Leaking LN Magnetic Drain Plug!

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by 1PorscheBoxster986

Order 50-100 pieces and you're set for the lifetime of your Boxster ownership . It sounds like you guys will forget the new o ring in the oil filter if it didn't come with it already.

I change the oil on mine once, maybe twice a year at most. If I bought even only 50 washers I'd never live long enough to use them all.

Also, they're re-usable. I never had a leak re-using them, and if at some point oil would start to seep out, I'd replace it at the next oil change. Having said that, if I had one handy during the oil change I'd replace it. But it's just not that high on my priority list, so it's not on my mind when I buy oil and filters.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by piper6909

I change the oil on mine once, maybe twice a year at most. If I bought even only 50 washers I'd never live long enough to use them all.

Also, they're re-usable. I never had a leak re-using them, and if at some point oil would start to seep out, I'd replace it at the next oil change. Having said that, if I had one handy during the oil change I'd replace it. But it's just not that high on my priority list, so it's not on my mind when I buy oil and filters.

Precisely.
Besides, buying crush rings for the next couple dozen oil changes for a 20 year old car with 100+K on the odo just seems presumptuous, risky even. Why tempt fate? Allow me my harmless superstitions. I think our sponsor’s doing just fine without me buying a stack of his crush rings.

[10/10ths]

I have the LN magnetic drain plug.

I have put 40,000 miles and 10 oil changes on it.

Zero leaks.

I have a $400 Snap-on torque wrench and use it. Every time.

I use a new crush washer. Every time.

You bought a Porsche.

And you complain about the cost of using a new crush washer every oil change?

You bought the wrong car. It’s not a Corolla.

Spend the money on crush washers for crying out loud.

Washers are cheap. Engines are expensive.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

I have the LN magnetic drain plug.

I have put 40,000 miles and 10 oil changes on it.

Zero leaks.

I have a $400 Snap-on torque wrench and use it. Every time.

I use a new crush washer. Every time.

You bought a Porsche.

And you complain about the cost of using a new crush washer every oil change?

You bought the wrong car. It’s not a Corolla.

Spend the money on crush washers for crying out loud.

Washers are cheap. Engines are expensive.

Oh this is just getting silly. You’re clearly not paying attention.

It’s not a matter of being “cheap.” It’s a matter of getting half way through an oil change and realizing you don’t happen to have a new washer. An item that experience has proven is not particularly necessary. The car’s elevated, the old oil’s out. Now I’m going to stop and order a new crush ring? That’s just being ridiculous. In the extreme.

I bought a Boxster because that’s what I wanted (not a Corolla). And 14 years/80k miles later it’s holding up quite nicely, thank you. Including the “expensive” engine.

And regarding the use of a torque wrench on every nut/bolt you have to wrench on, read Pedro’s response regarding the “need” for torque wrenches (Post #15):


Motor mount re-assembly question

Originally Posted by Gilles

Frodo please don't worry, I have plenty of crush washers and can send some your way

I'll take you up on that!
Whether or not I'll be able to find them when I tackle the next oil change is another matter altogether!

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Frodo

Precisely.
Besides, buying crush rings for the next couple dozen oil changes for a 20 year old car with 100+K on the odo just seems presumptuous, risky even. Why tempt fate? Allow me my harmless superstitions. I think our sponsor’s doing just fine without me buying a stack of his crush rings.

Frodo please don't worry, I have plenty of crush washers and can send some your way

[1PorscheBoxster986]

50pcs does seem a lot for the average driver Piper . My point guys was buy a bunch and you won't forget it for those that still don't get it.

Frodo, you wouldn't have mention that you felt a little embarrassed if you didn't feel one way or another about re-using the crush washers that many times. There's nothing wrong with properly torque-ing down things as it was intended by Porsche. I also have plenty of crush washers if needed Frodo including the Boxster S ones I accidentally bought .

Having said that, we haven't heard back from the NJBray about his magnetic plug issue. Is it the crush washer who we turned our focus on? What is the issue?

[Frodo]

Good points I suppose, but I’d be curious how many people grab the torque wrench every time they wrench anything. Acknowledging Pedro’s point that there are times when they are definitely called for, developing a “feel” for how tight to tighten nuts/bolts is nevertheless a handy skill. There are places where it is virtually impossible to use a torque wrench—it just won't fit. And regarding crush washers, I never suggested that they last forever. (Nor did piper, far as I can tell.)

