Sump Plugs - some dealers don't replace them

[Transporter]

Well I stand to be correct, but I believe the coolant used in motor vehicle engines is made up of de-ionised water, which would negate the corrosion.

That's why you can't put de-ionised water in the radiator first, prior to adding coolant concentrate. Always mix the coolant with water first before you pour it in the cooling system. Pure water is very corrosive to Aluminium.

How ever I wouldn't be worried about coper washer but...yes, aluminium washer will give more reliable seal especially on aluminium sump. On steel sumps coper washer will last longer and you don't have to replace it every time.


Hmm. what a waste, replacing drain plug every time you change the oil. I changed oil in my T5 10x and still have original drain plug and... no oil leak!
I suppose it takes less time to chuck the drain plug in the bin, then visually check the washer and sealing surface. Maybe that's safeguard for using less skilled labor for doing oil changes.

Sorry about rant!

[brad]

It does make you wonder whether VW workshops have a recycle bin for thrown away sump plug washers. A single mechanic doing just services (not uncommon in dealerships) would be doing at least 5 oil changes a day (probably 8-10). That's 1100 sump plugs a year minimum. So much for all this clean/green rubbish the auto companies keep trying to paint themselves with.

I'm not quite sure why VW don't do it like BMW - keep the plug & replace the ally crush washer.

[Transporter]

Exactly my point! Not that green, are they! Makes you really wander. The truth is, it looks great in advertising and it gets attention.

[Idle]

Or maybe they know something we don't — such as it's a cheap and nasty monkey metal item that can't be trusted not to crack up if re-used?

[prise]

You keep refering to your engine as a 118TSI but if you want to be precise, I believe it's an EA111 series, (model CAV??). VW have a couple of 118TSI engines. The other is the EA888 series (can't remember the ID code - sorry).

The engine code is CAVD.

Hey look if the dealer was doing the oil change and decided to use a copper washer I wouldn't worry (they're responsible), however as a indiviual I was happy to spend the extra $4 required to follow the procedure in erwin to the letter.

[Preen59]

I can't believe this thread is still going. I really can't.

[Tim]

I can't believe this thread is still going. I really can't.

Them sump plugs are serious business man! in 30 years time there will be a flood of VWs on the market with slightly pitted sump plug mating surfaces.

[brad]

in 30 years time there will be a flood of VWs on the market with slightly pitted sump plug mating surfaces.

No Way! Straight to the wreckers with those ones.

jeebuz, i owned a Mk1 Capri & a Lancia Beta - corrosion of the sump plug was the least of my worries.

[Preen59]

Hahaha... Ahhhh good to see i'm not alone!

[Transporter]

I'm sorry to bring the boring topic back on,
but I wasn't sure about what material is the washer on the VW sump plug made of. I remember reading somewhere that it was steel washer.

So, I found the original sump plug from our Golf that got replaced during first oil change with the new one, in which I bored the hole in lathe and put magnet in it.

I removed the original washer from the plug and it is indeed steel washer.

[prise]

No more boring than rear washer drips so each to his own. I can confirm that the 118TSI motor also uses a steel washer although it appears to have some type of coating on it. It's a good incentive not to over torque the bolt as it won't be the washer doing the squashing!

[franjae]

I had to laugh when I saw this thread! The sump plug will not cause your engine to disintegrate. and to throw away a perfectly fine plug is an absolute waste of resources. The plug will not corrode away in the time between servicing, so you'd know it it is that bad! Man, we are loving our cars to death and killing ourselves over it!

[Preen59]

Yep.. Information without common sense is the death of some people unfortunately. Haha.