Engine Oil Sump Plug O-Ring

[Talby]

Hi All,
Can you buy a new O-Ring for the sump plug?
Dealer has told me NO you must buy a complete new sump plug with O-ring for $9.30!
I know its a "Land Rover" but why replace the metal sump plug? I can understand replacing the O-ring.
I can purchase new sump plugs from ebay for approx $3.75 each would it be worth buying some in bulk would anyone be interested?
I'm planning on changing my oil at least twice a year even though it will problably only travel less than 10k as it will be towing a van.

Cheers, Talby.

[400HPONGAS]

Well at the incredible savings of $10 per year ,at that rate I could fend off the next Global Economic Recession . ! LMFAO !!!

[Graeme]

Buy 1 new plug and use the o-ring off the old one as a sample.

[bcl]

I wonder if the sump plug is magnetized to catch metal fragments. Hence the requirement to throw it out each time you change the oil.

[bbyer]

My understanding is that Land Rover did once sell small bags of replacement O rings for the various plugs that all now seem to require single use O rings.

The problem was that mechanics could not keep the various O rings separated and soon there were engine, differential, or tranny failures due leakage as a result of the use of the wrong replacement O ring.

Hence the solution was to only make available the plug/O ring combos.

[Ean Austral]

Just buy some gasket goo and put a film around the flat part of the plug that mates against the sump. Changed my oil 3 times and still using the same plug and O-ring.

Hasn't leaked a drop of oil. Secret is not to overtighten the plug.

Cheers Ean

[101RRS]

Most independent car parts supplers will sell o rings seperately. Places like Repco have them in blister packs or various sizes.

I must admit I have not as yet actually put in new sump plugs or o rings on my engine. When removed they have all been in good condition and never leaked. When I have bought my filter kits new plugs and o rings have been supplied so I have a couple spare for future use.

If the plug and o ring are in good nick and not over tightened I would use it again but obviously your call - I have not had an issue.

Garry

[Talby]

Thanks guys, have already used the existing O ring for the second time now, so thought I might be pushing my luck going for a third, but good point about over tightening. the O ring is slightly different to standard as it has a flat pc coming off the inside edge. thanks for the laugh 400hpongas, its not the dollar value its more the point they all go on about using less materials/recycling looking after the enviroment and they want you to buy a new plug each time!

[Andy46]

I was at a workshop not long ago and someone had not replaced an o ring on a sump plug - result the o ring was over compressed and when put back it did not seal but left a slight leak that went unnoticed until some damage was caused - apparently the engine will build up pressure and suddenly empty all or some oil from sump at high speed thus causing very expensive damage to a motor.

Like most things they have limited shelf life and working life - compounds re act with oil and other solvents very quickly. Old sump plugs used brass washers to avoid this but were often replaced as well at oil changes.

For the sake of a small cost and regardless of the wastage and use of extra items I would replace the o ring as specified by manufacture . It would also avoid any loss of warranty should some detect that you had not replaced same.

O ring $ -v- Motor replacement or rebuild $ - !!!!!!