Uncomfortable with Oil Drain Plug Possible Overtightened Torque Need Help

[moonlightblue]

Hello everyone,

Just did the oil change at bmw g20 320i with a brand new (febi) plug and new copper washer as well, however I feel that I overtightened the plug.

I always use 1/2 size wrench with 17mm socket with being aware of using a 1/2 wrench.

So I tightened it in two steps and lightly tightened it. Then I just lightly tried to confirm it by slowly trying to tighten and it turned another quarter turn which I did not like.

I feel like I did not strip the drainpan (hopefully) but the bolt is at it s last limit before getting stripped as it felt hard when it turned another 1/4 turn after it was already as tight as the oil filter housing (approximately).

My question here is,

As long as there is no leak will it be smarter not to touch it until the next oil change?
OR will it get harder to get the plug later than sooner and is it better to get a new plug and washer from dealership and replace it tomorrow as it may get out easier?
OR is an extra 1/4 extra turn not a big deal after the plug was already lightly tight by pulling the wrench gently 2 times ?

Which one would you recommend? And if you recommend the second option, as my oil is already new and will be replacing just the plug is it easier to get the plug out on a totally cold engine than hot engine? So the oil that will be lost will also be minimum?

Look forward for your responses.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Fa24wrx]

Just leave it until time to change oil then have a torque wrench and torque to spec. Or get a fumoto style valve .

 

[Urshurak776]

You could leave it until next time. Check carefully for no leaks.

Recommend getting a torque wrench, but you're likely okay.

If oil isn't in yet, take it out, change copper gasket, put it in snug. Typical torque is like 25-30 foot pounds. No need to tighten more than that.

 

[Ursatdx]

I'd leave it be. Check for leaks. You'll have an answer next time you change it.
Bimmers have stout oil pans.
Might consider using an evacuator in the future or buy a torque wrench.

 

[moonlightblue]

Just leave it until time to change oil then have a torque wrench and torque to spec. Or get a fumoto style valve .

Thanks for the quick response. Is about extra 1/4 turn after it the washer was already crushed and snugged a big deal for bmw g20 drain bolt ?

 

[Fa24wrx]

Thanks for the quick response. Is about extra 1/4 turn after it the washer was already crushed and snugged a big deal for bmw g20 drain bolt ?

Probably not

 

[Urshurak776]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CSS7ZKMC?th=1

I have a couple really nice torque wrenches, but for oil changes, spark plugs, etc. this works great. $19

 

[moonlightblue]

I'd leave it be. Check for leaks. You'll have an answer next time you change it.
Bimmers have stout oil pans.
Might consider using an evacuator in the future or buy a torque wrench.

Thank you I feel like I tightened it around 35-40 nm and for bmw I think 25-30 nm is best as I feel by my hand. There is no leak since 1 day. Can there be leaks later after some weeks or months?

 

[Vercingetorix]

If it doesn’t leak buy an extractor and never touch it again.

 

[moonlightblue]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CSS7ZKMC?th=1

Thank you very much mate, I do several repairs that needs torque specs also sequence as ATF filter change, engine top cover lid gasket replacement, spark plug replacement etc. And I always do by hand and very rarely I feel uncomfortable this way.

I already have a little torque wrench and bought it for changing engine top cover lid gasket which required 10 NM torque and I setted it up to just to 10 NM and checked if I am exceeding or under even 1 mm from the 10 NM mark and bingo...while tighening one bolt I broke it..After that experience I tigheted everything by hand and stopped using the bolt breaker torque wrenches.

 

[Chris142]

Just leave it until time to change oil then have a torque wrench and torque to spec. Or get a fumoto style valve .

I stopped using a tq wrench. I had several leak that were fixed with a good grunt with a regular wrench

 

[moonlightblue]

If it doesn’t leak buy an extractor and never touch it again.

Thank you, and do you mean extractor for just in case for the next oil change (which will be after 6 or 7 months) ?

And won't it be harder to remove the bolt 7 months later than just a day later after it was tightened? Or it does not matter as the bolt is under oil all the time?

