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What could cause the oil plug to fall out of the pan?
Car: Subaru, Legacy, 2003 - Back to Fix-It - Subaru Legacy Repair Manuals
Q.What could cause the oil plug to fall out of the pan?
I already checked/done: 1300 miles after I had my oil changed in Panama City, Florida, the oil plug fell out of the pan resulting in the complete loss of oil from my engine. The insurance company is contending any number of things could cause the plug to fall out. I am wondering what those things are.
Answer Hello, this is not the first time i have run into this situation on various autos and engines. There are several possibilities. I obviously am in no position to say when or how this happend but can only give a few scenarios.
1: the drain plug was never tightened enough at an oil change
2: the plug was tightened but maybe a little too tight pulling threads and then the plug works loose. ( this could have happened at any oil change)
3: stripped threads in the oil pan or on the drain plug.
4: The drain plug gasket not put on or it cracked and fell off allowing the plug to come loose
5: Vandalism. It can not be ruled out. Soemone could have taken plug out
6: threaded nut that is tact welded in the oil pan could have come loose allowing plug to loosen.
Insurance companies are pretty good at looking as to what happened. If the threads are ok in the pan, they can go one of a couple, ways which may not Include passing blame on last oil change. 1300 miles is a quite a long time before plugs fall out. They do take this into consideration. Again, I have only listed the possibnilities and can not help in saying 1005 what happened or if anyone to blame. If it turns out the shop gets balmed, it does happen. In 32 years i honestly have left a plug loose or 2 but usually catch before it leaves. Been a very long time though
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