Foretravel Owners' Forum

A friend with Cummins M11 engine removed his steel drain plug from the engine's aluminum drain pan to change engine oil.

I saw ALL the threads come out when the plug was reinserted.  Now he had a serious problem. 

I think it may be impossible to prevent eventual thread stripping, even by using a torque wrench to install drain plug.  Aluminum is just too soft to hold perfect threads over many years of removing a steel drain plug several times a year.  I think all M11 owners should carry a new insert, drill & tap, so when it does strip, parts will be available for a tech or owner to install as the coach will be down until the right parts can be found.

Rubber expansion plug was first used as an emergency plug, but later it was learned that expansion plugs do not work.  A few years ago, a Foretravel owner's expansion plug slipped out with hot oil burning his fingers.  So a better solution had to be found.

Cummins drain plug insert part number 68749 ($49), drain plug part number 3055069 ($10.80) and brass washer part number 67946 ($2.90) was purchased.  Drain hole drilled/reamed out to 1-1/4" and NPT tapped, insert installed with Loctite and now there is a new steel hole to accept a steel drain plug.

It seems that there are two styles of inserts, with and without a shoulder for a wrench.  Shoulders are preferred because they can be wrenched into place, locked against drain pan and can be held in place when removing drain plug, to prevent the insert from coming out with drain plug.  Cummins part number now does not have a shoulder, but we were told that Cummins used to have a shoulder insert.

Photo shows insert with shoulder.

OEM screw-in drain plug have advantages:
1) drain plug magnet to attract stray metal in engine oil
2) quicker drain through larger opening to move any debris from bottom of pan.

I didn't care for Fumoto T-203n quick drain plugs because they are taller than regular drain plug and could be damaged from road debris.
http://www.qwikvalve.com/fumoto-t203n-valve.html (http://www.qwikvalve.com/fumoto-t203n-valve.html)

The following is from Fumoto instructions:
1) Drive carefully at all times, and if you run over any foreign object on the road pull over and check the valve for any damage or leak.
2) N-Series valve (with nipple to accept hose) is not recommended for passenger cars with low clearance.

We like the advantage of not cross-threading threads, and are using Femoco Compact drain plugs on our motorhome engine, generator & previous Jeep.
No Spill Engine, Oil and Fluid Drain Plug & Valve System - No-Spill™ (http://www.nospillsystems.com/)

A friend with Cummins M11 engine removed his steel drain plug from the engine's aluminum drain pan to change engine oil.

I saw ALL the threads come out when the plug was reinserted.  Now he had a serious problem. 

I think it may be impossible to prevent eventual thread stripping, even by using a torque wrench to install drain plug.  Aluminum is just too soft to hold perfect threads over many years of removing a steel drain plug several times a year.  I think all M11 owners should carry a new insert, drill & tap, so when it does strip, parts will be available for a tech or owner to install as the coach will be down until the right parts can be found.

Rubber expansion plug was first used as an emergency plug, but later it was learned that expansion plugs do not work.  A few years ago, a Foretravel owner's expansion plug slipped out with hot oil burning his fingers.  So a better solution had to be found.

Cummins drain plug insert part number 68749 ($49), drain plug part number 3055069 ($10.80) and brass washer part number 67946 ($2.90) was purchased.  Drain hole drilled/reamed out to 1-1/4" and NPT tapped, insert installed with Loctite and now there is a new steel hole to accept a steel drain plug.

It seems that there are two styles of inserts, with and without a shoulder for a wrench.  Shoulders are preferred because they can be wrenched into place, locked against drain pan and can be held in place when removing drain plug, to prevent the insert from coming out with drain plug.  Cummins part number now does not have a shoulder, but we were told that Cummins used to have a shoulder insert.

Photo shows insert with shoulder.

Don I think you have a few things mixed up in your question.
  Barry was saying the drain taps do not have the added advantage of the magnet effect  and some do not allow fast drain (to get all contaminates out with the oil).
He feels the one he chose is a middle of the line in that at least the oil comes out faster.
That is the way I read it and if I am wrong-sorry, and I will shut up!!
John

We installed this on our 8.3 but they do have one for your application. Here is a link...Cummins (http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/searchresults.asp?cat=239) It is the same one as "Gam" posted either a T-203 ora T- 203n (nipple on it).
And without dropping the oil pan you might try this 1/2"-20 Double Oversize Piggyback Oil Pan Drain Repair Plug 0.532 Thread 1005 | (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221092236524&item=221092236524&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466) These self tapping double piggyback plugs.