Warning...!! Do not buy cheap alloy oil drain plugs!!

[Project-RX8]

It's ironic really...

I had a heated debate with my brother about drain plugs because i spent £30 on a dimples one, he said he's never had a issue with his cheap magnetic one he bought off ebay.

The other day i was doing what was meant to be a simple oil change on my daily, removed the sump plug that i bought a few years back (this is the ironic part) cheap magnetic alloy one from eBay.

Put the plug back in, went in but as it started to bite it just kept turning and didn't tighten. Starting to get late and the stores closed i called my dad grovelling to borrow his car for the week while i was at work.

The weekend came round and i was dreading it, at the time not knowing if it was the sump or the plug i bought a new drain plug. I attempted to undo the old drain plug and again just span. Having installed a copper washer and being a little lose i thought chisel the washer off to get under the drain plug to apply some pressure and undo. Idea was there but it still just span and you could push it up and down.

Came to the conclusion it was the sump, dreading it... so i started to strip the underneath to realise what a big job it was on this car, so much needed to come off and gearbox needed to be split slightly, power steering off etc. So i thought sod it!! before i even attempt it i have nothing to lose forcing the sump plug out just to make sure it was the plug.

Using a decent socket and long handle i was able to pull down on the rachet while undoing the drain plug. Finally got it out...

When i saw the drain plug i was so glad... it was completely stripped, most likely because it had already started to go and i finished it off.

The point being though how easy it was to strip the rest of the thread removing it.

Put another drain plug in, it had a nice feel and was biting, removed it and put back in exactly the same and torqued up to spec without a problem.

Moral of the story, next oil change do not re install those cheap ebay magnetic drain plugs. If you want a good brand magnetic drain plug try the gold plug that opie sells, it's not going to break the bank and what i installed on the RX8

[Mpv2k3]

gold plug

[AndyBrad]

i just use a pella

[Phil Bate]

Same here. I haven't had the drain plug out since I rebuilt the engine... five years ago

[Dr. FrankenRex]

Sadly with the R3 it's just as easy to undo the sump plug given the filter is right next to it and accessible underneath

[V8 Power]

I still use the Pella on our R3 rather than risking any issues with sump nut and sump.