Club 80-90 Forums

I have a recon remtec engine from VW Heritage which is purring along.

Need to change the oil and looking my sump plug and the replacement sump plugs I can buy, mine is flush to the sump and you'd take it out with a screwdriver as its a slotted disc.

Is this common. Its dark now but I'm going to get a picture and post it when I can. I think I'll take it to kwik fit to change service it, if they mess it up they can replace it.

I recently learned on here that garages suck the oil out of the engine to avoid problems with sump plugs. Simple really!

I change my oil 3 times a year and I certainly wouldn't want to be paying a garage to do it, money for old rope.

Large slotted disc is not the oil drain its the oil pressure release valve, drian plug is central on the sump

Sucking oil out used to be available at some garage forcourts.Not seen this any more shame realy as it was handy for a quick oil change.

Might try one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-Oil-Fluid ... 5b00ac6f03" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sunray wrote:I think I'll take it to kwik fit to service it, if they mess it up they can replace it.

I wouldn't let Kwik Fit touch my van if it was the last garage on earth ! I have personally seen two of the most stupid (and one was very dangerous) botch ups they have done.

Itchy is of course correct re the slotted thing being the retainer for the pressure release valve. There have been 3 folk recently on here that have had the sump plug stripped thread issue (one is me !) link so if doing it yourself, don't over-tighten it and always use a new copper crush washer (available from 99% of motor factors and is the 14mm type). Using a new washer helps you to not have the temptation to over-tighten

What oil will you use ?

ghost123uk wrote:

Sunray wrote:I think I'll take it to kwik fit to service it, if they mess it up they can replace it.

What oil will you use ?

....and I wonder what oil KwikFit would use....

I am surprised that proper crush washers aren't used - ones like the ones on spark plugs - a flat copper washer isn't really what I would call a crush washer. It is just marginally softer than the alloy if annealed.
These are ones that crush and seal : http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Bargain-Bitz-S ... SH+WASHERS

I lost a sump plug ( and all the oil) on the road because I was stupid enough to listen to a suggestion of a different washer which didn't hold a torque.

After that I would never fit any washer other than vw specified, I always torque to 25Nm

Most of the flat copper washers really need annealing before use anyway - the act of stamping them out must harden them in the cut areas. A quick heating to cherry red is all that is needed. I am surprised that no one on here advocates annealing the washers - the old one can be re-used once annealed. Today's throwaway society or ignorance of how they work? (It makes me wonder as to what is taught in schools today)

I have not undone a sump plug in years now I have a 5ltr vacuum pump and suck it out mess free very easy to use, why bother messing about!

Nothing beats that warm wet feeling as thick black diesel contaminated oil pours over your hand!
(Waits....)

jamesc76 wrote:I have not undone a sump plug in years now I have a 5ltr vacuum pump and suck it out mess free very easy to use, why bother messing about!

I must say that a similar pump has saved me hours over the years. I have a pella pump very good.

Ah, but this pumping method give you any visual meNs of seeing what metallic debris there is on your sump plug?

Most of us probably don't want to know!