Oil pan drain plug installation?

[twomany]

A recent thread on what may prove to be a catastrophic engine failure due to a "gone missing" oil sump drain plug has drawn significant attention and many views.
Both technical and political.

There has been mention of changing methods and requirements for the proper installation of sump drain plugs. I am curious as to the nature and extent of any changes.

I took a look through the Operators Manual for the old B7200 I have, in regard to oil changes, and as far as "specs" go , the manual states (on page 34 , step 2) "reinstall the drain plug", with no further definition. Oil changes are to take place every 75 operating hours.

Since I have several tractors of various makes and ages, a look at two other tractor's operation and service literature reads almost word for word the same. One only states "reinstall plug". But that is a translation from Italian ;-) ( four words in the Kubota instruction ;-)

Is there a change in more contemporary tractors? Should the typical tractor owner, that does his own engine oil changes, know more? How does your owners/operators manual read?

Such information might save the headache that another member is going through.

Comments?

 

[Daren Todd]

I've always snugged a drain plug. If it takes a crush washer, then the washer gets replaced. Nothing fancy and never put a torque wrench on one. Probably lay my hands on at least 1,000 pieces of equipment a year. Never had one stripped, or lost one. Occasionally I've had to weld a nut to one because it was rounded off.

 

[100 td]

I like to use a torque wrench, but I don't always, here some specs from a Kubota service manual

D905-E2B / E2BG
D1005-E2B /E2BG
D1105-E2B /E2BG
D1105-T-E2B
D1005-E4B/E4BG
D1105-E4B/E4BG
D1305-E4B/E4BG
V1305-E2B
V1505-E2B
V1305-E2BG
V1505-E2BG
V1505-T-E2B
V1505-E4B/E4BG
Drain plug with copper gasket
M12 × 1.25 - 32.4 to 37.3 N·m 3.3 to 3.8 kgf·m 23.9 to 27.5 ft-lbs
M22 × 1.5 - 63.7 to 73.5 N·m 6.5 to 7.5 kgf·m 47.0 to 54.2 ft-lbs

Drain plug with rubber coated gasket
M22 × 1.5 - 44.1 to 53.9 N·m 4.5 to 5.5 kgf·m 32.5 to 39.8 ft-lbs

 

[twomany]

I like to use a torque wrench, but I don't always, here some specs from a Kubota service manual

D905-E2B / E2BG
D1005-E2B /E2BG
D1105-E2B /E2BG
D1105-T-E2B
D1005-E4B/E4BG
D1105-E4B/E4BG
D1305-E4B/E4BG
V1305-E2B
V1505-E2B
V1305-E2BG
V1505-E2BG
V1505-T-E2B
V1505-E4B/E4BG
Drain plug with copper gasket
M12 × 1.25 - 32.4 to 37.3 N·m 3.3 to 3.8 kgf·m 23.9 to 27.5 ft-lbs
M22 × 1.5 - 63.7 to 73.5 N·m 6.5 to 7.5 kgf·m 47.0 to 54.2 ft-lbs

Drain plug with rubber coated gasket
M22 × 1.5 - 44.1 to 53.9 N·m 4.5 to 5.5 kgf·m 32.5 to 39.8 ft-lbs

curious,

This reference makes no mention of the drain plug at all.
http://www.kubota.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/D905.D1105.V1505.D1105-T.V1505-T.pdf

see page 15 for oil change directions.

Is there owner literature that contains the values cited?

 

[100 td]

This is just from some wsm's, so if anyone has a drain plugs of specified size in engine range I would expect they could use this info
Edit: I would expect these days with new manuals at least, they would be listed, but I don't make the manuals.

 

[twomany]

I like to use a torque wrench, but I don't always, here some specs from a Kubota service manual

D905-E2B / E2BG
D1005-E2B /E2BG
D1105-E2B /E2BG
D1105-T-E2B
D1005-E4B/E4BG
D1105-E4B/E4BG
D1305-E4B/E4BG
V1305-E2B
V1505-E2B
V1305-E2BG
V1505-E2BG
V1505-T-E2B
V1505-E4B/E4BG
Drain plug with copper gasket
M12 × 1.25 - 32.4 to 37.3 N·m 3.3 to 3.8 kgf·m 23.9 to 27.5 ft-lbs
M22 × 1.5 - 63.7 to 73.5 N·m 6.5 to 7.5 kgf·m 47.0 to 54.2 ft-lbs

Drain plug with rubber coated gasket
M22 × 1.5 - 44.1 to 53.9 N·m 4.5 to 5.5 kgf·m 32.5 to 39.8 ft-lbs

hmm 25 or 50 ft pounds is different than the " just snug" mention made on another thread. 50 foot pounds is a good effort!

 

[100 td]

50 ft/lbs is for a M22 thread!

 

[twomany]

50 ft/lbs is for a M22 thread!

OK

27.5 pound feet is a bit more than "snug" ...;-)

 

[100 td]

50 ft/lbs is for a M22 thread!

OK
27.5 pound feet is a bit more than "snug" ...;-)

When you compare the value for the 22mm thread for the drain plug against Kubota published 20mm torque specs for other bolts on the machine you will note some difference
M20 grade 4T or no grade 246~289 ft/lbs, 7T 272~318, 9T 362~419
M12 grade 4T or no grade 46~53 ft/lbs, 7T 57~66, 9T 76~87

 

[twomany]

A data point

The Kubota Work Shop Manual for the B7200 includes these instructions for oil changes.
Page SG-6 "Screw in the drain plug".

On a previous page of general directions,

General Tightening Torque
M12 - 46-53 pound feet.

Pretty tight.

 

[100 td]

General instructions for general bolts, drain plugs are normally a fine thread, so much lower torque.

 

[twomany]

General instructions for general bolts, drain plugs are normally a fine thread, so much lower torque.

Very true!

But the WSM makes a point of using the "general instructions" when specs are not otherwise specified. And in this WSM there is no mention of an alternate.

We are fortunate to have common sense!

 

[mbu]

If you're worried about the oil plug vibrating out then do this...

Drill a hole thru the head of the plug across its flats. Then, when installed, put a piece of wire thru it (baling wire or similar) and tie it back to the nearest point that is solid. The bailing wire only needs to be mildly taut since all the torque it needs to resist is what's caused by vibration. The plug may turn a slight bit via vibration but most likely not more than 1/2 turn. At this point the plug may leak ever so slightly but it will prevent the plug from completely vibrating out and causing a catastrophic failure to the engine. If one has a 4WD, then it's probable the pan has two oil plugs which makes installing a wire between the two very easy. Perhaps Kubota will take note of this potential problem and provide a stud near the plug where a wire can be anchored as well as plug heads that have holes.

P.S. This is common on aircraft engines.

 

[torch]

P.S. This is common on aircraft engines.

And track-prepped motorcycles.

 

[twomany]

A random comment from the "deep web" on the subject of torque values.

There isn't one, because it's not known if the drain plug is being removed/reinstalled with the engine hot or cold. Such as at a quick-lube place.

And because the threads in the oil pan are coated with oil, it has to be a wet torque spec.

So, the drain plug is tightened by feel.

[end]

compliments of some random search engine.

 

[Kendall]

Simple add some thread lock