Oil Drain Plug (OEM)

[Coronach]

Is it just me, or is the OEM drain plug really, really soft?

I've been changing my own oil for over 20 years now (Christ, I'm old), and I have never once run into this issue. But TWICE now with this car (out of 3 oil changes) I have had problems with the oil drain plug. The first time I changed the oil, the plug was SUPER tight and pre-mangled, corners all rounded off. I eventually said "f*** it" and took it to the dealership for an oil change, figuring that the previous owner was a dolt. They put on a new plug. The next oil change I did myself, no issues (but, I noted that the plug looked kinda rounded already just from them seating it). I just slid under the car today and went to take it the plug off, and the thing is not budging, but the corners are rounding. What. The. ****?

Is the OEM plug THAT soft? I'm about ready to buy a non-Ford replacement, or maybe even one of those ball valve ones (though, that seems like adding a failure point in a pretty critical area).

Is there a really low torque spec on that plug?

 

[krewat]

I've had a 2013, a 2016, and now a 2018, and I never had that problem. Sounds like someone likes to use a wrench that's not the right size.

 

[Irish Pride]

I work in the parts department of a Ford Dealership and I hand out replacement drain plugs all the time. It's not just you, and it's not by lack of qualified technicians. The drain plugs do round off really easy for some reason.

I've had the same drain plug on my 91+ for 8 years now. Go get an aftermarket Dorman and you'll be happier.

 

[Coronach]

That was what I was thinking of doing.

And the wrench size is 15mm, if I remember correctly.

(God, I hope I'm remembering correctly, otherwise I just became the prime suspect)

 

[krewat]

Use a 6-point socket, and no air tools - which is probably why they keep getting rounded off in the first place.

 

[Coronach]

Too high-tech. Box-end wrench. 6-flat, not 12. Not sure what they used at the dealership, but like I said, it was rounded a bit the last time I put it on.

 

[Jeff2017]

I have done 3 oil changes on my 2015(don't drive far) and the oil plug has been fine. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Johnbigdog]

I replaced mine at 100K with 5K intervals. Good wrenches shouldn't round off the plug. Also depends if you use 6 or 12 point wrenches and if you have a full bite of the plug.

If anyone is curious, the drain plug torque spec is 20 ft-lbs.

 

[GHNorth]

I'm about ready to buy a non-Ford replacement, or maybe even one of those ball valve ones (though, that seems like adding a failure point in a pretty critical area).

I've been running a Fumoto valve on my SHO since March 2016. Before that I ran a Fumoto valve on my Isuzu VehiCROSS for 14 years, and NEVER had an issue, including some off road use. I have full confidence in Fumoto.

F107N: Fumoto Engine Oil Drain Valve with ****** for drain plug size 12mm-1.75

 

[Spootcat]

+1 for Fumoto valves. Have them on three cars, putting one on 4th soon (new truck). Have been failure free for three + years. Connect to hose and small pump to oil bucket for mess free oil changes.

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

[Eric Morris]

Never had an issue on any of my Fords- I've use the same drain bolt for over a decade on multiple Fords.

However, I can see them using a soft steel so if someone turns it the wrong way, the bolt will get stripped and not the pan.

I only say that because I was a stupid teenager at one point and did that exact thing on my dad's car. It stripped the drain bolt threads, but I was able to pry between the bolt head and the pan while turning it the correct way and got it to back out. The pan threads were fine.

 

[Tim Teague]

+1000 on the Fumoto valve. I've been using them for 15 years with no issues. They do drain fairly slowly, hot oil comes out faster of course. My favorite under $30 mod ever. ..