'01 Jetta - need to replace drain plug every time?

[Quattro Pete]

Am I supposed to use a brand new oil drain plug every time the plug is taken out (like during an oil change)?

These engines have a crush washer, but it's not removable from the drain plug itself, so I guess the entire drain plug must be replaced?

I just did an oil change but did not have a new drain plug, so I reused the old one, but I see the oil is now slowly seeping from it, so I guess I'm going to have to take it out, drain the oil again, and put a new plug in...

 

[Herz]

My GM vehicles have built in washers but they have many miles and dont weep. Even the NAPA replacements are like this.

 

[BobFout]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Am I supposed to use a brand new oil drain plug every time the plug is taken out (like during an oil change)?

These engines have a crush washer, but it's not removable from the drain plug itself, so I guess the entire drain plug must be replaced?

I just did an oil change but did not have a new drain plug, so I reused the old one, but I see the oil is now slowly seeping from it, so I guess I'm going to have to take it out, drain the oil again, and put a new plug in...



That is my understanding. Then again, I've never pulled the plug. Oil comes out topside here.

 

[brianl703]

Part # 1069 on this page has the same thread size as your current drain plug:

http://www.cgenterprises.com/drain_plugs_metric.htm

It has an attached rubber gasket. I think this is the best design:

I've used this type of plug on a Honda before, instead of dealing with their stupid crush washers.

 

[Herz]

well in that case, see if you can get a replacement metal plug and use disposable crush washers.

 

[Mau]

just cut the washers off and put a new one on.

No need to replace the bolt ever unless the stupid mechanics at your stealership strips the head of the bolt....argh!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: BobFout
Then again, I've never pulled the plug. Oil comes out topside here.

This is the first time I pulled the plug, just to see how much oil was still left, after I got done with the extractor. The 2.0 engine isn't the best for oil extraction from the top. There was still about 1/3 quart of oil left that came out through the drain hole. That's about 8% of total - not that much, but being an anal BITOG'er that I am... you know.

 

[beast3300]

Usually crush gaskets are one time use. I don't see alot of those cars. Maybe check out the dealership and see if they changed the drain plug (design) so you can just change the crush gasket. With I could be more help.

 

[Vizzy]

I have an MKIII Golf and it allows you to simply replace the crush washer..I would bet that you can simply use an older drain plug bolt from an MKIII and simply replace the crush washers at each change....BTW on our cars you should definitely replace the crush washer and the OEM are recommended parts store washers just don't seal correctly...If your nice to the counter person they will prolly give you half a dozen washers if you buy the bolt from them for free.

 

[SaturnIonVue]

Sounds like a good candidate for a Fomoto Valve.

 

[The Critic]

That's weird.

My friend's 2007 GTI has the same type of drain plug. At the 20k service, the dealer tech added a copper washer to the drain plug (in addition to the washer that was already on there).

When I did the oil change at the 25k service, I reused the plug and tightened it like any other drain plug. No problems at all.

I'll be doing the 30k oil change next week, so I'll see at that time if there are any signs of leakage.

 

[Kiwi_ME]

I tried an aftermarket drain plug with fiber washer on my 03 TDI but it keep coming loose.
I would suggest simply replacing the drain plug every few changes as they intended, or use a topside extractor.

 

[hominid7]

Are you sure it's not just crushed so far as to flatten out and make it difficult to get off?

On my mazda, if you re-use the crush washer more than twice, it flattens out so as to not come off the bolt, and must be cut off. After i figured this out, i use a washer once, flip it the second time, so i'm only installing a new washer every other time.

Also making sure not to over-tighten the bolt helps. It doesn't need to be as tight as you can get it. Only tight enough.

Then again, this may be some new fangeled bolt i'm not familiar with...

 

[hominid7]

If it looks something like this then i think maybe the old washer has just been crushed too much.

 

[L_Sludger]

Maybe you should get a Fumoto or Fram SureDrain and tighten it just once.

 

[rewote500]

Fumoto....

 

[hominid7]

Do the Fumoto's work well? I've always been scared to try it.

 

[Nik]

I re-used the same plug when I changed my oil ( 2 times). Maybe I should go to dealer and get new one for 3rd change.

 

[expat]

I never changed the crush washer on our Golf and have never had a leak in 20 OCI's

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Originally Posted By: hominid7
Are you sure it's not just crushed so far as to flatten out and make it difficult to get off?
enough.

The drain plug on these models is manufactured by sintering, and yes, with the washer in place and captive. It's a design I've never seen used elsewhere.