2001 Acura TL

FUNGUY4

MEMBER
2001 ACURA TL
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
131,000 MILES

Hi, my TL when I looked under the car had a little oil build up on the bottom of the oil pan. I took it to a Quick Lube place and they told me that it looked like the oil pan bolt had been slightly over tightened. He said not to worry about it until my next oil change and when I have it changed to go buy a bolt one size up from the one that's on there. He said between my 7k mile oil change he would be surprised if I lost half a quart. What are your thoughts on this matter?

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 AT 7:32 AM

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Oil leaks should never taken for granted. It might leak slowly now but the drain plug is at the bottom of the pan and any impact can further loosen the plug, which can cause it to drop off since the threads are not good.

Using an oversized drain plug is one way of doing it but you have to tap the hole to make the plug fit. Getting a longer drain plug with more threads to use the inner thread is another option, which is easier.

To avoid overtightening, always replace the drain plug washer.

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Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 AT 12:51 PM