RTV for GM drain plug?

[The Critic]

Have a 96 Saturn SL2 with one of those GM engine oil drain plugs that use an o-ring (that sits inside a groove) as a gasket.

I always place a new gasket (paper) over this o-ring and replace it at every oil change. I had been using the original o-ring up until the last oil change, but somehow, this time the o-ring is damaged (missing some parts).

Can I safely use RTV from Permatex to "replace" this o-ring? I'd rather not have to go to the dealership to get a new one.

Thanks.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Just go to NAPA and get a new drain plug it should have said o-ring...better yet go to a quickie lube and tell 'em you need a new drain plug they have every drain plug, gasket, o-ring, etc. known to man...they can sell easily sell a customer and knew drain plug for an easy up sale...it's easy because they pre-round it before showing it to the customer...

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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I always place a new gasket (paper) over this o-ring and replace it at every oil change.

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Don't do that!

Quote:

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Can I safely use RTV from Permatex to "replace" this o-ring?

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No! Life is hard enough without doing whacky stuff like that.


Go to NAPA and get the correct Drain Plug Seal. After you install the new seal into the drain plug, coat it with clean engine oil. Or you can get the Whole Drain Plug with the seal already in it.

 

[Kestas]

I'm curious to what damaged the original drain plug. Make sure to inspect the mating surface on the pan before installing a new drain plug.

 

[porcupine73]

If it's just a normal o-ring, harbor freight has several o-ring assortment kits in various materials including Viton for not too much $. Or better hardware stores will have an assortment of o-rings that can be bought individually.

 

[bcossa2001]

Go to Quickoildrainvalve.com and get a replacement ball valve instead of a plug. Everytime you change the oil you turn the valve instead of unscrewing the drain plug. Cost around $20.00.

 

[alreadygone]

Merkava4's dead on. New replacement o-ring gasket from just about anywhere, NAPA,AZ,AAP,OReilly,Home Depot,Lowes, and on and on. An o-ring is an o-ring. RTV (at least in this application) is nightmare about to happen!

Bob

 

[Merkava_4]

I should probably add that this particular seal is a flat nitrile washer an not an o-ring; as evident in the link.

Just for future reference, o-rings available at hardware stores are only compatible with water and not petroleum based fluids. Sometimes I'll go to an industrial hydraulic supply house for automotive type o-rings.

 

[RyanHeo]

Can I use RTV for valve cover gasket?
96' Infiniti I30.
Thanks.

 

[porcupine73]

For o-rings compatibility all depends on the material. Like Viton is good for oil, but poor for water. But neoprene is good for water but poor for oil. McMaster has a nice chart.

 

[mazduh30]

I agree, just get a new oil ring or replace the plug. Just be too much of a problem to use the rtv, set up time, etc., etc. For a quick fix or emergency I would use the RTV.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

When I started changing oil on a '94 Saturn a few years ago, it looked like someone had done exactly what you're asking about--what seemed like a gasket was actually black RTV that lasted a few changes before coming apart. A replacement plug from Autozone leaked, and so did one from NAPA. The NAPA plug was silver, so I'm not sure it was the same as the one linked above.

I finally found a 3-pack of gaskets like the one in Merkava 4's post, at PepBoys. They are Oil-Tite brand #65327, in a black and yellow package. They aren't as durable as a stock-type "built-in" gasket. You might be able to use one twice if you don't overtighten.

 

[Merkava_4]

See, this is the reason why I normally stay out of Critic's threads: He started this thread 2 days ago and still hasn't answered back. He could've at least dropped a line and told me to go to [censored].

Like I said earlier, going to NAPA would be the easiest route; especially when someone takes the time to get you the part numbers . . .

 

[The Critic]

Really sorry. I just kind of forgot about this thread.

I appreciate all of your help and will take your advice and get a replacement from NAPA.

Thanks!

 

[kelpie]

Sometimes the dealer is the same if not cheaper than NAPA on some parts. You may be surprised.

 

[BGK]

Quote:

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Go to Quickoildrainvalve.com and get a replacement ball valve instead of a plug. Everytime you change the oil you turn the valve instead of unscrewing the drain plug. Cost around $20.00.

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I've used their valves for around 20 years on various cars. Unless there is a clearance issue, I recommend them for any vehicle they are available for.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Yes, You might be able to "Jerry Rig" it with RTV. If it is like the one on my wifes Buick it is a flat pillow like gasket made out of rubber.Personelly I wouldonly do that to get me buy until I could get to AutoZOne or the like and pick up a new drain plug. They range from $2-$6 per drain plug and will have the right gasket built in if the OEM one had it built in.

 

[Shannow]

I've seen (and then used because it was on a new to me car) RTV used to hold the sump plug on an engine with pretty well stripped threads.

Bought the car, went to do oil change, and found teh plug sealed/held in with RTV.

Worked well enough, but I didn't want it like that. Installed oversized plug.

 

[JustinH]

A new plug is like 2 bucks at napa, I would just buy a new one instead of monkeying around.