In any case, this seems to be working out well: if these offers keep rolling in I’ll not have to worry about ever buying one again!

[78F350]

All of you crush washer re-users disgust me. It's called a crush washer because it compresses and deforms to create the seal when you tighten the plug to the correct torque. One time use and then dispose.

I have never been in the middle of an oil change and then suddenly realized that I was changing the oil and needed to gather the supplies to do it. I remove that plug with planning and intent. How do you people even make it out of bed in the morning? Does your head hit the floor before feet?

I'm gonna start listing 1,500 mile oil and 'used once' crush washers for sale on eBay. It seems that there is a market.
:dance:

[piper6909]

This is getting as ridiculous as an IMSB discussion.

Couple points and I'm done:
1: My Subaru parts manager told me crush washers are re-usable.
2: I've been re-using mine for over 10 years in my Subarus (Occasionally using new washers) and going on 2 on my Boxster with NO leaks.
3: If any of them happen to begin leaking, I'll replace the crush washer. (And if it does leak, it won't be a gushing leak. It'll be a slow occasional drip, so to say that you're risking your expensive motor is nothing more than hogwash. Only someone who has fallen out of bed head-first too many times would say or believe that. )

[Frodo]

Two in a row!!

[maytag]

y'all are killin' me here......

Like others here, I bet I've changed crush-washers on oil-pans maybe a dozen times in my lifetime... and that's invariably been because I LOST IT IN THE DRAINED OIL.
I've reused literally hundreds of them.

Now, a crush-washer-under-pressure, like on a banjo-bolt or other similar installation, yeah, I'm MUCH more finicky about those. Many years ago, I bought an assortment and stuck it on the shelf. I Literally have a lifetime supply of crush-washers on the shelf, but I still reuse the crush-washer on the oil-pan.... until it gets lost.

And can we stop being disgusted with each other?
There are so many things dividing our society these days, let's not let crush-washers be one of them. Let's save that disgust for politics and face-masks.


https://www.amazon.com/DYWISHKEY-540Pcs-Automotive-Aluminum-Assortment/dp/B07NHH8JNK/ref=sr_1_3?crid=257AJ8CX31KHY&dchild=1&keywords=crush+washer+assortment&qid=1595868466&sprefix=crush+washer+ass%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3

You're welcome.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by maytag

And can we stop being disgusted with each other?
There are so many things dividing our society these days, let's not let crush-washers be one of them. Let's save that disgust for politics and face-masks.

Once again, Maytag. You're the voice or reason. I only replied to the initial comment. I should have let it go but it's not in my nature But I'll extend a peace offering to 78F350. I hope he could tell by the emoji that I was joking.

PS: Those washers in the link you sent don't look like crush washers, they look like flat washers.

[maytag]

Originally Posted by piper6909

PS: Those washers in the link you sent don't look like crush washers, they look like flat washers.

a rose by any other name.....

an aluminum flat washer IS a crush washer. intended-or-not, haha.

I just did a quick search and posted the first hit. pick your own damned assortment!

hahahaha.

And yes, extend that olive branch. 78F350 is absolutely one of the "good guys" around here. watch how quietly and with little drama he goes about helping the forum members. He never asked me for a pat on the back, but I'ma give-em up anyway.

[Qingdao]

Originally Posted by maytag

Now, a crush-washer-under-pressure, like on a banjo-bolt or other similar installation, yeah, I'm MUCH more finicky about those. Many years ago, I bought an assortment and stuck it on the shelf. I Literally have a lifetime supply of crush-washers on the shelf, but I still reuse the crush-washer on the oil-pan.... until it gets lost.

Pressure and no pressure (head pressure of less than 15cm is no pressure) 100% different scenarios. I agree.

I ALWAYS use new flat copper or aluminum washers on brake fittings. Oil fittings... sometimes.

I heard an old hillbillie tell me one time you can anneal the copper back into shape and re-use a copper washer. But copper washers like cotter pins are so cheap and plentiful why not just buy a new one. I guess if I was stranded in a desert I could use that information???

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Qingdao

Pressure and no pressure (head pressure of less than 15cm is no pressure) 100% different scenarios. I agree.

