Oil Pan Drain Plug Drip

midnightdriver

Active Member

Jan 3, 2010

443

2

27

Northern California

Jan 28, 2011

#1

• Jan 28, 2011

• #1

I did a search and could not find anything.

I changed my oil in Dec and have not really driven the car since then, about 500 miles or so. The car was parked for 2 weeks when I went out to check on it today and notice that my drain plug had dripped some oil. I would est about 3 drips in 2 weeks (the spot was about the size of a quarter and was not super saturated). I started the car up and let it idle for about 10 min and had perfect oil pressure and no oil spray out, or start to drip.

Any ideas why it leaked a little, I have never had this issue before. Was it because it was sitting so long?

Thanks

And any tips for my next oil change if it drips some more?

 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

3,470

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108

Atlanta, GA

Jan 28, 2011

#2

• Jan 28, 2011

• #2

if youre worried about it, the next time you change your oil replace the plug. advanceauto/autozone has them. I had to change mine because the plastic gasket was completely cracked and dripping all over the place.

 

GDawg

Founding Member

Mar 22, 2002

1,469

19

68

Nevada

Jan 29, 2011

#3

• Jan 29, 2011

• #3

Is it tightened to spec?

 

B

bdcardinal

tree hugger

Jun 10, 2003

3,612

16

69

santa barbara, CA

Jan 29, 2011

#4

• Jan 29, 2011

• #4

spec is 19ft-lb for the drain plug. People over tighten those a lot and strip them out.

 

midnightdriver

Active Member

Jan 3, 2010

443

2

27

Northern California

Jan 30, 2011

#5

• Jan 30, 2011

• #5

When I tighten the drain plug, I usually tighten till snug and then an additional 1/4 of a turn. I have dealt with stripped oil plug bolts on other vehicles but my pan is just fine.

Its weird though, I put some cardboard under the car after I notice the drip. After I cleaned the area around the plug, it has not dripped since. I also drove the car about 25 miles today and after I got back and parked the car for awhile I did not see any oil drip on the cardboard.

I think my copper gasket is worn as I noticed that it had a slight grove in it the last time i changed my oil. I plan on buying a new copper gasket for the next time I change my oil. could I also use teflon tape?

 

sneaky98gt

10 Year Member

Apr 23, 2008

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NC State University

Jan 30, 2011

#6

• Jan 30, 2011

• #6

Next time you change your oil, go to Napa and get a new oil plug with a rubber o-ring. My GT, along with my granddad's 2 GTs and Mach 1, all started leaking oil at some point or another on the factory plug. New oil plugs with the rubber o rings have fixed all of our 'Stangs.

 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

3,470

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108

Atlanta, GA

Jan 30, 2011

#7

• Jan 30, 2011

• #7

just get a new drain plug why mess with teflon tape? the plugs are cheap enough

 

midnightdriver

Active Member

Jan 3, 2010

443

2

27

Northern California

Jan 30, 2011

#8

• Jan 30, 2011

• #8

sneaky98gt said:

Next time you change your oil, go to Napa and get a new oil plug with a rubber o-ring. My GT, along with my granddad's 2 GTs and Mach 1, all started leaking oil at some point or another on the factory plug. New oil plugs with the rubber o rings have fixed all of our 'Stangs.

Click to expand...

Well, I will put it on the purchases list for my next oil change. At napa or any other parts stores will they have to order a specific one for my mustang or is a generic one that they will have in stock? I will probably go get one next week and just put it in my glove box til my next change.

Thanks

 

RedDaemon

10 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

3,470

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108

Atlanta, GA

Jan 30, 2011

#9

• Jan 30, 2011

• #9

midnightdriver said:

At napa or any other parts stores will they have to order a specific one for my mustang or is a generic one that they will have in stock?

Click to expand...

please see my post above:

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/8369643-post2.html

 

sneaky98gt

10 Year Member

Apr 23, 2008

2,387

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NC State University

Jan 30, 2011

#10

• Jan 30, 2011

• #10

midnightdriver said:

Well, I will put it on the purchases list for my next oil change. At napa or any other parts stores will they have to order a specific one for my mustang or is a generic one that they will have in stock? I will probably go get one next week and just put it in my glove box til my next change.

Thanks

Click to expand...

I actually got mine from Carquest, which had it in stock, but I'm not sure if other areas in the country have that chain. I'd certainly think that either Advance, Auto Zone, Napa, or O'Reilly would have it in stock. If not, I know Advance will have ordered parts there by the next morning.