Fel-Pro oil drain plug "crush" gasket now PLASTIC... WTH?

[fixizin]

I guess copper or rubber-dipped brass became too pricey? Anyone used this new solid nylon/Delrin looking thing? Results?

OEM part is not leaking, but it's 13+ years old so I figured for upcoming oil change, better safe than change the oil twice.
Cross section is just a sharp cornered rectangle, no bevel or nuance at all to the thing... "just don't seem right"... lol.

Fel-Pro part# 72515

 

[shane96ranger]

I guess copper or rubber-dipped brass became too pricey? Anyone used this new solid nylon/Delrin looking thing? Results?

OEM part is not leaking, but it's 13+ years old so I figured for upcoming oil change, better safe than change the oil twice.
Cross section is just a sharp cornered rectangle, no bevel or nuance at all to the thing... "just don't seem right"... lol.

Fel-Pro part# 72515

There's a plastic one on my Mustang, and it's been there since I bought it in 95. I think it's finally time to replace it. It doesn't leak, but the oil pan gasket does.

 

[Rearanger]

Anyone used this new solid nylon/Delrin looking thing?

I attempt to get copper from the gasket display in Advance Auto. NAPA also can be a source, but as of late, iffy, and you may have to buy the whole drain plug. I always carry a spare in the glove box, especially with nylon.

 

[fixizin]

OK, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to install the nylon one, and keep the oldie as a backup. If it doesn't leak in the first week, she'll probably last.

I'm just spoiled 'cause my 13 yr old Ranger has never leaked a drop of anything... (except A/C condensate = pure distilled H2O)... wanna keep it up.

Fel-Pro... Yet Another company swallowed whole by Federal-Mogul Corp...

 

[fixizin]

I... just... couldn't do it... i.e. when I unscrewed the (a bit TOO HOT) factory plug, I was reminded that I had the deluxe "Sport" version of the plug (lol), i.e. the integral flange seems to have a built-in/pressed-in rubber O-ring, and the rubber looks VIRGINAL... or well-oiled anyway, lol.

OTOH, the Fel-Pro nylon washer is thick, sloppy-oversized diameter... I just couldn't see it doing anything but screwing up a fine situation, so I left it off. Sure enough, no oil leaking before, or after... 16mm offset wrench, cinched, done.

(Love the built-in funnel under the oil filter--Kluge-o-rama--had to Mean Green it after new filter in place... the 4WD Ranger may have been a "Platform Too Far" for the 3.0 Vulcan, lol.)

I'll buy/pull an OEM back-up oil drain plug from the fanciest FX4/Sport-Trac/Exploder I spy at the U-pull-it yard.