I ALWAYS use new flat copper or aluminum washers on brake fittings. Oil fittings... sometimes.

I heard an old hillbillie tell me one time you can anneal the copper back into shape and re-use a copper washer. But copper washers like cotter pins are so cheap and plentiful why not just buy a new one. I guess if I was stranded in a desert I could use that information???

Yes you can anneal copper washers.
Heat to cherry read and quench in water.

You can anneal aluminum washers.
blacken with a magic marker.
heat just until the magic marker burns off.
Air cool room temp.

Working copper or aluminum work hardens both.
To the point where they become brittle and crack.
Annealing them takes both back to there normal malleable state

There are times when you just can't buy what your looking for.
maybe a washer of a certain size and thickness.

[tonythetiger]

ive got my click torque wrenches and they are necessary, plus this adaptor is awesome and makes getting the right torque too easy to NOT do it.
I have the 3/8 and the 1/2:

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-ARM602-4-Digital-Adapter-4-147-6/dp/B004VYURT0

I have forgotten the crush washers many times, never and issue.

[ZDCATC]

Originally Posted by njbray

8 days ago I changed my oil and decided to use a brand new LN magnetic drain plug as my old one (18 months old Ln plug) was a little oily but not dripping.
I used the washer it came with it and tightened to 19 foot pounds as per instructions.
SO... It is now leaking and dripping oil on my garage floor! I’m very annoyed as I now have to drain the new DT 40 oil and replace plug.
I will not be using LN plugs again as I don’t think they are fit for purpose or maybe it's the fault of the washer they ship with it. This says it is the 'New improved' version too!
Anyone else had this problem?

The same thing happened to me when I first got my Boxster and changed the oil. I used a new Porsche crush washer and 444 in lbf (not a fancy torque wrench, 3/8" drive, 960in lbf max. It was an LN magnetic plug. In hindsight I should've looked up LN's torque specs but at the time I assumed it was the same as factory).

I tightened the LN plug by hand, then with a normal socket wrench until I felt a little resistance, then went in with my torque wrench. But I noticed the torque wrench wasn't clicking and I wasn't getting an increase in resistance as the plug tightened. Then I noticed that the threaded part had sheared off of the head and was spinning deeper into the oil pan as I tightened. The remaining oil started to drip out. Thankfully the previous owners kept the original factory drain plug in a parts bin. The LN plug had been on the car for 15,000 miles and 6 oil changes. I'll post pics if I can find them on my old phone.

If the same thing is happening to you, I would not tighten the plug as it is already shearing.

update: the LN plug that broke was purchased from Pelican Parts in April 2011. Part# LN-106-07. I recall the plug needing a different size and/or type bit (not the 8mm hex like stock). The more I think of it, I don't think the torque spec was written on the head. I feel like I would've seen that and changed my torque setting. I knew some kind of aftermarket magnetic plug was installed and I later noticed the purchase of the plug was documented in the car's logbook so there's still no excuse for me applying the wrong torque. I'm confident the owner who purchased the plug torqued it properly for oil changes 1 and 2. But changes 3 through 6 probably left the plug no chance of surviving based on the mixed bag of people who performed those oil changes.

Here's the LN plug:

I didn't think to take any other pictures (even after it broke)

[piper6909]

So I'm assuming the original drain plug is steel, vs the LN which is aluminum?

If that's the case, for those who want a magnetic plug, why not just put a disc magnet on top of the original plug?

They put magnets in tranny pans all the time, but those are made of steel and these oil pans are made of aluminum. If the original plug is steel, then a disc magnet should hold on it just fine.

Has anyone tried it?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

So I'm assuming the original drain plug is steel, vs the LN which is aluminum?

If that's the case, for those who want a magnetic plug, why not just put a disc magnet on top of the original plug?

They put magnets in tranny pans all the time, but those are made of steel and these oil pans are made of aluminum. If the original plug is steel, then a disc magnet should hold on it just fine.

Has anyone tried it?

The original plug is aluminum, and the use of a steel plug in an aluminum sump cover is asking for trouble.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

The original plug is aluminum, and the use of a steel plug in an aluminum sump cover is asking for trouble.

Makes sense. But I thought the LN requires a lower torque than the OE Plug. If both the original and LN plugs are aluminum, why do the LN plugs spec such a lower torque and why are they stripping?