Magnetic LN oil drain plug

[epapp]

My LN oil plug is leaking from inside the hex drive, meaning it has a crack or something up in the hex cutout where you put the allen to tighten the plug. I know it is from the inside because I cleaned the area 4 times and watched the oil gather from inside the plug.

Has anyone else ever had this happen?? Its a slow leak but will produce about 10 drops of oil over night sitting still with cold oil...

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by epapp

My LN oil plug is leaking from inside the hex drive, meaning it has a crack or something up in the hex cutout where you put the allen to tighten the plug. I know it is from the inside because I cleaned the area 4 times and watched the oil gather from inside the plug.

Has anyone else ever had this happen?? Its a slow leak but will produce about 10 drops of oil over night sitting still with cold oil...

How many changes have you had the plug for? I read reviews on Pelican Parts that these plugs can eventually fail. Sorry about that.

[epapp]

I'm not sure, the plug was in the car when I bought it, and I have changed the oil probably 6 times in two years.

I ordered another LN (it looked longer in thread length and I just saw a post on here recently about a super long oil drain plug, maybe related) as well as a standard non magnetic plug. Will start with the magnetic (long threaded) LN plug and have the standard replacement plug if LN fails again...

I also tempted fate and drove to work (3.25hr round trip with lots of 5mph driving involved). I'm banking on the 10qt oil capacity to hold me over until I can put in the new plug tonight. I'm sure my work loves me for dripping oil everywhere.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by epapp

My LN oil plug is leaking from inside the hex drive, meaning it has a crack or something up in the hex cutout where you put the allen to tighten the plug. I know it is from the inside because I cleaned the area 4 times and watched the oil gather from inside the plug.

Has anyone else ever had this happen?? Its a slow leak but will produce about 10 drops of oil over night sitting still with cold oil...

You will see this in plugs that have been over tightened, cracking them. When you get your new LN plug, be sure to not over torque it (19 ft. lb. is the correct torque for this plug).

[Jake Raby]

When the 9a1 engine was introduced, the mag drain plugs needed to be altered to fit all engines. This is when the plugs became a tad longer, and tapered.

Torque to no more than 19#

[epapp]

Thanks for the info, I'll actually use the torque wrench this time .

The longer plug will not be of any harm I assume (and hope)?

[mikefocke]

You want the plug to be softer and fail earlier than the threads in the sump. Lots easier and cheaper to replace the plug.

I used to hand my oil changer a clean plug and crush washer and take the used ones home in a baggie brought for the purpose. Always used a fresh crush washer too...again even softer metal so it compresses.

[JayG]

There is a thread on the Rennlist 996 forum about the same thing

At the end of the day, they will crack, especially over torqued

Try calling LN, they may send you a replacement Charles is a stand up guy

There are also some steel magnetic drain plugs from
http://www.powerslutracing.com/c-1071480-magnetic-drain-plugs-by-thread-size.html
as well as others
**** edit****
steel plug in Aluminium sump may not be a good idea.

'See post # 11 below

YMMV

[Jake Raby]

The longer plug does no harm at all, in an M96 there's nothing for it to hit. In a 9a1, there's a baffle that it will hit, which is why the shape is more convex with the newer plug.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

The longer plug does no harm at all, in an M96 there's nothing for it to hit. In a 9a1, there's a baffle that it will hit, which is why the shape is more convex with the newer plug.

is there any issue using a steel drain plug?

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by JayG

is there any issue using a steel drain plug?

Yeah, it'll rip the threads out of the sump after dissimilar metal corrosion occurs. I see about one every 2 months.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Yeah, it'll rip the threads out of the sump after dissimilar metal corrosion occurs. I see about one every 2 months.

Thanks

I had a feeling that would be an issue
One of the reasons I went with a LN plug

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Yeah, it'll rip the threads out of the sump after dissimilar metal corrosion occurs. I see about one every 2 months.

Hi Jake. So a steel drain plug is a no-no?

I ask because I bought a plug that was recommended on here and I just checked it and it is steel (I have not installed it).

I am not sure what it currently in the car as I have not changed the oil since I got it.

My understanding is that the washer needs to be replaced every oil change. This new plug has a washer. Can I assume that will work?

Thanks in advance, John

[epapp]

Well, plug changed with up-to-temp oil in the sump. Will never do that again .

This must have been an 'updated' plug. It had a smaller hex drive head, thicker neck and collar and a much stronger magnet than the cracked plug I had.

[rick3000]

I would stick with an aluminum OEM/Porsche plug, or the LN magnetic plug. I have heard of cheaper magnetic plugs shearing off (like the ECS Tuning one), and now we know that the steel ones are no good. Thanks Jake!

It's not like the OEM plugs are that expensive. I purchased a spare aluminum OEM brand (supplier for Porsche) plug from Pelican for $4.

[Jake Raby]

Watch who's recommending things here, they probably know less than you do. Thats the issue with forums.

[navair]

Mine cracked and leaked like a sieve after 3 oil changes and about 3years. Never over tightened.

[sickbananas]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Watch who's recommending things here, they probably know less than you do. Thats the issue with forums.

True words!

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by navair

Mine cracked and leaked like a sieve after 3 oil changes and about 3years. Never over tightened.

Was it tightened to the Porsche factory spec?

[Marburk]

Originally Posted by Jake Raby

Was it tightened to the Porsche factory spec?

Porsche factory spec for tightening the OEM oil drain plug is 37 ft lbs. That could explain the problem if the LN drain plug was tightened to those specs.