quietas wrote:
Water Pump broke a couple weeks back and it took time to get the kit from IDParts. Then more time to get it installed. While it has been down I had a great idea of doing an oil change and track down this slow oil leak. Note, the Liberty is my GF's, not mine.
It seems the last person to do an oil change (not me) stripped the pan and the plug has never actually been tight enough. Also it's obviously been stripped before since the plug size is 11/16-20 (standard, not metric). Now I need to tap new threads and get a new oil plug ASAP as I am flying out for work on Monday.
11/16" is big. I thought about tapping new M20-1.5 threads and putting a new plug in for the time being, then later swap in a Fumoto valve at the next oil change. Unfortunately I can't locate a m20-1.5 tap.
Would an m22-1.5 be too large? I know I can find both tap and plug in town. Or possibly 3/4" since it's smaller but I am not sure about the plug and tap till I hit the auto parts and hardware stores tomorrow.
What I did early on when I bought my Jeep and discovered someone had already put an oversized self tapping oil drain plug in the oil pan and it to was stripped and would not tighten up. It seems the last person to do an oil change (not me) stripped the pan and the plug has never actually been tight enough. Also it's obviously been stripped before since the plug size is 11/16-20 (standard, not metric). Now I need to tap new threads and get a new oil plug ASAP as I am flying out for work on Monday.
11/16" is big. I thought about tapping new M20-1.5 threads and putting a new plug in for the time being, then later swap in a Fumoto valve at the next oil change. Unfortunately I can't locate a m20-1.5 tap.
Would an m22-1.5 be too large? I know I can find both tap and plug in town. Or possibly 3/4" since it's smaller but I am not sure about the plug and tap till I hit the auto parts and hardware stores tomorrow.
A simple fix using readily available parts from any hardware store.
It is still working just fine with no leaks and nothing hanging way down to get caught on something.
Tap stipped drain hole in oil pan with a 1/2" NPT tap (tapered threads). Only tap using about 1/2 of the tap since it is tapered.
Insert a 1/2" x 3/8" steel or brass pipe bushing with threads liberally coated with red high strength LocTite or other high strength thread locking / sealing compound.
Then screw a male 3/8 hex plug into the pipe bushing with teflon tape on threads.
Then when you change oil you only have to R&R the 3/8 hex plug out and back in the pipe bushing. The 1/2" pipe bushing basically becomes a permanent part of the oil pan.
Problem solved.
