Oil Leak from drain plug head?
 

Hey guys,

I recently did an oil change on my car using a new crush washer. Historically I've been in the boat of reusing it (even dating back to my older subarus) without any issues. For some reason I decided this time that I wanted to change the washer and sure enough I have a leak (1-2 drops per hour). I think I followed the same steps as I usually do, or so I think.

I used a torque wrench 1/2" drive and I didn't realize that it doesn't click at lower torque settings, so when I initially tightened it, I'm guessing I went maybe about a half a turn or a full turn after what it was supposed to be. So my first thought is that I overtorqued the drain plug and/or damaged the threads. Upon closer review, I notice that the oil is coming from the drain plug head (hex part? sorry not good with mechanical terms), as opposed to where the washer is. Also, I'm not sure if my eyes are playing tricks, but it almost looks like the flat part of the drain plug that sits against the washer is caved in, or concave.

Could it possibly be that I overtorqued the drain plug to cave it in, and that's the source of the leak? One of the photos shows where I've wiped the oil off, and the other photo shows the oil forming.

TLDR: Used new crush washer for first time changing oil. Think I may have overtorqued the drain plug. Oil appears to be originating from the middle part of the drain plug.

https://imgur.com/v0pxSPD
https://imgur.com/ElWaJD7

time for a fumoto f108sx valve!

https://imgur.com/c3lakSy
https://imgur.com/zabJIJI
https://imgur.com/c3lakSy
https://imgur.com/zabJIJI

i have a bit of oil seepage in mine too. i use a new crush washer every time. i think im going to get a new plug. i just put out a video with that and a seal seepage as "bonus" footage too

Think you answered your own problem, stripped thread.

If your going to use a torque wrench on small bolts use a 1/4 or hand torque but hand near the head of the ratchet.

Learnt the hard way too using torque wrenches sometimes its not worth using them.

You have a link? Never knew a bolt could have seepage. I did order the fumoto valve. But I might just wait til I’m due to Install it because I don’t want to drain and refill.

Thing is the previous oil change I did with the old washer I seemed to remember it clicking. And no leak.

your car is 6 years old so how many times have you screwed and unscrewed it? its probably wearing out. mines 3 years and starting to wear out and i always torque it to spec with a new washer. oil seeps you cant not avoid it

Oh, I suggest you get a new drain plug and a new crush washer.

Smear a little gasket seal on the threads of the drain plug, place the new crush washer, tighten with an open ended wrench till the crush washer is crushed, then tighten 1/4 to 1/2 more turns, till it is "drain plug tight".

Save your torque wrench for tightening down head bolts.

Bubba learnt me how to do that.


humfrz

Some bright spark at the stealership rounded the corners off my drain bolt , so it is good practice to replace the drain bolt after seven years of oil changes anyway.
With my ocd i use a torque wrench on everything.

Looking at your photos, that is not the correct oil drain plug. The correct plug has a large flanged surface below the head that seals against the crush washer. It should look like this

https://www.subaruforester.org/attac...24-jpg.153689/

What you appear to have is a conventional bolt and an oversized washer. Little wonder it doesn't seal.

Actually, you might be right. I used to get my first few oil changes at a local shop and I remember having some issues with a slight leak that they ended up fixing. I guess they may have changed the drain plug without telling me... Anyway, I ordered the fumoto valve so I'll be replacing it anyway.

Good eye - :eyebulge:


humfrz