PSA: Stop ignoring the torque spec on drain plugs

Had a customer bring back an SUV with a cracked oil pan last week because the previous guy just cranked the plug down by feel. I started using a torque wrench on every single drain plug and haven't had a leak or strip since - anyone else given up on the hand-tight method?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliver_fisher11d ago

Yeah my buddy stripped his Subaru pan doing exactly that.

umak8911d ago

Read a thread on r/MechanicAdvice where someone said they use a torque wrench and anti-seize on every single oil pan bolt now. @oliver_fisher is right that it's easy to screw those up especially on aluminum pans. I even saw a video where a guy showed how the threads get gall up if you don't use any lube. At least with a new filter you get a fresh gasket but those pan bolts are just asking for stripped threads. Always better to hand tighten everything and not force it.