flat6ix

Hey all, started doing an oil change on a recently acquired 997.1 CS and have run in to a bit of a snag, no washer came out with the drain plug. Almost certain it didn't fall in to the catch container but planning to double check.

What I'm having trouble with to start with before trying measures to remove it is even confirming for sure there is a washer there, can't find any close up pictures of the oil pan on 997.1s to try to tell but it looks like the mating surface is marred up a little bit so maybe someone else previously also tried to remove it if in fact that is the washer. Can anyone tell from these pics if there is a washer present?

Also if so, any tips on how to remove, I read about lightly tapping with a screwdriver with blade pressed on the edge of the washer but not clear to me if it should be placed on the edge closer to the opening or further outwards on the washer away from the drain plug opening.

Wayne Smith

I could be wrong on my phone interface, but it looks like the threads continue to the very edge of the mating surface. That would imply that there was no washer to remove (or it fell in the pan).

Graufuchs

That looks like its part of the pan and not a gasket. The gasket diameter should be smaller than that also. Hope that helps.

groovzilla

I'm not trying to cause an uproar but that looks to me like a stainless insert? I thought the original oil pan drain plug threads were Aluminum/part of the pan and reason they can cross thread so easily if not careful?
Im sure a more experienced owner will chime in.

anewman

Looks like the milled surface to me, not a crush washer. I’d put the plug in with a new crush washer, fill it up, and enjoy the holiday.

ADias

To me... it looks like a washer, but if not, where is the washer that should have been there? Did it drop down in the used oil bucket?

If that is a washer use a curved pick and lightly see if you can insert it and remove the thing.

On second look... yeah maybe not a washer as I do not see a surrounding space at the periphery. Thus, my first question remains - where is the washer?

steveP911

I went through the same thing when I did my first oil change. I could have sworn I checked all around the drain pan. Tried to pick it out from the pan and it wouldn't budge. That's because it was the seat, not a washer. Looked exactly like your photo. Dollars to donuts your crush washer is in the drain pan. Good luck!

BTW, I found a cheap source for these washers, and they are Porsche numbered.

Wayne Smith

A few things from this Forum ...

DEEFILL M18 X 1.5 Oil Drain Plug...
And (from Petza)

Hilitchi 180-Pcs Metric Dowty...

Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 191K miles

Regarding the washer... I recommend you shop around as you can save pennies!! Yes, pennies... and they can ad up, sometimes to even a dollar or so! Yea, you too can become rich. The Porsche washer is aluminum 18 x 24 x.1.5 mm. That is all you need to know and now can buy a bag of thousands for pennies. You can do oil changes in your car for at least 127 years (just doing quick math) for just pennies.

Now if you really want Porsche quality, then they run around $2 per washer... stupid high? I dunno, it is known to those that know such things that can be known, that Porsche tests every one for quality and conformity to their standards.

Let's see if a washer thread can be as compelling as an oil thread.

BTW, if you are the neurotic sort... something rare around here... you may consider buying an LN magnetic drain plug for around $30. There is nothing more entertaining... exciting.. thrilling... than removing that thing with no idea what will be stuck on it. Broken bolts? Shards of German metal? An old watch or maybe even a Faberge egg! Yes, you just don't know......

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

HEY GET THIS!!! Look what I found on Pelican... a Porsche AGA oil drian plug removal tool... cripes, I thought a punch and hammer was all I needed but no... you gotta have the right tool for the job... only $449.00.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...432&DID=168520

flat6ix

Thanks all for the quick responses!!

Looks like majority consensus is it is part of the pan so I'll likely just button it back up with a new drain plug and washer (bought the genuine Porsche ones from FCP Euro) and monitor for any leaks. As for what happened to the old washer if it's not in the drain pan, maybe the person who last did it forgot or something, I don't have any record of most recent oil change so no idea where it was done or if done by someone competent though at least I hadn't seen any signs of leaks around the oil pan.

KLS

I'd take a dental pick and see if it would pop out, but like others I don't think there's a washer there.

Wayne Smith

Hey, I see those three included drain plugs are hex head bolts rather than allen.

Petza914

Also, if not too late, regardless of which plug you use, only tighten it to 19 ft lbs. not the spec from Porsche that's in the 30s

RoadtripRyan

Why would you only use 25Nm instead of 40 Nm?

Petza914

Because using the Porsche spec strips out the aluminum threads on the sump plate over time. Lots of people have ruined their pans or plugs using the Porsche spec. In fact, the magnetic plug from LN comes with a label over the drive socket hole that has the spec I gave shown on it.