Leaking LN Magnetic Drain Plug!
 

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?http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1595720588.jpg

Maybe the washer has a flaw . Much more likely than the plug but anything is possible . Mine doesn't leak and I have changed oil at least four times since installing . I do use a new washer each time.

How confident are you in the calibration of your torque wrench?

I think I have been using the same one for ten + years. I have not thought or had reason to replace it

Pull the drain plug with the motor running. IIRC Raby said you could drive with a hole in your oil pan and no oil would drain out.

Then again I could be completely wrong and my memory may be failing

I’ve installed literally a couple hundred of these, not one leaked. They are a well made product.

There are a number of things that can affect the accuracy. Not backing off the spring in storage, dropping it over the years. If it is a high limit wrench 250 lbs, using it at 19 lbs it will probably not be as accurate. There are a number of YouTube videos on how to test and correct a wrench yourself.

Yes of course torque wrench calibration...... I will check DIY options ........but I was actually referring the mag plug itself.

I have never replaced mine or even thought it was necessary. Is this a common practice???

I never use a torque wrench on an oil plug. I just snug it up by feel. Is this the first time you changed the oil on the car, or is it just the first time for this new plug? If it's the latter, just tighten it up as you normally have done in past oil changes. Before pulling it completely, you may simply try snugging it up a bit more and see what happens. If it still leaks, there must be a problem with the washer or the plug. Like Rex and others have said, it could also be bad calibration on your torque wrench or even try using a lower limit (smaller) torque wrench. Like Rex said, lower torques aren't very accurate on bigger torque wrenches. Especially on click-type wrenches. You'll notice that the lower you go in torque, the less spring resistance you get. That tells you the spring isn't doing much so it's not as accurate.

They don't come with a magnetic plug from the factory, so that's the only reason I can see for replacing the plug. Unless the threads get janked up for some reason, but if that were the case, you'd most likely be replacing the pan as well.

I don’t have a magnetic plug, just the standard Porsche plug, but I’m curious as to why only 19 ftlbs? The standard plug calls for 35 ftlbs.

That is the torque spec recommendation Paul for the magnetic drain plugs. If you over-torque it then you risk stripping the head leading you down a rabbit hole. The factory torque spec is 37 ft-lbs. The magnetic plug shares the same torque specs as the factory oil filter housing.

I purchase a generic magnetic plug a while back but I didn't use it. I don't recall seeing a crush washer with it. I'm curious from those that are using it. Are you using factory crush washers with these mag plugs?

Interesting. Just brain storming here but I wonder with the lower torque spec if the crush washer is not doing it’s job if the washer is for the plug with the higher torque spec. Maybe the mag plug needs a ‘softer’ crush washer to make the seal @ 19 ftlbs.

I've got this on both my 986 and 987, 19 ft/lb plus just a little touch extra for both with OEM washers, no leaking on mine but I have heard of leaking on others. If it was me I would add just a touch of extra tightening but my guess would be maybe a spec of dirt or something around the washer.

Haven't checked on exactly how old mine is, but it's gotta be similar to jaykay's.


Yeah, this has been my approach as well. I had never had a drop of oil from my Boxster in the 14 years I had owned her (excluding the now-fixed RMS seal, which was so miniscule that it never amounted to a 'drop' that actually hit the floor). Then, after the last oil change, I noticed a very few drops over the next week or so. I just tweaked it a bit tighter and haven't had a problem since. Part of my issue (embarrassed to admit, since they're dirt cheap) is that I'd been re-using the crush washer—probably 4 or 5 times. (Have never once had a problem with that practice.) I'll definitely replace it next time.

Regarding swapping out the plug without draining oil, you can have a helper apply vacuum via shop vac to oil fill in trunk while you swap out bolt. Little to no oil should come out the drain plug. I’ve done this before to get oil sample for analysis without having to worry about draining all the oil. We didn’t have shop vac form a complete seal over the oil fill line but rather regulated the vacuum by hovering the vacuum near the orifice. Good luck!

So...what did you decide to do? :confused:

Not having ever used a torque wrench on an oil plug, I can't imagine draining all that expensive oil without trying it. I think you really have to crank pretty hard to strip these out (maybe someone else with a differing experience will chime in here). When I had my issue (last time I changed the oil), I just turned it the tiniest amount further and that did the trick.

