k47k

My Girlfreinds civic ex 97 recently started leaking oil. She has been taking it to the dealer for service, one time she took it to valvoline. The dealer said that "someone stripped the oil pan drain plug". They installed a new drain plug and said if it didnt stop leaking she would have to buy a new oil pan.

since i do all my own maintainance on my cars, i decided to take a look and see what was up:


The dealer uses some kind of silicone / gasket stuff between the drain plug and crush washer... this didnt work.

I purchased a "sure seal" o-ring drain plug and installed it. I can now see the problem.

It appears that the threads are not cut properly in the oil pan. when the drain plug is installed only the bottom of the drain plug touches the oil pan, the top does not, hence the leak.

Now, the car is 7 years old or so, the leak didnt develop until a few months ago. Car is out of warranty, however its obvios that the oil pan is defective. (threads not cut properly to allow drain plug to sit flush with oil pan).

I dont beleive the oil pan has been cross threaded.

What are the chances Honda will own up to the defective oil pan and replace it?

They will probably say that it hasnt leaked in 6 years ( i dont know that for sure as it wasnt parked in my driveway making stains).

my theory as to why it wasnt leaking all that time is that the threads were sealing, after may oil changes the threads are no longer sealing and the seal must be created by the drain plug contacting the oil pan.

thoughts?


Modified by k47k at 8:24 AM 10/4/2004

k47k

anyone?

sohcvtec1995

Just get a new pan. Cause If the bolt was stripped then most likely they could have cross threaded the pan.