From digest.v6.n808 Tue Jun 24 13:46:23 1997
From: "Farber, Jonathan" <jonathan.farber_at_gs.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 11:18:32 -0400
Subject: <E36> <M3> WARNING on VDO Drain Pan Plugs!

After my previous $100 oil change at my dealership, I figured from all the encouraging words I heard here on the digest that I could change my own oil ... Well, it looks like the Jiffy-Lube guys aren't the only ones who can screw up royally.

Everything went smoothly until it was time to torque in the oil drain pan plug. I use a VDO oil drain pan plug which contains an oil temperature sensor. Well, too bad the instructions that came with it didn't give me any warning about the correct torque spec. I set my new FACOM torque wrench to 22 ft-lbs and started cranking. All of a sudden

• - SNAP! The end of the oil pan plug comes off in the wrench, with the body of the plug screwed in tight. Oh fu**&^&!

Luckily, the "remnant" of the plug was holding and I was able to put oil in and get to the dealership. I was expecting the worst - a new oil pan

• - but thankfully the dealership service department did me some justice and was somehow able to remove the broken-off piece. Only cost me an hour of labor.

I guess I should have realized that the brass fitting would take less torque than the stock fitting, but I can't understand why it didn't come with any indication of correct torque specs. Brett Anderson has since informed me that the torque spec for this part is only 12-15 ft-lbs.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

JF