stopping leak

[poshman]

Hi all , I have changed oil in sons car but have noticed it seeping through drain plug and I dont want to tighten more so it looks like I will have to empty and refill.


Maybe I should have done it in the first place,but should I put a new washer on the plug or is there any kind of sealant I can buy from Halfords to put on the thread to stop it

cheers P M

 

[Vee239]

If it is seeping through under no pressure (engine not running) and the plug is tight then the plug must not be on straight.
Double check this first.

 

[AlF2008]

Maybe I should have done it in the first place,but should I put a new washer on the plug

you should always fit a new sump plug washer. they normally only cost pennies so its not worth skimping and ending up with a leak.

 

[wotan]

Hi all , I have changed oil in sons car but have noticed it seeping through drain plug and I dont want to tighten more so it looks like I will have to empty and refill.


Maybe I should have done it in the first place,but should I put a new washer on the plug or is there any kind of sealant I can buy from Halfords to put on the thread to stop it

cheers P M

You could try slackening it off a few turns, then wrap the exposed thread / gap with P.T.F.E tape (white plumbers tape)
then re-tighten drain plug, resist the temptation to overtighten the plug, stripped threads would cause more problems.

Wotan

 

[Stivino]

You're supposed to fit a new seal but in reality nobody does.
I have a spare sump plug for my car. (it's handy in case I drop the one I'm removing in the dirty oil bucket) When I change my oil I have the spare one ready with new seal fitted and that's the one that goes in.
You can either get a spare one and ready it for a quick change over, best done with a cold engine. Or get someone to keep their finger in the hole until you get the old one ready to go back in.
Clear as mud?