A simple oil change.....Negative

[Cpjlube]

From my experience it is easy to go softer with a steel pan. With aluminum the only costs effective solution is a steel insert (helicoil). They do make plugs that compress like a wall anchor, called toggle plugs. They work fine but it's not as positive a hold as threads. The new 6.7 ford diesel drain plugs are the first light duty application, that I have seen, of a composite or plastic plug. With a good o ring they seal pretty well. Being "plastic" it should be cheaper to make and sell. But they aren't. They are double the price.

Some shops install what they call a "power plug" in cars and trucks. The plug has a spring loaded check ball in the center. Using an adapter they hook up a drain hose to the plug to drain the oil. Pretty robust design and you never unthread the plug. Commonly used in aluminum oil pans on cars. The Honda dealers were big on them for a while.

Chuck

 

[kco]

Thanks for starting this thread and sharing your experience, Motorseven. I saw similar concerns regarding the Kioti drain plugs when preparing for my 50 hr service over a year ago. This thread is a good reminder.

If I had not read about others' problems with stripped plugs there's a good chance I would have stripped mine. I do have that tendency to give bolts that one final, FATAL turn.

I use a small wrench and mainly wrist action (as in twisting a jar lid) to install the plugs.

 

[k0ua]

Great, I think this thread started after I changed the oil at 50. In any case I did notice how "loose" the plugs were when I took them out..of course I did not put them back in that loose, you can bet the farm on that..I am noted for tightening things until they break, than back off a 1/4 turn. I never knew the pan was aluminum. I did not strip them going back in, but they sure are snug, I can guarantee it. NOW I am dreading this upcoming oil change, and taking the plugs out and finding the tell tale little curly shavings, you know the ones.....I wish I had seen this before.

James "worried in Branson"

 

[MotorSeven]

Well, James, at least there is a simple cheap fix...the piggyback plug was $5 & change....so drive & enjoy!

I cheat on all my other vehicles...I have a 12v oil change pump system. Stick the tube down the dipstick hole and it sucks out all the oil...yes all. I double checked my truck & car via the drain plug.....no more than a few drops. But with that split/hump in the oil pan on the DK I am too worried it would not get it all....so I do it the old fashioned way:muttering:

 

[heviduty]

Great, I think this thread started after I changed the oil at 50. In any case I did notice how "loose" the plugs were when I took them out..of course I did not put them back in that loose, you can bet the farm on that..I am noted for tightening things until they break, than back off a 1/4 turn. I never knew the pan was aluminum. I did not strip them going back in, but they sure are snug, I can guarantee it. NOW I am dreading this upcoming oil change, and taking the plugs out and finding the tell tale little curly shavings, you know the ones.....I wish I had seen this before.

James "worried in Branson"

Don't worry about a few shavings from the old threads in the oil pan. That's what the oil filter is for.