I just changed the oil in my wife's 89 today, and just replaced the oil pan about 3 months ago, with a nearly new part. The drain plus is also brand new. However, before draining it today, I noticed a small drip coming from the bottom of the plug. I was thinking maybe it wasn't tight enough, so I removed it, did the oil change, and put it back in. I ran the car for a bit, checked the level, and it was fine. After some driving around, I checked under the car, and sure enough, there was that small drip again. It's not frequent, just a drip that builds up and then falls periodically. If it's a brand new drain plug, and perfect condition, nearly new pan, how can there be a drip?
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Do you have the washer around the plug?Originally posted by Gruelius -
Throw some teflon tape on the threads.
Does the bolt have the washer it needs?Comment
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Yeah, the washer is on there.
Teflon tape is exactly what I was thinking, but dammit, I just put 5 fucking quarts in. Guess It's another $15 trip to Napa. Oh well, I'll just keep an eye on the level until then.
it still doesn't make any sense that it would be dripping.Comment
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How many quarts do you think it'd drip in the next 3-4k miles? Is it worth draining and putting the tape on now?Originally posted by GrueliusComment
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^5 Ken, we posted at the same time.Originally posted by kencopperwheat
Josh, M20B25's only take 4.5 quarts, you are overfilling it.Comment
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Not according to the dipstick. At 4.5 quarts, it was still halfway between the low and high marks.Originally posted by Digitalwave
Ken, I will keep an eye on it. I know it's not going to drip that much in a few miles, I'm talking like a few drops a day drip, like 5-10 drips.Comment
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drain plug leak
i had similar problem when i used non bmw washer. if you are not using the correct washer go to dealership and pick up the correct washer. it solved my leak. its worth a try if u cant stand the dripping.
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Re: drain plug leak
Well, I ordered the new drain plug (came with a washer on it) from Bavarian Autosport, and it's the OEM part, so it's kind of pissing me off.Originally posted by Kondour
I know it wasn't leaking before, the oil spots have only recently appeared.
*EDIT* Jordan has just informed me that the washer is actually not supposed to be a washer, it's intended to be a single use copper crush ring. I'll pick one up tomorrow.Comment
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Did you use the correct torque spec on the drain plug?
Its possible that you stretched the bolt too far by overtightening it, which can cause the bolt to loosen up more easily. (At least according to my auto tech book).'91 318is
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I've never torqued the drain plug to a certain spec before, I've always just tightened it until it felt good and tight, and never had drips.Originally posted by BrewComment
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get another person with you under the car, pull hte drain plug out, have your friend or whomever stop the leak with their finger, put the new crush ring or tape or whatever u want, then switch. Shouldn't loose more than half a quart maybe.
Kyle1988 M3, 97 840, 99 XJ
DILLIGAFComment
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If that solves it, then cool.
If it somehow got over torqued and threads stripped.....it happened over a lot period of time to my first car (dealership said the oilpan would need to be replaced) Fuck that, self-tapping oversized drain plug solved it fine and never leaked until my sister was driving it and got totalled like 2 years later.Comment
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the issue is definately the washer, singule crush rings cant be reused, im more than willing to bet that that is your problem. and for future reference, if you get your oil filters from the dealer (OEM bmw filters) they come with new o-rings and crush rings. good luck manDan
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are you sure you don't have a leak somewhere? it's not neccesarily coming from the drain plug..Comment
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