How a $6 part can destroy an engine
#1
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How a $6 part can destroy an engine
I purchased a fumoto quick release oil drain valve some time ago based on some good feedback I have gotten from others. When changing my oil I decided that we would finally get it on the car. The mechanic hand tightened it by hand and all was going well till 1/4 turn with the wrench resulted in the following.
He didn't over torque it because the oil pan wasn't stripped.
I may have gotten just a bad part but needless to say I won't be using this thing.
He didn't over torque it because the oil pan wasn't stripped.
I may have gotten just a bad part but needless to say I won't be using this thing.
#2
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Location: Windsor,On,Can&Spokane WA
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Your not the first person I've seen with an issue like this. For the amount of time it takes to grab a boxend and do it... It's hardly worth taking the chance.
#5
damn... good thing it came loose right away... if it broke off while you were driving and dumped all your oil on the road that would have really destroyed your engine!
#6
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From the looks of the wrench marks on the side it appears that he tightened it too much. The core inside the threads is hollow and the material is fairly soft, so it breaks before the pan would get stripped. Had that been a standard drain plug he may have stripped the pan.
#7
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yep, the washer was used. the mechanic who did the work is well know in my area for his work on s2k's, he owns one himself. Luckily he was able to back the broken part out of the oil pan. He is on the board and knows about how these are not supposed to be overtightened so I don't think that was the case.
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#8
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I'm sure if this part was made from 304 or 316 stainless it wouldn't break. You might find one from www.mcmaster.com.
#10
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The stock part has always worked fine for me... a extra 5 seconds to unscrew the bolt is well worth getting my hands dirty to save my motor in case somthing like this happend.