Oil Drain Plug Issue?

[MPower7]

Hello,

I changed my oil on Saturday 9/9. Torqued both drain plugs to 25nm. Had the car on a lift for something else today and noticed this around the main drain plug but not the front one. Is this normal to have this oil residue? I used a new plug and new washer. Oil level remains max level.


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Thanks,

[E46M3forRay]

Don't mean to alarm you and all but that could be a sign of a stripped thread from the oil pan. Mine had telltale signs just like that, minor leaks.

I suggest to just leave it alone and start planning if it ends up to be stripped. After 2k miles from my initial diy oil change, out of curiosity, I made a mistake and attempted to tighten the drain plug just another notch and all it did was spin. It was game over for me.

Some folks in here was able to repair using timesert with good results. In my case, I took the opportunity and had the shop install a whole new oil pan and do the rod bearings while the pan is out. Engine mounts was also needed since mine was worned out. My wallet cried but in the end I drove home happy. Almost like going to a strip club without getting rape.

Hopefully yours isn't that bad though and those aluminum oil pans are easy to strip and not cheap.

[pbonsalb]

Could just be some residue from the oil change dissipating. Wipe it totally clean and see if it reappears. If so, I'd probably leave further inspection to your next oil change unless it gets much worse.

[dparm]

Wipe it clean with a degreaser and check back. It's normal for there to be some residual oil on the threads that "weeps".

[JH M3]

I stripped the threads on my X1. If the oil does come back I suggest having a plan next time you change your oil. You can try getting a tap and die kit. You're probably going to have to make it a larger size so have the right size plug as well. If you do, I'd also have some extra oil to flush out any pieces of metal that get into the oil pan. Changing the oil pan on an X1 is prohibitively expensive since you have to drop the driveshaft so this was the option I went with.

[MPower7]

Not really sure how I could have stripped the threads if I did, maybe I should have just used the old plug. Looks like the leak is coming back although not as bad. Should I check the plug with a torque wrench at 25nm?


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[roastbeef]

25nm is probably too tight. I posted this earlier but the post disappeared for some reason. I just do it snug.

[MPower7]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

25nm is probably too tight. I posted this earlier but the post disappeared for some reason. I just do it snug.

25nm is only 18.44 ft lbs of force. Just about every source I read before doing this said 25nm? Anyone else have any input?

The front Plug is not leaking at all so that's why i'm concerned.

Thanks,

[msan]

18 ft lbs is what TIS calls for

[roastbeef]

i'm not trying to start a debate, and i 100% believe what you're telling me it says is true. with all the people reporting stripped plugs, i go for snug and that is it. i only use a torque gauge to make sure "my snug" isn't over the 18ftlbs or whatever. if i remember correctly, i'm at about 12ftlbs, but i'm not 100% sure on that. of course, your experience may vary.