oil plug gaskets

[mjoekingz28]

I'm having trouble getting a good seal at the oil pan. Everytime I change the oil I notice the pan is wet.

I used to use the nylon washers and while they would come off very easy after the first removal, worrying me that the plug might have backed out, they gave me a good seal until I got the the last one in the pack. So then I tried copper. It leaked and I dont see why it wouldn't since it was so hard it couldn't conform. Now most recently I got the metal and rubber one and yes, a wet oil pan.

I make sure to wipe the oil plug hole with a rag to free debris, but it seems I'm doing something wrong. Could it be I'm over-torquing?

 

[The_Jeff]

All my saturns have this dampness as well.

The stock drain plug has a washer-ish oversized head with rubber/silicone gasket with a thicker outer "donut", for the uninitiated.

Are you 100% sure it's not pan "gasket" (RTV) seepage? Oil often comes from above on these things.

 

[Cressida]

I also tried the nylon and copper seals and neither worked for me.

I have found that just using a regular black O ring works as good as anything. (I think it is Nitrile) I snug it down and it doesn't leak a drop.

 

[pcoxe]

Teflon plumbing tape wrapped around the base of the threads can't hurt. I've done it many times.