Big Problem _Oil Drain Plug

latief · Post by **latief** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 6:41 pm

I need some input guys ASAP, i was working on my engine and decided to do a last minute oil change. i've had a leaky oil plug for a while now, a couple of months back i took it to a shop and they installed an over sized plug in there. it says m14-15 on the plug. this thing still leaks, and today when i changed the oil i noticed how loose this thing is, it will tighten then go back to being loose again. i used a plastic gasket from autozone to attemp to stop the leak, but it still leaks, and i am nervous that i will be driving down the road and see a long line of oil behind me due to thing coming off......

now, i am not changing my oil pan right now for financial reasons and time issues, so i need a fix for this ASAP.

options:
1-over sized plug again 15-16 ( i don't know if there such thing, just guessing)

2-I've read about expanding rubber plugs, any one know about these?

3- Something like teflon tape or some pipe-joint sealers, lock-tite stuff ....or similar solutions,

feedback guys please, i thing i will fix this again tomorrow because the last thing i need now is to get a new engine......

thanks,

Wenuden · Post by **Wenuden** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:30 pm

I'd go with a high-temp locking thread sealer, and let it cure before refilling the engine with oil. Then, if planning on changing the oil pan next time you need an oil change, I'd cover the entire thing with high-temp rtv.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:54 pm

Those plastic gaskets suck. Thats my 2 cents for this thread.

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:59 am

Sounds like the expanding rubber plugs is what you are going to want, until you can get a new oil pan.

I can't find the one that I think is better, but it is about 3 inches long and it has a rubber seal with a threaded rod coming out of the seal. On the other end is a piece of metal that flips around and spins around the rod.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:50 am

Start shopping for a replacement oil pan now, to get ready for next time .....
The good news is, that the oil pan is very easy to remove and replace.

I imagine you can get a cheap replacement oil pan at a "U-Pull-It" type junkyard.

As for a larger "oversize" oil plug, I do not know....

You could conceivably drill and tap the oil drain hole to the next bigger oversize ..... BUT then you would need to get the proper size drill and tap (AND plug) .... More $$$$ spent.
It might actually cost you less to get a cheap used oil pan from a junkyard.

I've purchased used oil pans for $30-$40 here in IL./WI., so that gives you a ballpark ......

-Nick

neon02 · Post by **neon02** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:43 pm

hey i have the same thing if u search 02 neon oil pan on google i found some for 55 brand new. thats my 2 cents

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 3:19 pm

racer12306 wrote:Sounds like the expanding rubber plugs is what you are going to want, until you can get a new oil pan.

If you go this route, you'll probably need to get something to use as a sealer to help plug up the threaded area (what's left of it anyway), or else you will still leak ......

-Nick

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:31 pm

NickKo wrote:
racer12306 wrote:Sounds like the expanding rubber plugs is what you are going to want, until you can get a new oil pan.
If you go this route, you'll probably need to get something to use as a sealer to help plug up the threaded area (what's left of it anyway), or else you will still leak ......

-Nick

They will not leak, atleast the style that I described. I used to work at a Jiffy Lube, we used them a lot because of dumbasses. They do not leak and they do last quite a while. So if something happens you can use it for quite a number of oil changes, like 5+, without fear of them leaking.

latief · Post by **latief** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:42 pm

racer12306 wrote:
NickKo wrote:
racer12306 wrote:Sounds like the expanding rubber plugs is what you are going to want, until you can get a new oil pan.
If you go this route, you'll probably need to get something to use as a sealer to help plug up the threaded area (what's left of it anyway), or else you will still leak ......

-Nick
They will not leak, atleast the style that I described. I used to work at a Jiffy Lube, we used them a lot because of dumbasses. They do not leak and they do last quite a while. So if something happens you can use it for quite a number of oil changes, like 5+, without fear of them leaking.

can you tell me how to find it?

thanks,

Post by **racer12306** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:11 pm

They should be available at most auto parts stores.

I guess you could just go in and look for the universal drain plugs.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:34 pm

racer12306 wrote:
NickKo wrote:
racer12306 wrote:Sounds like the expanding rubber plugs is what you are going to want, until you can get a new oil pan.
If you go this route, you'll probably need to get something to use as a sealer to help plug up the threaded area (what's left of it anyway), or else you will still leak ......

-Nick
They will not leak, atleast the style that I described. I used to work at a Jiffy Lube, we used them a lot because of dumbasses. They do not leak and they do last quite a while. So if something happens you can use it for quite a number of oil changes, like 5+, without fear of them leaking.

That's good to know. I never knew that....
Thanks for the tip.

Would you remember what brand name these came from ??

-Nick

Post by **racer12306** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:05 pm

I can't remember exactly what brand, but it wouldn't surprise me if Help brand offered one.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:27 pm

Yep, they are in the Help/Motormite line

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:12 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSA ... dZViewItem

This is what the drain plug looks like

It is Motormite part number 65109.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 11:20 pm

You would be screwed if you unthreaded it all the way after you installed it. That would be a bitch to get back out! Definately a temporary fix.

latief · Post by **latief** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:29 am

occasional demons wrote:You would be screwed if you unthreaded it all the way after you installed it. That would be a bitch to get back out! Definately a temporary fix.

I agree with you, this will be only for one oil change, next time (if i keep the car) the oil pan will be replaces ..........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSA ... dZViewItem

This is what the drain plug looks like

It is Motormite part number 65109.

thanks Frank

will do this tomorrow, as i have already lost half a quart of oil since last saturday.........i think i will also grab me some yellow teflon tape, and expreimnet with the regular plug also...........

i will updat this thread once i get it done.......

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:26 pm

racer12306 wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UNIVERSA ... dZViewItem

This is what the drain plug looks like

It is Motormite part number 65109.

WAY Cool.
THANKS for posting this info.

Just in case anyone else might be needing this ......

-Nick

latief · Post by **latief** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:07 pm

Fixed the problem, no after market drain plugs or anything, just cleaned the area really well, and used some Teflon tape on the plug, seems to be holding up fine for now,,,

i really did not like the way that after-market plug looked like......

thanks for the advice everyone !!!:thumbup:

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:22 pm

latief wrote:Fixed the problem, no after market drain plugs or anything, just cleaned the area really well, and used some Teflon tape on the plug, seems to be holding up fine for now,,,

That is what I did with one of my Neons, the 1st time the oil drain plug started to strip out.

I knew that there was going to be no 2nd time, however....
So for the next oil change, I replaced the oil pan.

The teflon tape fix will "buy you some time".
I'd start looking for a replacement oil pan now, and get ready to swap it for next time.

-Nick

latief · Post by **latief** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:51 pm

NickKo wrote:
latief wrote:Fixed the problem, no after market drain plugs or anything, just cleaned the area really well, and used some Teflon tape on the plug, seems to be holding up fine for now,,,
That is what I did with one of my Neons, the 1st time the oil drain plug started to strip out.

I knew that there was going to be no 2nd time, however....
So for the next oil change, I replaced the oil pan.

The Teflon tape fix will "buy you some time".
I'd start looking for a replacement oil pan now, and get ready to swap it for next time.

-Nick

Yeah, this will definitely be my next step, except I'm having so many problems in my car right now, so this might involve an engine valve job, replacement, or even a new neon!!!

latief · Post by **latief** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:40 pm

Never mind, it leaked again,,,,,,