How often to change oil drain plug?

[zerosoma]

I've read it's a good idea once in awhile. I change mine/gasket about once every year or two years, I don't go by any particular advice just whenever I need to throw in an extra part in my cart to get free shipping or whatever, but is there a golden standard here?

 

[Quest]

If you torque your drain plug properly every time during oil change, your drain plug should last the life of your engine (or oil pan), period.

I have yet to strip one single drain plug in over 20yrs of servicing.

Q.

 

[cutter]

Only until you feel like you have rounded it.

 

[NO2]

Instant oil change places are notorious for stripping the plugs.

 

[DragRace]

No reason to change it unless the threads have been damaged/stripped.

 

[jcwit]

In almost 55 years of changing my own oil I have only changed my oil drain plugs on a couple of cars I purchased used and the head was rounded.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: DragRace
No reason to change it unless the threads have been damaged/stripped.


Or its a piece of potmetal that subaru decided was good enough (for one year only)

then then went back to nice ones.

2010 and earlier = good drain plug
2012+ =good drain plug 17mm I think.

2011 is cheapo 14mm Potmetal that rounds if you stare at it hard.

I also had a problem with the "'lifetime""
ford oil drain plugs with the built in rubber seal. It would squish at more than 10lb of torque but loosen if you didnt tighten it that much... eventually had to replace it.. at 18$ for the drain plug.

The subaru I went and bought a specific 6point side gripper socket for it.

I'll probably replace it with a newer model year one since they should interchange.

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: DragRace
No reason to change it unless the threads have been damaged/stripped.


Just to add as well,I've never torqued my oil drain plugs either.
Never had an issue on any vehicle.

 

[cmorr]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
In almost 55 years of changing my own oil I have only changed my oil drain plugs on a couple of cars I purchased used and the head was rounded.


+1 but less experienced, only 40 years

 

[901Memphis]

Never had to replace one even with 12 point sockets.

 

[Kuato]

Never replaced any of mine, either, since the 80s.

 

[timish]

I replaced both Jeeps drain plugs once..........with Fumoto valves!

 

[AHC]

Crush gasket on Subaru = every oil change
Plug on F150 = never

 

[zerosoma]

Never stripped one out. So I guess I'm fine. How about the gasket? does that need to be changed? I noticed one gasket that was falling apart so I replaced it.

 

[y_p_w]

I've bought a few Honda drain plugs at the dealer over the years. It was for my '95 Integra but it's the same part number. Still have one that hasn't been used and I'm pretty sure it'll fit on my wife's Civic. I was looking for some new parts and saw the drain plug sold online by a dealer, and it was something like $1.35. That's less than some people have paid for drain plug gaskets. I would have actually bought it if the shipping was less.

The thing I like about a new plug is that often the factory plug was painted over after installation. I'm not sure why, but that's the way with many cars. The gasket might need to be chipped off to separate it from the paint. I just like the look of a bare plug compared to the look of one that was painted and then removed several times. While the plug on my 2004 WRX is still in good working shape, it looks pretty bad because of all the scratches from dozens of oil changes.

 

[robshelton]

My drain plug is original after well over 100 oil changes. I did change the washer to a copper one and change it occasionally.

 

[bigjl]

I used to change the one in my Mondeo diesel every second change due to it having a built in rubber seal.

Otherwise as above when it gets damaged.

I hsve used crush washers and brass washers many times, just turning them round and replacing them if they looked too deformed.

Never had any leaks.

Don't think there is really any wrong answer on this as long as it is tightened up correctly and doesn't leak.

Some will say it is a bit of cheap insurance and i can't disagree with that view either

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: zerosoma
I've read it's a good idea once in awhile. I change mine/gasket about once every year or two years, I don't go by any particular advice just whenever I need to throw in an extra part in my cart to get free shipping or whatever, but is there a golden standard here?

In all the taxis going hundreds of thousands of miles, I have never once changed a drain plug. Now, as mentioned, if someone else gets their hands on your drain plug and strips something or rounds the head, that's another matter. I have bought vehicles where the head was rounded, so the plug gets replaced. Fortunately, I have never had to deal with stripped pan threads.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: Quest
If you torque your drain plug properly every time during oil change, your drain plug should last the life of your engine (or oil pan), period.

I have yet to strip one single drain plug in over 20yrs of servicing.

Q.


Same here, 35 years of changing my own oil & never replaced a drain plug!

 

[fdcg27]

I have never replaced a drain plug.
As long as you use a decent socket that isn't excessively worn, you won't do it any harm.
I've almost never replaced a crush washer either.