chuck gainor

I changed oil in my 1995 S 420 and noticed I was not able to snug down the oil pan drain plug (12 by 1.5). Spoke to a shop that specializes in MMB repair. I was told the drain plugs are soft the failure must be in the plug threads and not the pan -sounds good so far.

I bought a new drain plug and crush gasket and with my ratchet tried to remove drain plug. Plug turned, but would not back out. Now drain plug turns in either direction, but not with fingers. A few drops of oil on ground already.

So do I remove plug and replace with new plug and hope for the best; pay dealer for a new oil pan (raise the motor) and also replace leaking oil pan gasket? or Fix it so drain plug is glued in place and buy a Topsider?

Current risk is that drain plug could back on its own while driving.

Chuck

lkchris

Yet another example of why oil evacuation through dipstick tube is the preferred method.

mleskovar

If your oil pan gasket is leaking and tightening the pan doesn't help then replace the pan (big $!). If the drain plug is leaking first see if a new plug works then glue it in if it doesn't. Did you strip the plug or did it come that way? No shame in stripping threads, if you haven't stripped a thread then you haven't tightened enough bolts/nuts yet