Oil pan drain plug....

[mikedog_66]

When I went to the dealer to get my oil filter for my first oil change, I asked them if the oil oan drain plug needed a new rubber gasket and they told me there isn't one.

After changing my oil, I retorqued the drain plug to proper specs (18.5 ftlbs) and everything seems good, no leaks. However, in doing some research online, there seems be a separate rubber gasket O-ring available for the drain plug.

Does anyone here know for sure? And, if there is one, will I need to replace it?

[polizzio]

I change my own oil. I think the black rubber seal is part of the drain plug itself. You can't readily remove it. You would order a new drain plug, when and if you develop a drip.
Biggest deal imo with the drain plug is over tightening and damaging the threading in the oil pan itself. Some people get carried away tightening bolts and plugs. And your oil drain plug/oil pan is going to see a lot of action over a lifetime, so take care with it.

[maroonponyina1LE]

Hoping someone can answer your question. Would be interested to know if the LS3 V8 in the 2015 SS should have or not have a drain plug rubber gasket.

Additionally wondering if drain plug for LS3 has same torque specifications - where did you find that number?

...since we are on the topic of drain plugs: I read from a different thread that gold plug.com sells a magnetic oil pan plug for the V8. It sure appears that this magnetic plug AP-04 has a metal (!) washer with the model number SW-01. Additional questions I have about this drain plug: 1) is it made of the same metal as the original drain plug? ....dissimilar metals can lead to corrosion. 2) I thought I needed a 15 mm socket to change the oil, but this AP-04 plug is listed as a 12mm???

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[arkentect]

and if you order a new drain plug you might as well get a magnetic one

[Ryanbabz71]

The gasket is seated into the plug at least with my camaro and Silverado (same plugs). Iit appears removable but not easily (would have to pry it out). I swapped out to magnetic plugs





Ryan

[Dimitrim]

Yes, they do come off pretty easy the 0ring from the drain plug. I replace mine every time I do an oil change. Get it at the dealer, the oring for the drain plug is sold separately.

[Ryanbabz71]

Originally Posted by Dimitrim

Yes, they do come off pretty easy the 0ring from the drain plug. I replace mine every time I do an oil change. Get it at the dealer, the oring for the drain plug is sold separately.

Both of mine shown above were seated pretty well, even tried to pop one off with a screwdriver and it was on pretty good. Both of those plug have less than 2K miles on them.

[GMTool]

Oil drain plug that came with my SS will last for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles. The rubber insert that is embedded into the plug will last as long as the plug itself. I should never need to replace it.

[Ryanbabz71]

Also across 4 GM vehicles all same plug I have gone about 250K miles with the same gaskets on them.

[Dimitrim]

Originally Posted by GMTool

Oil drain plug that came with my SS will last for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles. The rubber insert that is embedded into the plug will last as long as the plug itself. I should never need to replace it.

It is synthetic oil that breaks them down. If you are using regular engine oil you have no problem. But synthetic engine oil causes them to swell. The rubber oring are pretty cheap like $3.00 at the dealer.

Remember, We have a softer aluminum oil pan not a harder steel one.

[Nessal]

I remember that O-ring was quite "stuck' on the plug. I wonder why more manufacturers don't all switch to a rubber O-ring instead of a metal crush washer. It just makes so much more sense.

[Dimitrim]

Originally Posted by Nessal

I remember that O-ring was quite "stuck' on the plug. I wonder why more manufacturers don't all switch to a rubber O-ring instead of a metal crush washer. It just makes so much more sense.

Nobody uses metal drain plug gaskets any more. They don't seal especially on our softer aluminum drain pan oil drain plugs. They are alright on the old thick cast iron gear boxes. But those too you have to replace the copper or aluminum drain plug gasket every time you change your oil. Most factory drain plugs are rubber like the american iron, GM, Ford, Chrysler. The Japanese use a soft fibre drain plug washers like Toyota, Honda, Subaru. Those too you have to replace every time you do an oil change. If you go to Napa Auto parts store they carry an assortment of these fiber oil plug drain gaskets behind the counter.

[GMTool]

My Original 16+ year old 2000 Silverado drain plug came with a little magnet on the tip of it. Other than that it is identical to my Camaro's drain plug. The rubber insert is as good as new, been using Mobil 1 for ever. The internal threads in our aluminum oil pans are not aluminum. They are made with a steel insert. Stripping the threads should never be an issue. Tighten it good and snug with a 15mm boxed end wrench.
Just realized the OP's account is suspended. I often wonder why this happens to people.

[Ryanbabz71]

Originally Posted by Dimitrim

Nobody uses metal drain plug gaskets any more. They don't seal especially on our softer aluminum drain pan oil drain plugs. They are alright on the old thick cast iron gear boxes. But those too you have to replace the copper or aluminum drain plug gasket every time you change your oil. Most factory drain plugs are rubber like the american iron, GM, Ford, Chrysler. The Japanese use a soft fibre drain plug washers like Toyota, Honda, Subaru. Those too you have to replace every time you do an oil change. If you go to Napa Auto parts store they carry an assortment of these fiber oil plug drain gaskets behind the counter.

In 38K miles on my wife's Toyota Sienna I have never replaced the drain plug "washer".


Ryan