 

[Fa24wrx]

I stopped using a tq wrench. I had several leak that were fixed with a good grunt with a regular wrench

Never had an issue. Maybe your wrench was out of spec? I switched my wrx to fumoto but my dad's fleet diesel gets torqued

 

[Vercingetorix]

Thank you, and do you mean extractor for just in case for the next oil change (which will be after 6 or 7 months) ?

And won't it be harder to remove the bolt 7 months later than just a day later after it was tightened? Or it does not matter as the bolt is under oil all the time?

I had a stripped pan bolt forever. Junkyard oil pan. It didn’t leak and I never touched it again. I think I drove that way for like 10 years

 

[moonlightblue]

Never had an issue. Maybe your wrench was out of spec? I switched my wrx to fumoto but my dad's fleet diesel gets torqued

Yes probably out of spec. I stopped using it. I am good at feeling torques by my hand Normally after a good snug by two pulls I always overtigten maybe about only 20 degree extra turn which is really nothing only to be sure...

But Febi branded drain plugs probably are of soft metal and it turned about 45 degree and got really tight but I did not feel that the bolt got any weaker or loose.

These are positive sides I think but as I will hand the car to the owner and it is not my car I feel very bad and worried. I really feel that I tightened it an extra not even 45 degree (1/4 turn) than what it should be and is it really not too big deal for a oil drain plug? It was probably a bit less than even 45 degree but plug really felt tight and I had a feeling that at next oil change I would need to push it harder by care. I never go wrong with my feelings.

 

[Fa24wrx]

Yes probably out of spec. I stopped using it. I am good at feeling torques by my hand Normally after a good snug by two pulls I always overtigten maybe about only 20 degree extra turn which is really nothing only to be sure...

But Febi branded drain plugs probably are of soft metal and it turned about 45 degree and got really tight but I did not feel that the bolt got any weaker or loose.

These are positive sides I think but as I will hand the car to the owner and it is not my car I feel very bad and worried. I really feel that I tightened it an extra 45 degree (1/4 turn) than what it should be and is it really not too big deal for a oil drain plug?

Probably not a big deal

 

[moonlightblue]

Probably not a big deal

Thank you mate. I always question things when I fix things at car or anything. I always try to do as best as possible. I was aware that the washer was just crushed and the bolt was tight and plan was to turn it maybe just a milimeter to make sure that its tight but I turned maybe just under 1/4 turn.

Hope the head of the bolt wont fall down while driving? Or will break at next oil change while I ll be even very gently trying to loosen it?

Will it make a difference if I try to loosen it tomorrow and replace the bolt? If it will be removed easily then I will replace the bolt tomorrow.

 

[Fa24wrx]

Thank you mate. I always question things when I fix things at car or anything. I always try to do as best as possible. I was aware that the washer was just crushed and the bolt was tight and plan was to turn it maybe just a milimeter to make sure that its tight but I turned maybe just under 1/4 turn.

Hope the head of the bolt wont fall down while driving? Or will break at next oil change while I ll be even very gently trying to loosen it?

Will it make a difference if I try to loosen it tomorrow and replace the bolt? If it will be removed easily then I will replace the bolt tomorrow.

Don't mess with it

 

[Hirev]

I would just leave plug for now. Just check it in a month with a light pull using a box end wrench. I would not use a 1/2" ratchet & socket on an oil drain plug unless you have a very good feel from lots of experance with a torque wrench. It does not take much of a pull to hit 35 - 50 Ft LBS on a big 1/2" ratchet. For the next oil change I would have a new drain plug at home so you can compare the threads. If the used plug threads look much sharper than the old bolt threads it was over stressed. The china made 3/8 drive torque wrench in the 5 - 45 FT LBS range are ideal for torquing drain plugs, oil filters, and spark plugs. They are surprisingly accurate for this kind of stuff.

 

[BigCahuna]

I agree with the others that say ditch the 1/2 inch drive ratchet. Use a 3/8ths drive, and if you think your going to over tighten it, use your weaker hand to tighten it. You could find out what the torque spec is then again, don't go nuts tightening it.,,,