Yesterday I serviced my vrs that has recently had a new sump. I unfortunately do not have a torque wrench so have not torqued the sump plug but have done it up as tight as I see fit, but its leaking. I keep doing it up more and more, tiny bits at a time but i don't want to do it up any tighter and its still leaking!! Any tips to stop it leaking?? Maybe a sealant of some kind??

 

By the way its a very slow leak, probably 10 drips overnight last night. Just driven 40 miles and it dripped on the journey.

 

Cheers

Are you 100% sure it's coming from the plug and not a potentially badly sealed sump?

 

Did you fit a new sump plug or re-use the old one? Did you clean the sump before fitting the plug?

 

Did the plug screw in OK - not too loose or too tight (ooh err!).

Yeah i have briefly looked at the back of the sump for oil but couldnt see any. I had a local mechanic fit the sump for me last year and no i didnt i'm afraid, probably should have!! The plug did seem to go in very easy tbh!! 

No you didn't fit a new sump plug or no you didn't clean it up before fitting?

 

I've never had it happen, but in theory if the threads were worn then it would be easier for oil to seep down them and leak out.

 

I wouldn't tighten it up any more now as there could be a risk of stripping the thread in the sump.

Try wrapping some PTFE tape round the thread

No you didn't fit a new sump plug or no you didn't clean it up before fitting?

 

I've never had it happen, but in theory if the threads were worn then it would be easier for oil to seep down them and leak out.

 

I wouldn't tighten it up any more now as there could be a risk of stripping the thread in the sump.

I didnt clean the sump, sump only 10 months old. And yes I fitted a new plug and washer

By clean the sump I mean the area where the washer will seat against - you don't want any bits of grit sitting between the sump and washer.

 

The PTFE tape is worth a go - I would just put it on near the end of the thread - you don't want it falling off and floating around in the sump.

Fit a new sump plug, if you swap them quickly you won't lose too much oil. The sump pan is aluminium so can be crossed threaded easily and do wear over time. If you need to replace the sump pan go for the low profile one as the base and threaded area are steel.

As you already have the plastic shield off, drain the oil out into a clean washing up bowl or similar.

 

Take your time, clean it all up, fit a new sump plug to the correct torque and re-fill with the drained oil.

 

That way you wont get into any awkward situations with oil spilling everywhere and ending up with a cross threaded plug.

 

DB

Or you could try one of these

 

http://www.drainplug.co.uk/compact.html

 

I've used them in my last two vehicles and now the Fabia. Saves having to remove the sump plug every time you change the oil and less messy too

I fitted one of these for the same reason http://www.qwikvalve.com/.

 

Makes oil changing far easier & does away with the sump plug issue. 

I fitted one of these for the same reason http://www.qwikvalve.com/.

Makes oil changing far easier & does away with the sump plug issue.

Where did you order it from? That website is U.S and there doesn't appear to be a U.K site?

Edit: appears the U.K site is "Quickvalve".

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This is cheaper than anything :P http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291475988288?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I suppose 5 oil changes and you've got you're money back on the quickvalve although it is pricey. It does look like it will make oil changes slicker (excuse the pun). I've bought one anyway so I'll feed back if it's any good :-)

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This is cheaper than anything :P http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291475988288?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That's what I've got, does its job

Where did you order it from? That website is U.S and there doesn't appear to be a U.K site?

Edit: appears the U.K site is "Quickvalve".

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This would be the one http://www.quickvalve.co.uk/f106_adp106.htm.

 

See you've already ordered one mate,makes it a doddle i wouldn't be without mine.

That's what I've got, does its job

Do you replace it every oil change then?.

Yes I do circa 30k miles a year which usually results in 4 oil changes a year. It does look like a good idea and looks to completely negate any risk of me potentially cross threading or stripping the sump! Lol

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Just fit it carefully then lol.

Do you replace it every oil change then?.

No I just replace the copper washer and clean it.