and cam-lock into position with an o-ring. O-ring should be replaced at each oil change, but they usually only sell it installed on a new drain plug. I can't speak to the longevity of their design since it was a new car and I don't have to work on it anymore.
Our transmissions use a plastic oil pan and drain plug as well. Those use an internal allen/hex socket to drain the fluid. Have not had one leak in testing. Overall, they serve the same purpose as metal for 95% of the population driving on public roads.
Can you break it by driving your Jeep and landing it on a rock? Yes.
Would your metal pan have survived the same hit? Maybe, at least dented.
Does anyone with a new $60k Jeep go anywhere near those trails? Only a few.
Our transmissions use a plastic oil pan and drain plug as well. Those use an internal allen/hex socket to drain the fluid. Have not had one leak in testing. Overall, they serve the same purpose as metal for 95% of the population driving on public roads.
Can you break it by driving your Jeep and landing it on a rock? Yes.
Would your metal pan have survived the same hit? Maybe, at least dented.
Does anyone with a new $60k Jeep go anywhere near those trails? Only a few.
ThePostman
Well-known member
Ford diesels were using a plastic pan and plug for a while. Then went back to steel for what seemed a year, then it was back to the plastic. We keep those plastic plugs in stock, and replace them every time, otherwise it was guaranteed to seep. Even then, it still might seep. The plastic vws at least you can get new o-rings for them, and I just use a big flat head for those. The fords tend to have a 3/8s square drive. And yes have your catch pan ready, it drains very quickly.
Fumoto's website says they're aware of this new development. I got this warning on a recent purchase:
"In some cases, this model has a plastic drain plug. We don't currently have a solution for the plastic plugs. "
lighter, doesn't rust, cheaper to make (can be molded as a single operation, metal pans require multiple steps), probably lower material cost, stronger than **** sheet steel they've were made of, less brittle than cast aluminum, they're quietier than metal ones. What's the down side?
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Plastic + heat = brittle <<<Downside.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
oxidize and crack like all plastics will, heat accelerates it.
FredWanaker
Well-known member
cause the accountants said that is the way to go. Why spend $3.79 on an oil pan and plug when one can spend $3.69 and save 10 cents a car. Even with warranty claims, they make millions.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Engineers design parts, not accountants. But your angle is more fun
Before or after the alluminum one cracks or the steel one rusts? (I had a Land-Rover 2.25 oil pan rust enough to leak, and require repair. It's 3/16" thick; i've seen people use them to lift the whole truck.) Before or after the rest of the car is scrapped?
They've been around for 20 years, including in a bunch of heavy duty applications. The problems I've heard about have been gasket problems, hardly uncommon with metal ones.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Never in my life would I have thought someone would argue that a plastic oil pan is better than steel or aluminum.
minke
Well-known member
The 6.2L gas engine in my '17 F-350 has a plastic sump (you can tell by the sound when you thump it) and came with a steel plug. The Fumoto valve works fine.
minke
Well-known member
Remember the Land Rover motto: If it’s not leaking it’s empty.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Engineers design parts in accordance with the parameters set by others including accountants that run many companies now. Few companies of mass produced products let engineers design whatever they feel like.
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MarcSeattle
Well-known member
Snap-on has a special plastic socket set (flank drive!) and plastic Dual 80 ratchet. $216 and $112, respectively.
nadogail
Well-known member
Snap-on is now selling plastic socket sets and a ratchet? How long are the plastic tools guaranteed to last?
petee_c
Well-known member
Was about to change the oil for the 1st time in my daughter's 2015 VW Golf TSi (1.8L Turbo)... it has the plastic drain plug in it as well... 1st car with plastic drain plug
Is this a replace item? Can I replace the o-ring? Car has about 100K miles on it, she only drove it 5-6K miles in the past 12 months. She's only had it a year.
Amazon has replacements.
do i need to get these? or make a trip to the local VW dealer?
We've had a variety of VAG cars (both gas & diesel) for the past 20 yrs..... all others had metal drain plugs using metal crush washers.
Is this a replace item? Can I replace the o-ring? Car has about 100K miles on it, she only drove it 5-6K miles in the past 12 months. She's only had it a year.
Amazon has replacements.
do i need to get these? or make a trip to the local VW dealer?
We've had a variety of VAG cars (both gas & diesel) for the past 20 yrs..... all others had metal drain plugs using metal crush washers.
If there's no oil under it there's no oil in it.
My response was more to the plug before I kept reading and found we had plastic oil pans too. Plastic valve covers seem to be doing alright from what I've seen. In my experience, polymers+oil+heat+time+stress/impact hasn't been that great.
We design for a manufacturer warranty period and depending on market for a ~200k km vehicle life. I expect plastic pans are fine but I'll still question novel methods every time. We all remember how CVT's did initially. Like all things, plastics have come a long way but made me question if there wasn't ulterior motive to force customers to get oil change at service center only (though OEMs don't care much to line dealerships pocket as much as their own). It brought me memories of apple products and their resistance to fixing your own but apple owns their service centers unlike auto.
Nutria
Well-known member
Currently living the dream with Ford's plastic thermostat housing . . . on my third one.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Ford, GM, VAG seem to have the most issues with plastic cooling system components.
Heavy truck engines have used plastic oil pans and valve covers since the late 80's(Series 60 Detroit), since the early 201x's have started down the path of plastic coolant lines, coolant and oil filter housings/caps...................................
Pinemarten
Well-known member
Quotes from "The Graduate" 1967:
We are warned!
- Mr. McGuire: I just want to say one word to you. Just one word.
- Benjamin: Yes, sir.
- Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
- Benjamin: Yes, I am.
- Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
- Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?
- Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?
We are warned!
Buck_nekid
Well-known member
Ronin got a valve for the plastic plugs.
EASY OIL DRAIN FOR FORD
FITS: CLICK HERE TO SEE FITMENT GUIDE - In summary, if your oil drain plug is a yellow plastic plug, then this item should fit. 2021+ Ford F150 Lariat, XL, XLT 2.7 V6 2015-2020 Ford F150 2.7L, 3.5L, 5.0L V8 2017-2020 Ford Raptor V6 (Gen 2) 2018+ Ford Mustang 5.0L V8 2019+ Ford Edge ST 2.7L V6...
roninfactory.com
Ronin got a valve for the plastic plugs.
EASY OIL DRAIN FOR FORD
FITS: CLICK HERE TO SEE FITMENT GUIDE - In summary, if your oil drain plug is a yellow plastic plug, then this item should fit. 2021+ Ford F150 Lariat, XL, XLT 2.7 V6 2015-2020 Ford F150 2.7L, 3.5L, 5.0L V8 2017-2020 Ford Raptor V6 (Gen 2) 2018+ Ford Mustang 5.0L V8 2019+ Ford Edge ST 2.7L V6...
Ahh, now I feel better about the price of a Fumoto!
