Leaking LN Magnetic Drain Plug!

[ZDCATC]

Originally Posted by piper6909

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?

They must be manufactured differently (maybe someone else can elaborate with facts because I have no clue). But they're shearing apart because people like me are using the wrong torque spec or none at all. Also in my case, who knows how much force the previous owners were using for the other 5 oil changes. Factory calls for 444in lbf, LN recommends almost half that (230in lbf). There should be no excuse though; it says "26Nm" on the plug lol

[10/10ths]

....is less than the OEM plug because the magnetic part inside the outer plug body can “spin” inside the plug body if you over torque it as I explained above.

The Magnet is not aluminum. The Plug is aluminum. You have two different metals and vastly different hardnesses.

So if you torque the magnetic plug to the same level as the OEM plug, the magnet inside the LN plug can break away from the outer ring and spin and you will leak oil.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

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?

From what we have seen, operator failure.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

From what we have seen, operator failure.

There has to be more to it. Maybe the LN plug is more finicky and less forgiving of the aforementioned operator error than the OE plug?

From what I've read on here, it seems that there's a very narrow window between not enough torque that the aluminum washer won't seal and too much torque that will strip the inside metal from the outer aluminum threads. That's just my observation.

[Qingdao]

… waaaaay to snipy; and I can't find the delete post icon...

[JFP in PA]

Oh, I see, it is always LN’s fault that people do not read or pay attention ................

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Oh, I see, it is always LN’s fault that people do not read or pay attention ................

Relax, JFP. I never said that.

I was just offering scenarios where the operator/installer, who may be well-intentioned, gets bad torque specs from the Porsche manual because unbeknownst to them, the aftermarket plug uses a much lower spec. And to eliminate that possibility, LN could probably have made a plug with similar torque specs.

And I'm also offering a counter-narrative to your prior assertion that it's always "operator failure".

So maybe the real answer is somewhere in between and the fault is shared by both LN and the operator. Happy?



EDIT: Here is an example of a magnetic oil plug with similar torque specs to OE. So it can be done:
https://www.fvd.net/us-en/FVD10717601/magnetic-drain-plug-996-997-986-987.html

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Relax, JFP. I never said that.

I was just offering scenarios where the operator/installer, who may be well-intentioned, gets bad torque specs from the Porsche manual because unbeknownst to them, the aftermarket plug uses a much lower spec. And to eliminate that possibility, LN could probably have made a plug with similar torque specs.

And I'm also offering a counter-narrative to your prior assertion that it's always "operator failure".

So maybe the real answer is somewhere in between and the fault is shared by both LN and the operator. Happy?



EDIT: Here is an example of a magnetic oil plug with similar torque specs to OE. So it can be done:
https://www.fvd.net/us-en/FVD10717601/magnetic-drain-plug-996-997-986-987.html

No, because all sorts of aftermarket companies make stuff for these cars that use different specs than factory; ARP for instance uses different specs for several of their fastener products because they work better at the ARP specs.

If you are going to use aftermarket parts, the operator needs to understand how they are different and act accordingly.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

No, because all sorts of aftermarket companies make stuff for these cars that use different specs than factory; ARP for instance uses different specs for several of their fastener products because they work better at the ARP specs.

If you are going to use aftermarket parts, the operator needs to understand how they are different and act accordingly.

So John, do you just “recognize” when there are different fasteners in place and adjust accordingly? Keeping in mind that it may not be obvious whose fastener it is? Just seems like a lot to keep track of. (I’m talking especially the second time around, when you’re not the one tightening that new fastener, when it’s now greasy and grungy and hard to id.)

Do most mechanics recognize LN drain plugs and know to back off on the torque applied?

And…do you use a torque wrench when you do them?

And…if not, are you gonna start?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Frodo

So John, do you just “recognize” when there are different fasteners in place and adjust accordingly? Keeping in mind that it may not be obvious whose fastener it is? Just seems like a lot to keep track of. (I’m talking especially the second time around, when you’re not the one tightening that new fastener, when it’s now greasy and grungy and hard to id.)

Do most mechanics recognize LN drain plugs and know to back off on the torque applied?

And…do you use a torque wrench when you do them?

And…if not, are you gonna start?

With fasteners, they are visually different, so it is obvious. As for the drain plugs, LN’s are not marked, while others are, so again it is obvious to an experienced tech.

In my shop, if you are not using an appropriate torque wrench, you won’t be working here very long. Every fastener and drain plug is torqued to specs, period.

[Goldenzrule]

Just installed my LN magnetic plug today. It had the torque specs marked right in the plug in NMs

[JayG]

And now the really important question..........


What oil are you using?

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by JayG

And now the really important question..........


What oil are you using?

We're 93 posts into this...who's ready for 93 more?

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by JayG

And now the really important question..........


What oil are you using?

It doesn't matter, 'cause if you torque the plug to the wrong spec you'll lose it all anyway!

[BFeller]

This conversation makes me miss my Guardian Plug in the oil pan. Wish I had another.....

[Rob175]

Can anyone confirm the stock (not the magnetic) torque spec. for the Boxster (98) oil drain plug.....I' read on one thread that it's 35 ft. lbs.

Seems a bit high, but then again not sure, so i thought others would know.....or send me to the proper reference source.

Thx

[ccjazz]

Originally Posted by Rob175

Can anyone confirm the stock (not the magnetic) torque spec. for the Boxster (98) oil drain plug.....I' read on one thread that it's 35 ft. lbs.

Seems a bit high, but then again not sure, so i thought others would know.....or send me to the proper reference source.

Thx

Both the Bentley manual and 101 Projects book specify 37 ft-lbs torque for the stock drain plug.

[Twin headlight Ernie]

I just changed the oil on my Subaru yesterday. The drain plug has a 17mm hex so I chucked it in my lathe to countersink a 3/8" OD magnet that I got from our local home improvement store. BTW: I like to add a small smear of liquid teflon on the crush washer at the base of the threads.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by Twin headlight Ernie

I just changed the oil on my Subaru yesterday. The drain plug has a 17mm hex so I chucked it in my lathe to countersink a 3/8" OD magnet that I got from our local home improvement store. BTW: I like to add a small smear of liquid teflon on the crush washer at the base of the threads.

That's a great idea! I guess the only downside is that it may weaken the plug and it could break? But I seriously doubt it because there should still be plenty of meat left on the plug. Did you use any kind of glue or was it a press fit?

BTW, regarding the crush washers, I re-use the ones on my Subarus all the time. Even the parts manager at the dealer once told me that I can get several uses out of one. I don't know if that necessarily applies to the Porsches, but I've done one oil change on mine and I re-used it without any issue. I'm thinking that such a low torque spec on the LN plug may be the primary cause of all these leaks everyone's having.