How to Tighten an Engine Oil Drain Plug

An improperly tightened engine oil drain plug can cause an engine oil leak. At the same end if you over tighten you oil plug you can strip the threads inside the oil pan.

Things You'll Need

  • Wrench
  • Oil Plug
  • First remove the engine oil drain plug with the right size wrench and drain the oil into a container.

    Wrench
  • Once the engine oil has fully drained place the drain plug back into the drain hole.

    Draining Oil
  • Run the plug down with your hand until it stops flush with the oil pan.

  • With a wrench tighten the plug very lightly until it stops and is only snug with the pan. Then tighten the plug 1/4 turn. That's it your done. Don't over tighten your engine oil drain plug. If you do you run the risk of striping out the oil pan threads. Now that you are done don't forget to get rid of your used engine oil in a safe appropriate manner.