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If the stock plug inserts on a horizontal axis, fine. But if it projects downward on a low clearance vehicle like a 991, I would be nervous.
i have 99k miles on my car without scrapes around the oil drain plug, also there is a cross member that hangs a little lower, I am really not too concerned.
Found this one ($4.98) when ordering the oil filter for my 991.2 from rock auto. Installed recently, no problems so far. Now wondering if I should try to reuse it. It looks just like the oem plastic ones I have been using for years. It wasn't letting me copy or snip it into the page so I put it on a word doc and attached that. Made by URO parts, part number 06L103801PRM.
HD Brass Upgrade, ACM Synthetic Rubber O-Ring; Includes O-Ring
Yes, I have a 991.1. Sounds crazy though that Porsche went to a plastic oil pan drain plug . Perhaps , there was a trend of the aluminum drain plugs "fusing" themselves to the similar metal aluminum oil pan ? Plastic would not have this issue and understandably they would be disposable.
It’s part of being in the vast VW family. I believe the same drain plug is used on the Golf.
I had never seen a plastic plug before when we got our 991.2 so I got spares, but never used them. Maybe we are just careful, but I compared the o-ring seal and plug to a new one at each oil change and could see no difference even with mild magnification.
I get why they want you to replace it, because there are a lot of ham-fisted techs out there, best to be safe than sorry, and it's a part that can be easily damaged. Not that I'd recommend not replacing it, but we never saw a need and it was never an issue.
“One of the biggest chunks came from a new plastic oil sump that saved 4.4 pounds. The sump is comprehensively baffled to ensure a supply of oil near the pickup of the oil pump no matter how aggressively you’re driving, but the idea of an oil pan molded from even the most modern polymers doesn’t inspire confidence among those who expect robustness from their Porsches. To prove the pan’s durability, the engineers tested it by dropping an engine onto a concrete floor from a height of 39 inches. Thomas Brandl, one of those engineers, said the pan developed no leaks.”
My oil pan drain plug is not plastic, it is metal . Specs call for 37 foot pounds of torque.
Where does it say to replace it?
If you are using the correct 8mm hex bit and torque it to spec (or less), why would they fail? I still have the original that has gone through at least 7 oil changes and it still looks like new.
That is because as I have said before, and pardon the sarcasm, tools and some people do not go together. How is it in well over 50 years I have never stripped or wrecked an oil drain plug, or any other fastener. Get the correct tool and if you need to, use a torque wrench! I change my oil once a year before winter lay-away...never had an issue about them seizing.
And in that second video, reminds me of when I went over to change the oil on a friend's 997 and the 8mm bit would not go in more than an 1/8 inch. Another "aftermarket" drain plug. I wish some people would take up basket weaving whoever did the last oil change.
Luckily I was able to remove it with a flat blade screwdriver and hammer with no damage or gouges to the oil pan. You can see the cut. No big deal, he had two new "aftermarket" drain plugs which did not screw into the oil pan. So I went home and got my new "Porsche" spare drain plug with the M18 x 1.5 thread....amazingly the factory one fit.
Agree- I have been changing oil in my own cars since 1978 and have never needed to replace an oil pan drain plug. The right tool ,and torque wrench , is necessary.
I am not sure whether it is a Porsche recommendation, but it is posted on several places and on YouTube videos on DIY oil changes for the 911.
I can only speculate that since the drain plug and the oil pan on the 991.1 are aluminum (?) that similar metals may "weld" together if over torqued.
The plastic drain plugs on the later models make sense to replace.
At any rate, on a vehicle costing in excess of $100K there is no harm in replacing a $4 drain plug on a once a year oil change.
I am not sure whether it is a Porsche recommendation, but it is posted on several places and on YouTube videos on DIY oil changes for the 911.
As a coworker once told me, "the internet is the greatest source of unconfirmed information".
Your choice, replace if you wish. I keep one as a spare just in case and sure enough my friend needed it. Things like that I buy from Porsche, not ebay or Amazon, etc. I realize Porsche does not make them, but they do have standards. Just look at the new "spares" all nicely red anodized drain plugs that my friend had on hand that would not fit.
Found this one ($4.98) when ordering the oil filter for my 991.2 from rock auto. Installed recently, no problems so far. Now wondering if I should try to reuse it. It looks just like the oem plastic ones I have been using for years. It wasn't letting me copy or snip it into the page so I put it on a word doc and attached that. Made by URO parts, part number 06L103801PRM.
HD Brass Upgrade, ACM Synthetic Rubber O-Ring; Includes O-Ring
UPDATE:
I kept a close eye on the oil drain plug and noticed some seepage. Replaced the "upgrade" brass one with one of the old plastic pieces I had on hand. I realized when I used the brass style, I didn't feel the click when it seated into place like I do with the plastic ones.
03-21-2023, 01:59 AM
Things like that I buy from Porsche, not ebay or Amazon, etc. I realize Porsche does not make them, but they do have standards. Just look at the new "spares" all nicely red anodized drain plugs that my friend had on hand that would not fit. 