Hi All,

Hope you can help. I am going to do an oil change of my fabia 1.4 petrol 8v, 2001. it has got an 8mm hexagon sump plug key and a copper washer for the sump plug. But i don't know what would be the right torque for the sump plug key to tighten it. Hope someone can help (please!!)

i already do have a torque wrench. I am just worried that i will destroy my sump if i tighten my sump plug key too much.

many thanks

According to Haynes for the 1.4 8v OHC AZE, AME, AZF, AQW, ATZ, engines it is 30Nm (22lft ft). Also remember to torque the oil filter to the correct torque, if OEM filter they usualy say on it!! Remember to fill the oil filter with new oil until the paper element inside can't absorb any more, as this speeds up the priming of the system. Drain the oil hot, wear thick rubber gloves to protect your hands from burns when removing the drain plug and leave it to drain for a good 1hr!! Remove oil filter and dipstick and filler cap after main amount of oil has drained,as this allows the pressure to reduce to let the rest drain out.

Hi fabdavrav,

thanks for your input. it helped alot... I replaced my oil filter and changed oil. tighten the sump plug key to the correct torque. so it all went fairly smoothly. But this morning i noticed some oil is still dripping out from my sump plug key. Just wondering whether i should tighen it bit further... well, should be fine balance between not destrying my sump and not dripping oil!!

any advice? shall i tighten it bit further? (think mine has dripped a drop for each hour or something!!)

many thanks

Errrr.... Right then, several things to check; Was the sump plug and washer OEM and not generic?? Was the area around the drain hole cleaned before you fitted the sump plug and washer (small dirt bits trapped)?? Is the torque wrench good quality and accurate?? (you could max increase an additional 5% to settings if you think torque wrench is "worn" and therefore under-reading). Finaly was the plug was done up with the sump still warm, overnight the sump will contract as it gets colder, so slacken the plug just a bit then re-torque!!! Personally never had this problem on any car!!

Did you use a new sump bolt and washer? These MUST be replaced every time an oil change is done.