Anybody out there using a quick drain oil plug?
If so are there any issues, reliability, clearance? And does anyone know the proper plug size offhand (yes I searched)? My 993 is a '95, maybe M22 x 1.5?

They just seem like a good time saving device.

Links to a few choices:

<a href="http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/aero4.htm" target="_blank">http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/aero4.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.oilchangesolution.com/qc.php3" target="_blank">http://www.oilchangesolution.com/qc.php3</a>
<a href="http://www.fumotovalve.com/" target="_blank">http://www.fumotovalve.com/</a>
<a href="http://www.drainplug.com/" target="_blank">http://www.drainplug.com/</a>

The Aeroquip looks nice, but who's gonna see it?
TIA,

 

Just from looking at them I would have on main concern..I didnt see any of the plugs with the magnet to collect debris in your oil. I dont know "truly" how functional this magnet is but I know when changing my oil there has been a small amount debris collected on the magnet. Other then that looks like a good way to keep clean.

 

At least for me, unscrewing the drain plug from the crankcase and reinstalling it is not a huge portion of time for my oil change.

Most of the time is removing things to get access or trying to get access to the filters.

 

96P993,
Yep, I had the same concern about no magnet. I guess you could use one of those magnets that fits on the outside of the oil filter as a substitute, you wouldn't have the 'evidence' staring at you in the face, but at least the debris would be being collected somewhere...cut open the oil filter maybe? (I have cut open a fuel filter before, kind of a rude awakening).
BTW I think the magnet idea is effective, every jet engine I've ever seen has one on the plug (and quick disconnects) at least it collects the ferrous metals, can't hurt.

Jeff 993TT,
Yeah the actual time savings would be minimal, but it is always a juggling act to attempt to pop off the plug without getting hot oil everywhere, or drop the plug in the oil pan. No crush washer to replace too. I'm close to justifying the cost in my mind, just in terms of less mess and aggravation.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

Chuck I agree with the convenience issue. My other concern is longevity of the drain..I certainly wouldn't want oil "accidently" being drained while driving down the road

 

96P993,
NOOOOOOOOOO!
I would not want an impromptu oil drainage while driving down the road...even though you would get that big exclamation point idiot light.

One brand listed above claimed over 2 million sold, and another over 3 million sold, if they were crappy the bad reputation would be out on the internet somewhere. I don't like the idea of safety wire, kind of cuts down on the convenience aspect.

I don't know who makes the quick disconnects for the aerospace industry offhand, but I have never seen one fail catastrophically, and they get used regularly, much more frequently than my oil plug would be removed.

To be sure I would be eyeballing that thing pretty regularly until it earned my confidence.

 

Have you ever removed the oil tank drain? Doubt it! There's more to that plug than just a plug. The end has an extension with an O-ring on it which does NOT look like it's part of a regular drain plug.

Sorry, the OE drain plugs stay in on my 993.

 

Thanks for the input Ray.

<img src="http://www.mindspring.com/~cinque/PersonalPix/drainplug.jpg" alt=" - " />

 

Ray's referring to the TWO drain plugs on our 993's.

The one on the crancase can be easily retrofitted to a quick drain type, but the one on the oil tank cannot. It's definately NOT a standard plug. And since you have to drain both for an oil change, it seems that it's not much of a convience anymore.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

I recently purchase three magnetic drain plugs (for each of our cars) from these people: <a href="http://www.cgenterprises.com/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cgenterprises.com/index.htm</a> (No affiliation) They are in Canada. They were very helpful on the phone and the parts came very quickly. I paid by credit card. They also have all kinds and sizes of washers.

If I recall, the crankcase drain plug is 20X1.5

Tom
’95 993

 

Thanks Jeff & Tom,
I get what you're saying about the convenience factor being cut in half.

Good site Tom.

 

Or you can get the p-car version:

944.107.197.01

There was a thread about magentic drain plugs a while ago here:

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=007867;p=2" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=007867;p=2</a>

 

I'll stay with the OE plug. I have seen the drain plug valves that have the lever that you move to open the valve. If I had one, I would worry all the time when I run over a plastic bag or the like, if it opened the valve or not. True there is a ! light, but at what point will a $150.00 flatbed or worse, engine damage, be worth it. Since you have to pull the oil tank plug, you will already have the tools out. Also the crush washers are only $.50 or something like that. Then again, this is my paranoid inner-self talking here.