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Topic: Oil pan plug - striped threads. (Read 2785 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #51 –
I think the FEMCO is the way to go.  Here is a link to check out.
Oil drain plug - Femco® Drain Technology
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #52 –
We thought about putting in the Fence drain but felt more comfortable with OEM drain plug.  Didn't like the idea of it hanging down. 
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #53 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Had RVMobile Lube over this am to change the oil filters on the M11 and he advised that he unscrewed the M11 drain plug with his fingers.  After the oil had drained he stuck his finger up into the pan opening and pulled out some threads.  Evidently the pan is a composite material with aluminum threads that a steel plug goes into and it is striped.

No more threads.  Last service at Cummins in Mesa,AZ.  Overtightened plug I am guessing.

Have called Beau to see if this is something he can tackle in our CG spot.  I understand that this has occurred before and FOT does swap out these pans and have them machined in a local shop to re-thread the pan.

Your thoughts, input would be appreciated.  :D 

I will also contact FOT tomorrow in search of a replacement pan.

Mays guess is that there is a torque requirement for this plug.  Does any one know what it is?

62ftlbs
1998 u320 3600 build 5200

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #54 –
Sorry you are having this problem.

One of the best answers to the torque requirement question, is for everyone else with aluminum drain pans is to install a drainer system that does not require unscrewing the steel drain plug anymore.

Many prefer "Compact" style from Home - No-Spill Systems.

Important to do it now, as most aluminum (M11, etc) drain pans will have a failure.

Really pays to read the Forum to learn how to prevent problems, rather than only using the Forum how to fix problems. This drain pan problem has been discussed many times over the years.

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #55 –
If your going the replacement pan route why not just take your pan to a machine shop to fix,a good shop will fix in one day,Beau
Rivarge should be able to remove and install a pan.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #56 –
I would retap it to a larger size and put in a no-spill system in. Use the compact ones as
they don't stick down much lower than the standard drain plug.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #57 –
@ Barry and others,

This thread is over 6 years old and Scott & Carol have long sold this coach. If we want to discuss repairing/patching/fixing this problem lets start another thread.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #58 –
Let's not and say we did.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #59 –
Quote from: John44 –
Let's not and say we did.
I never understood why you want stripes on your threads.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Oil pan plug - striped threads.

Reply #60 –
The drain plug hole in my M11 was had almost no threads. I tapped the drain hole to 1 1/8 by 12tpi and obtained perfect threads, so installed a 1 1/8 Fumoto valve with a nipple. Now the aluminum threads are good for life because there is no need to ever remove the Fumoto valve. The differential sits lower than the bottom of the nipple so the only way to break the valve is to back over something.

The one concern I had about the drastic tpi change (from 18 to 12) was the strength of the threads. I researched engineering papers on thread strength and found that in aluminum, 12 tpi is stronger than 18 tpi.

I have available for sale: M26 x 1.5 tap (1.0236" by 17tpi) and M26 x 1.5 Fumoto drain valve (T207N) which would work for a M11 pan with most of the threads. I also have for sale taps for 1 1/8 x 12.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada