GM Plastic Drain Plug

MurkyAsparagus

MurkyAsparagus

Joined
Dec 20, 2022
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Anyone have experience with GM's plastic oil drain plug? Was used in the 2.0T and 2.7T engines, with the 2.7T switching back to a metal pan.

Seems like a better design than Ford's and VW. How many times do you think the gasket can be reused, just until a small leak is seen, probably 25 - 50k miles? Biggest downside is probably the oil change itself, after pulling the plug. Only 10-15 seconds and 5 qts end up on the floor because the pan can't keep up. Thoughts?
 
It'd likely be the o ring that would wear before the big thread but I doubt they sell those individually or if they do it's too expensive to justify buying over the plug and o ring together. I'd keep reusing it but have one on hand in case it leaks. I had no idea GM was using this. It does look less bad than fords but that's not a compliment. And yeah the flow rate is crazy, I'd try to use a tall container to keep it from splashing as much.
 
MurkyAsparagus said:
...
Seems like a better design than Ford's and VW. How many times do you think the gasket can be reused, just until a small leak is seen, probably 25 - 50k miles? Biggest downside is probably the oil change itself, after pulling the plug. Only 10-15 seconds and 5 qts end up on the floor because the pan can't keep up. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Get a bigger drain pan. Problem solved.

I have the plastic plug (and pan) on my 2016 F150 with the 2.7. 130,000 miles with the original plug. No leaks (and no pan leaks either). Love not messing around with a wrench or socket wrench to get the plug off. One hand, easy peasy. Folks who break tabs and such on the Ford plugs generally are trying way to hard to force them...

No complaints here...
 
JavierH19 said:
It'd likely be the o ring that would wear before the big thread but I doubt they sell those individually or if they do it's too expensive to justify buying over the plug and o ring together. I'd keep reusing it but have one on hand in case it leaks. I had no idea GM was using this. It does look less bad than fords but that's not a compliment. And yeah the flow rate is crazy, I'd try to use a tall container to keep it from splashing as much.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the o-ring ends up being more expensive than the plug, which is stupid IMO.
 
MNgopher said:
Get a bigger drain pan. Problem solved.

I have the plastic plug (and pan) on my 2016 F150 with the 2.7. 130,000 miles with the original plug. No leaks (and no pan leaks either). Love not messing around with a wrench or socket wrench to get the plug off. One hand, easy peasy. Folks who break tabs and such on the Ford plugs generally are trying way to hard to force them...

No complaints here...
Click to expand...
Thanks for info. I have one of those 16 qt self contained pans, and it just can't drain into the pan fast enough.
 
MurkyAsparagus said:
Thanks for info. I have one of those 16 qt self contained pans, and it just can't drain into the pan fast enough.
Click to expand...

I've got a 14 quart or so, and the openings in it are just enough I can let her rip, and it won't overflow. The air vent is likely the real culprit on the speed though. One with a larger opening would be nice - I had one once upon a time!

The ford plug has an O-ring on it it - I look at mine each time, and it seems to be in good shape and is lubed with the oil when I drain the pan.
 
MNgopher said:
I've got a 14 quart or so, and the openings in it are just enough I can let her rip, and it won't overflow. The air vent is likely the real culprit on the speed though. One with a larger opening would be nice - I had one once upon a time!

The ford plug has an O-ring on it it - I look at mine each time, and it seems to be in good shape and is lubed with the oil when I drain the pan.
Click to expand...
I'll have to pay more attention to the air vent and such next time. Maybe I'll drill it out and 3D print a new bigger cap for it. How many oil changes on that gasket?
 
MurkyAsparagus said:
I've got 2 Gallon equivalent from Menards. 11 times out of 10 I make a mess transferring to a different container, even with an oil pump. Always something, from broken tubes to slippery hands, every single time.
Click to expand...
Yeah I was wondering if one with a spout would be the better one, without the spout I imagine it would do that.
 
Got away from closed in drain pans years ago - too much splash and restriction … Gotta transfer it to recycle in jugs where I am anyway …
 
Don't think it looks much different, or any better than the VW ones. Lots of folks reuse the plug with no leaks or other issues. Plugs (o-ring included) are not expensive at all, so could be replaced at every change if desired. I don't use them personally, because extractor.
 
Have one on my 2016 beemer 3 series. Gets replaced every time the oil is changed. A new one comes in the "kit" along with filter and "O" rings - Mann HU 816Z. Not had any issues, but the kit version is less available. The widely available non-kit version (816x) found at local auto stores requires you to purchase the plastic drain plug in addition to the kit for around $18 extra, special order, so costs more than the complete "kit" with filter. Crazy!
 
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