drain plug torque spec

[fjbauer@dsavm.e-mail.com]

Frank J. Bauer                                                                  
dassault systemes of America     email:fjbauer@dsavm.e-mail.com                 
Subject: drain plug torque spec                                                 
go down to pep boys or some such place and buy a small handful of the copper    
crush washers.  replace this every time you change your oil.  i remember the    
torque spec for the tranny/diff drain/fill plugs is 17 lbs/ft so i'm sure this  
is a safe starting point for the oil drain plug.  if you try to make your       
2 bit copper seal last for several oil changes, you will have to use more       
torque each time until you have stripped your rather expensive oil pan.         
not worth the savings, especially if you don't buy your seal from the dealer.   
by the way, the dealer just goes to a local supply house and buys a small       
handful of the copper crush washers and marks em up 1000% for the trouble.      
btw, several years ago i bought for my GLI a rather well made brass and         
stainless steel ball valve that makes oil changes almost doable in a dress      
shirt (i didn't say filter changes!)  the valve replaces the drain plug         
(negating the need to replace seals) and it was 10 or 15 bucks at the time.     
if anyone knows of a source for these please post it - i can't remember and     
would like to get another for the TqW.                                          
frank