Feel silly asking this

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,

Is the D3 sump plug re-usable?

Seen 1 advertised and they look like a plastic throw away job.

Thanks and Cheers Ean

[oldsalt]

I've never changed my own oil ... so a "good" question.
The only "silly" question is the one you don't ask !!!
cheers :)

[bbyer]

Gday All, Is the D3 sump plug re-usable?
Thanks and Cheers Ean

For my 4.4l V8, I looked at my last oil change invoice and I paid $CDN6.78 for part number 1013938 Plug - Oil Drain, and yes, new one with every oil change.

When I asked years back, the official line was something to do with over stress.

That I find hard to believe but I think it is something to do with a way of thinking that says cost is no object to any LR owner and perfection is the goal - never quite attained, but certainly the vision.

I will ask next time I am at the dealer what the plug is made of - maybe it is plastic. I think the oil pan is metal, but re the tranny, both the tranny pan and drain plug are plastic so ....

If the oil plug is plastic, then thank goodness there is a skid plate protecting the drain plug; and I thought it was there to protect the oil pan - how wrong one can be.

My dealer did suggest that rather than suffer the burden of paying for a new oil drain plug every oil change, he allowed that he would sell me a D4 and then I would never have to buy another oil drain plug again.

Progress, I am told, and no, apparently they do not have to invert an LR4 to change the oil. It was suggested that someone sucks at the hole that apparently still exists on the top of the engine. The dipstick was also eliminated, another of Fords better ideas, however the bonnet still opens - it is not yet a sealed unit.

That is even more reason to keep something as simple? as my 3.:confused:

[jtonline]

If it has been used then throw it out. I had to replace the whole sump of the transmission (which includes the filter for the transmission fluid) cause the one in my sump had been reused and threaded the thread not just of the plug but also in the sump. $1500 later! But then again the service record shows it had never been changed or checked, so most likely back to the factory where my car was build a lemon. (post - Why did I buy a D3)

[bbyer]

From the jpgs below that I found on various parts sites, it appears that the engine oil pan sump plug is made of metal. I also note that sealing appears to be via an O ring, and perhaps not the threads.

I expect the concern is that the O ring is damaged when the plug is removed and an all new plug makes more sense than fitting a proper sized O ring as the mating surfaces may be scored after repeated removal and installation of new O rings.

[Neil P]

Except for this D3 warranty BS , I've NEVER bought a new sump
plug in 35 years of driving . Wrap some pink tape around it and
put it back in. No sump plug leaks in 17 vehicles... and a few
tractors too.

[400HPONGAS]

The D3 TDV6 sump is made of HD propylene plastic , so the threads arent that strong.(Note TDV6 , sump is PLASTIC not steel or alloy ,made of the same stuff as the oil filter housing ,no O-Ring just a flat seal)
So it relies on that flat rubber seal to actually seal . As long as you dont overtighten it and extrude the seal it should be okay . Ive just done mine and replaced the $6 plug with seal , but wont be replacing the plug/seal the next time , now that I know what goes on.
Ps I was shocked to see the correct engine oil on the shelf
at the local Kmart Shell Helix ultra 5/30 Fully synthetic $56 for 5 ltrs