Triumphrat

badS4 · 06-13-2006

Anyone know if it is safe to put a revolution or two of plumber's tape on an oil sump plug? Any danger of the tape moving up the plug into the sump & clogging something? I know that sounds pretty unlikely, but I just want to make sure.

I have a repaired sump following a bottoming-out incident, and now I have a very slight oil leak, like a drop of oil on the sump plug only after a hard ride. The very bottom of the sump where the plug goes in (where the plug head touches the sump when it's torqued in) is a bit scraped, so the mating between the plug head and opening of the sump is not perfectly smooth (only evident when inspected closely).

Could this cause a leak at the sump, or does a leaky sump necessarily imply a problem with the threads (they could also be imperfect following the repair)? I guess I'm really asking: what holds the oil in, the threads or the plug head contacting the opening of the sump?

Thanks for helping a newbie & sorry for the tedious questions...

mathbeak · 06-13-2006

The threads do not seal anything, it is the head of the plug sealing to the sump with a proper aluminum crush washer (you DID use a new one, didn't you???) as a gasket. Next time you change oil, try a new aluminum crush washer with some gasket compound (not silicone) on both sides of the washer. A machine shop could machine a land for an "O" ring into the plug, I suppose. My old GMC truck has a great sump plug gasket, with a rubber face bonded to the washer on both faces, and it has lasted for 15 years without a drip.

Alan L. in BC

j98sprint · 06-14-2006

I've been using teflon (plumbers) tape on sump plugs forever. Matter of fact, just an hour ago changed the oil on my Sprint and used it. Just don't over do it and do what Alan L. says, new crush washer.

j98sprint

badS4 · 06-15-2006

Thanks guys for the help. As far as I can tell, the speed four actually uses a standard, solid, flat metal (aluminum or copper?) washer on the sump plug instead of a crush washer. I did replace that when I put everything back together.

It is good to know that it's not the threads that are at fault...that makes things easier to fix and gives me an idea of how to proceed. I will try both of your suggestions out, and hopefully one or both will fix the leak!

Thanks for your time.

:chug: