The 100 Forum

I’ve somehow stripped the threads on my aluminum oil sump (last fall before storing for winter). I reinstalled using a sealant but I obviously need to remedy the problem; I’d like to do that without removing the sump. I’m thinking of using an ”ECO -PLUG”-from Amazon. Described as “ Oil Drain Plug for DAMAGED Aluminum Oil Pan Tapered Thread Size 12mm-16mm Thread Diameter 3/4” Short Thread Non-Recessed Drain Hole.” Anyone have any experience using this plug or experienced the same problem? Additionally, can anyone tell me the size of the original drain plug?
Thanks

David--

The product literature says: "Eco-Plug Hand Installs Magnetically In Seconds & Removes Safely With Vice Grips". I'm not sure how something "installing magnetically" is going to work on your AL pan, and the concept of its being held in by "rubber" is positively scary!

Please consider the cost of a new sump versus the cost of a new engine should this device fail. I recommend that you bite the bullet, buy a new sump in either steel or AL and keep the present one as a good reminder to choke up on the wrench or ratchet handle when tightening things.

BTW I always safety wire drain plugs on the engine, transmission and rear axle housing. Get one of the specialized tools to neatly twist the safety wire, preferably terminating it to a point on the engine, transmission or axle housing so that both ends of the wire vibrate simultaneously.

Good luck!

---

Best--Michael Oritt
1954 Austin-Healey 100 (street)
1959 Elva MK IV sports racer (track)
1961 Ginetta G4 (track)



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2025-03-19 08:54 AM by Michael Oritt.

There's nothing rubber about it except for the search title. The magnetic refers to the strange removeable center piece steel to steel.

Reviews are OK but the taper looks very aggressive and there is the risk of cracking the pan when over tightening - as does happen with the OEM tapered drain plug for our gearbox.

I have an aluminum pan and would instead consider an oversize flanged bolt such as Amazon's
Dorman 65217 Oil Drain Plug Oversize M14-1.50 S.O., Head Size 18Mm Universal Fit
4.4 out of 5 stars (668) $5.83

Pick the smallest possible oversize, drill and tap accordingly.

Thanks; will take your input into consideration.

I think I’ll order this and give it a try. Good reviews. I wasn’t sure how it worked but I guess it’s a bit oversized for the original hole and the pan being aluminum shouldn’t be that difficult to thread in. Decision will be to whether or not to take off oil pan/sump or try leaving it on. Thoughts?
Thanks

Before ordering any oversize bolt you first need to know the diameter of the original bolt and not guess.
Best permanent less risky solution is to drill/tap the pan to match the chosen metric diameter and pitch.

Or for the quick fix many "self tapping" sizes are listed. Here's one where you can specify a size that might fit best. The outer part screws in permanently and the inner is removed for (slow) draining. Looks like self tapping but not so described.
TUCKBOLD for Car Motorcycle Boat Oil Drain Plug Anti Leakage Engine Oil Pan Drain Bolt Screw Thread Repair Silver Tone with 3 Gasket Copper.

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Thanks; will make that measurement when I get the car ready for the spring. I may take the removed pan to a local machine shop that specializes in auto/engine work and have them make the decision to use the oversize bolt I’ve ordered on Amazon or tap themselves to fit a proper sized bolt.