[Vwdiesel] TDI oil plug

[Val Christian]

Thanks, David.

OK, I'm starting to understand.  The copper washer is designed to be 
uniquely crushed, and is therefore a single-use item.  I don't understand
why the bolt gets replaced as well, however.

Too bad the oil pan is so exposed (well, it's dust protected by the skid
pan, but mechanically, it's rather exposed).  This would be a good 
application for a quick-drain.  They are used on aircaft engines frequently.
It's basically a valve, and when you push up on it, it opens
and drains.  Typically it's pushed up on by a piece of hose, which
extends down to a bucket.  Pushing up on the hose opens the valve.
Pulling down on the hose closes the valve, and extracts the hose
from a nipple.  No bolt.  O-ring integrity.

Gee, I wonder if I can find a way to put an o-ring onto the oil sump
plug...

Meanwhile, I'll see if I can find some copper washers, with the right crush 
rings.  

Val


> 
> I'll second that.
> 
> Dad's TDI was leaking out the oil plug, so when I did
> a change, I noticed that the copper gasket had several
> different grooves smashed in it.  Replacing it solved
> that problem.
> 
> In a conversation with the mechanic, he said they have
> had lots of cars with aluminum pans come in with
> stripped threads on the plug.  He said the problem
> stems with people reusing the copper gaskets.  What
> happens is that it takes more torque to get it to
> seal, to crush that copper a little bit more.  
> 
> That strips the threads in the pan.  He has seen them
> where the threads are nearly stripped and then when
> you go to loosen the plug, it simply popps them loose
> and they come out with the plug.
> 
> Needless to say, I bought several gaskets for the next
> round of oil changes!
> 
> David
> 
> 
> --- James Hansen <jhsg at sasktel.net> wrote:
> 
> > I do replace the copper washer periodically, it
> > keeps the oil in better 
> > over the long haul.
> > 
> > I would have to review the TSB's again, but I think
> > the bolt replacement 
> > was to cure a cash drawer problem in the dealership
> > parts department.
> > 
> > -james
> > 
> > Val Christian wrote:
> > > Apparently VW recommends replacement of the oil
> > plug bolt on the 
> > > TDI engine.  They sell the bolt (plug) with a
> > gasket washer.
> > > 
> > > Does anyone know the rationale for this?  
> > > 
> > > The only thing I can come up with is that the pan
> > is Al, the gasket
> > > Cu, and the bolt steel.  
> > > 
> > > Val
> > > 
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> 
> 
> David Cook
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> 
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