drain plug gasket

Topic: drain plug gasket (Read 1774 times) previous topic - next topic

drain plug gasket

April 21, 2016, 02:06:36 AM

Stupid question, I noticed a bit more of an oil leak then normal today. Jacked the car up saw it leaking on the front drain plug. When I tried to tighten it, it was plenty tight so I pulled it out and the gasket was broken in peices. The local parts store says it doesn't have any, but I'm sure there is something in the dorman/help section. My question is, what was the old gasket made of? When I do a google search I get everything from a rubber covered metal gasket, nylon, composite fiber, copper crush and a regular old rubber gasket. I just wanna know what should have been on there to begin with.

The old one was very hard and felt like plastic, but I could see it being really old rubber as well. Worst case I'll just get the whole drain plug for $5 it won't kill me

drain plug gasket

Reply #1 – April 21, 2016, 10:51:26 AM

To answer my own question, I bought a 5 pack of washers. There was a clear one, copper, aluminum, steel with rubber on each side and black hard plastic one.

I tried the black plastic one first, it seemed to be the most right, but still leaked and deformed badly. I wouldn't re-use this one. Then I tried the metal with rubber one, also leaked about the same, and deformed a bit but looked reusable. The copper one leaked about the same as no gasket, I didn't try the aluminum one, and the clear plastic one seemed to seal the best.

The front of my oil pan is all banged up and my plug actually had a flat spot, taking out two of the six sides of the bolt head. Strangely it is not the lowest point of the car, so someone or me must have banged it all up on rocks or something. Every hole was packed full of dirt on the underside of the engine. I think someone liked to jump this car or dirt roads before I got it. The gas tank also had dirt packed in all around it when I swapped the pump.

drain plug gasket

Reply #2 – April 21, 2016, 11:09:59 AM

Well I'm late but I believe the original were nylon...

I've had same issue on my truck and bought a pack of all same black plastic washers that still leaked... BUT after fully heated I tightened again and leak stopped... Probably have to go through routine again with it's spring change... Like all my vehicles, unless something starts dragging once a year is all I'm crawling under them...

drain plug gasket

Reply #3 – April 22, 2016, 01:47:14 AM

Yea I've seen the rubber lined metal gasket and those look like they will work good

The bolt with the actual oring don't work too well, they seal good the first time around but after its removed once the oring doesn't seal as its already formed to the flat on the pan

I've had good luck with the plastic/nylon ones
Usually come on Dorman oil plugs and are light blue in color

drain plug gasket

Reply #4 – April 22, 2016, 05:50:08 PM

I've been using the yellow/white nylon gaskets without issue for years.

drain plug gasket

Reply #5 – April 22, 2016, 07:35:09 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I may replace the drain plug. The front of the oil pan is all smashed in but the threaded part is still okay, as well as the sealing surface. I developed a leak already and I think it is the "gasket" again. I just really don't want to end up swapping in an oil pan. Its almost as much work as a motor swap, and I'd be really tempted to try to get my motor built up over the time and effort of an oil pan.