I did a boo boo. The last OCI, I installed a Fram Sure Drain plug on my '04 Freestar. (I had one on my car, and I like it.) I didn't have enough room to use my torque wrench, so I just used a 3/8" rachet to tighten the Sure Drain plug (I always use a 3/8" rachet to tighten the OEM plug). Apparently, I used too much force, and it stripped the threads. I left it on, because it seemed pretty tight still. Now I can feel oil leaking around the drain plug (it's not enough to leak on garage floor yet). Here's my questions:
1. Do you think I stripped the threads on the plug, or my oil pan? (I used the same rachet I always do, and not any more force).
2. Should I drain the oil now -- into a clean 5 Qt. container, and install the OEM plug to see if it tightens? Or should I leave it until next OCI?
3. If I did strip the pan, do you think I can install the OEM plug, and have it changed under warranty? I also have a leak around the OEM tranmission gasket -- which I'd like to take it in for (others have had this problem).
Thanks in advance.
1. Do you think I stripped the threads on the plug, or my oil pan? (I used the same rachet I always do, and not any more force).
2. Should I drain the oil now -- into a clean 5 Qt. container, and install the OEM plug to see if it tightens? Or should I leave it until next OCI?
3. If I did strip the pan, do you think I can install the OEM plug, and have it changed under warranty? I also have a leak around the OEM tranmission gasket -- which I'd like to take it in for (others have had this problem).
Thanks in advance.