If you do drain the oil, I would think you could catch it in a clean container and re-use it.

Don't be embarrassed, I do the same! HAHA! Even on my Subarus! In fact, the parts guy at the Subaru dealer told me they can be reused. To me it's not about the cost. For some reason I tend to get everything else, but forget the crush washer until I'm halfway into the oil change. I haven't had any leaks either.

EXACTLY!
(I basically got lazy and didn't bother to explain...but typically that's exactly what happens to me! And probably a lot of other people too..)

Thanks Steve for confirming that OEM washers work with the magnetic plug. I'll consider using it on my next oil change. I could see why people hand tighten the magnetic plug especially at 19 ft-lbs. I do the same with the oil filter housing. But at 37 ft-lbs with the factory drain plug I will use the torque wrench. I know others that just hand tighten it like you guys; mag plug or factory.

Crush washers have to be the cheapest Porsche item you can buy. It's a filler item on Pelican Parts for free shipping. 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.

Not likely.

We've learned, through time and experience, that crush washers are, by and large, re-usable. That makes them easy to blow off when purchasing parts. I use (and have for many years have used) the spin-on oil filter adapters. So I just buy spin-on oil filters at the local O'Reilly Auto Parts store. Haven't checked, but I suspect they don't stock crush rings for Boxsters (or any other P-car). So I buy the filter, don't worry about the crush ring. It's worked for years, though the various cars I've done oil changes on through the decades. Over all that time I've dripped maybe a dozen drops of oil, and that only with this past oil change in the Box.

When I order parts online, or happen to be at a Porsche dealership (rare, since I do a fair amount of my own work, and go to a favorite indy otherwise; there aren't any dealerships close anymore anyway), I'll get a crush ring or two. If I neglect to do so? No big deal. It's not that I forget to include it (as you seem to imply)...it's that I know full well I can do just fine re-using the old one.

When doing a DIY, the difference between necessity items and re-usable items? Apples and Oranges.

Of course not likely. We've all re-used crush washers more than once and it's usually due to the forgetfulness clearly like some or the occasion purchase of wrong size crush washers :p. I was simply stating just order a boatload since it's cheap and showing love to the sponsor :cheers:. I didn't imply forgetfulness. You agreed with piper about forgetfulness and I simply responded. You sure love that crush washer ring Frodo. Don't let it rule you. That's a joke.

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. :rolleyes:

A couple of points here...
 

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

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):


http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/29800-motor-mount-re-assembly-question.html




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! :cheers:

50pcs does seem a lot for the average driver Piper :D. 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?

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!

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:

So be disgusted. Without justification.

You suppose for a second that we “crush washer re-users” are so dumb that we’d continue the practice if it didn’t work out just fine? A dozen drops, 40 years of oil changes. Not even enough (by a long shot) to have to top off following discovery and correction. Statistically that amounts to an unchallengeable “perfect” in my book, batting virtually 1.000. And my one “out”? Didn’t even come close to costing me the game.

Good luck on your new eBay adventure..

Waaaaay too many engineers on this forum all debating torque specs of drain plugs... WHO uses a torque wrench on a drain plug?!?! :confused:

I've done roughly 20000 oil changes, nary a single oil out or leak, and I've never had to use a torque wrench. Never had an issue getting a plug out either (worst case you cut the plug down and hammer on a smaller socket).

Seems like using a torque wrench on a drain plug is not only un-professional its un-advisable.

EDIT: oh and the crush washer thing... I've changed MAYBE 5 of those in my life.

:cheers: A voice of reason emerges from the darkness!

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. ;) )

:cheers:

Two in a row!! :D:D

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. :cool:
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? :cheers:
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. :D


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

You're welcome.

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.

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 :D But I'll extend a peace offering to 78F350. I hope he could tell by the emoji that I was joking. :cheers:

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! :D

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. :cheers:

I get it that it's soft metal, but when I think crush washers I think rolled metal ones that are hollow inside and flatten as you tighten them.

I guess aluminum is more like the cheap version of brass washers.