viperbob

Tom 993,

I just got a magentized drain plug from Porsche. I'll get the part number and post it tonight.

Dave R.

Rennlist sponsor <a href="http://www.performancemotors.com" target="_blank">www.performancemotors.com</a> also sells magnetized drainplugs, under $9 each (orders over $50 get free ground shipping, so add wipers, filters, etc.).

tom_993

Thanks Dave and Bob, for the info on magnetic drain plugs. I found some at my local Pep Boys. They don’t have Porsche listed in the book, but I can get one based on thread size. Does anyone happen to know the diameter and pitch on the drain plug? E.g. 12X1.25 or whatever? Perhaps they don’t carry the right size, so I might need that Porsche number after all.

I was wondering why manufacturers don’t use these. It seems like such a simple idea. I’ve had one in my truck for the last 140,000 miles. Every time I change the oil, there is a fine silvery color to the oil that’s stuck on the magnet. I wonder if manufacturers don’t think this will effect the longevity of the engine.

In any case, the ones at Pep Boys are $3.50 and less, so even if it’s only for piece of mind, it’s worth it!

Tom
’95 993

viperbob

Tom,

I don't know why they are not standard anymore. My 84 and my 94 911s both had one (can't remember if there were 2, but definitely one in the motor). Maybe it scares too many people when they change their oil and see metal shavings. The scary thing they should worry about is if you don't have the plug, where are the shavings going? The oil filter hopefully.

Anyway, the Porsche part number is 944 107 197 01. Don't know the exact thread and pitch Tom. Sorry.

tom_993

Thanks Bob.

Jeff 993TT

Another option would be to put a magnet on the oil filter(s).

I've seen commercial products like these all over the place. Kind of pricey at $40-$80.

I bet you could get a good quality magnet somewhere for around $10.

I seem to remember somebody on the net doing this and cutting their old filter open to inspect for shavings. Can't remember the link offhand right now though.

tom_993

Re the magnetic drain plug again: I found the size; it’s 20 x 1.5. I ordered one over the net for a whopping $3.25. It’s steel, while the factory one is aluminum. For a while I thought this was a good thing, as it’s very easy to strip the head of the aluminum plug. But then I thought that the aluminum case and steel plug might expand (due to heat) slightly differently, leading to possible leaks or worse. Does anybody have any thoughts about this? Am I worrying needlessly? Or is this something to be concerned about.

On the washers, I’ve used the same washer on my truck for 145,000+ miles. That’s close to 40 oil changes. I’ve never had a leakage problem. On the other hand, you can get generic crush washers of all different diameters at your local auto parts store (I saw them at Pep Boys) for only pennies.

Tom
’95 993

Frank 993 C4S

One last question on this topic which I could not find the answer for elsewhere:

I have a '96 C4S and will be doing my first (DIY) oil change next weekend. The local PO dealer gave me two 22x27 mm seal washers. When I told him that on my '96 car, the seal washer for the engine drain plug should be the smaller 21x26 mm size he told me that the 22x27 mm washer works too. Correct?

Jeff 993TT

Just get both types of washers and replace it with the same one that you take off car.

They are like 50 cents or something.

Good luck on your first oil change!

Jim Sorensen

Solid aluminum cannot be crushed under normal loading. Crush washers are folded over metal with an air space. Loading "crushes" the two pieces of metal together. These can be found in some of the larger industrial supply catalogs such as J&L or Bossard.

bogie23

i changed my oil on my 1995 porsche 911 for the 1st time yesterday, when i removed the drain plug from the engine out fell 2 components 1 long 1 short ,what are these ? put 10 qts. of oil in , nothing registers on the dipstick , thought maybe it has to circulate , drove
it around oil light came on also another red light came on looks like an explanation mark ( ! ) still nothing on the dipstick , did i do something wrong ? im sure i put those components in the right way, what do you suggest i do ?

KNS

Was the engine drain plug on the left side, bottom of the case? Can you give a better description of what fell out? Engine oil level must be checked while the engine is nice and warm, engine idling and on a level surface.

bogie23

one of the components fits nicely in the drain plug, looks like a sleeve , the other looks like , picture a tin can open on one side only , but obviously small enough to come out of drain hole, i have a picture in my phone i can send you via text ,need your phone#, engine needs to be running to check oil level ? if this be the case, i might have found what i was doing wrong, from past experience i never checked oil when car is running , never had a porsche before either, i love this car ! thanks for your help

BesideTheBox

I think you removed the oil pressure relief valve, not the oil pan drain plug. This is not unheard of.

Here is a link to how the valve should be reassembled & replaced.

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...errerid=107762

KNS

That's what I was thinking...

Can you post a picture of the plug you removed?