1.9 case.  I use a torque wrench every time (20' #). When my engine was rebuilt I had to put a time-cert (correct term?) in the oil plug (case was new to me).  I consistently have a minor drip (using proper copper washer). Maybe I'll increase the torque to 25' # next time?

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On Jul 10, 2013, at 2:34 AM, Aristotle Sagan <killer.jupiter@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> There is a difference in responsibility between MY CAR and someone else's.
> 
> On Wed, Jul 10, 2013 at 12:33 AM, Scott Ohana <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>wrote:
> 
>> But you don't use a torque wrench on vanagon drain plugs ..right ?
>> No one does.'
>> not that I ever heard of anyway.
>> 
>> 
>> On 7/10/2013 12:23 AM, Aristotle Sagan wrote:
>> 
>> I also don't strip out the plug.
>> 
>> On the equipment I do tighten steel into aluminum ($350K robotic systems),
>> damned straight we use torque wrenches and they do have specs.
>> 
>> tim in san jose
>> 
>> On Wed, Jul 10, 2013 at 12:20 AM, Scott Ohana <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>  If it's in a book somewhere it's probably 18 to 23 ft lbs, would be my
>> guess.
>> and yet..
>> in 50 years of nearly full time car repair I have never heard of anyone using
>> a torque wrench on a drain plug.
>> It's not the standard..
>> 'just right by hand' is the standard.
>> 
>> Do YOU tighten your drain plugs with a torque wrench ?
>> if so..first time I've ever heard of anyone doing it.
>> 
>> and there are a few techs that make everything 'gorilla tight' ......and
>> very incorrectly.
>> 
>> On 7/9/2013 11:33 PM, Aristotle Sagan wrote:
>> 
>> Did you ask them what torque spec they tightened it to?
>> Expect blank looks on their faces.
>> 
>> tim in san jose
>> 
>> On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 11:12 PM, Scott Ohana <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> yup..
>> that happens sometimes.
>> Not too commonly.
>> One of the vanagons I have cared for over the last few years has that
>> issue.
>> 50 others do not.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On 7/9/2013 11:00 PM, C Snyder wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> I had an almost bad experience today with my 1987  Vanagon's oil plug.
>> 
>> 
>> I had taken it to where I usually take my van for repairs and oil
>> changes. In a short while they came and told me that when they went to
>> replace the oil plug, the plug stripped out in the bottom of the engine. I
>> really do not understand this as I have never had any problems with the
>> plug. they said that since that plug has been taken out so many times, that
>> because it is aluminum, and the plug is steel that some times they will
>> strip out the threads.
>> 
>> 
>> To fix it, they were able to put in an over sized "Piggy back" oil  plug.
>> It seems to be ding fine but, am just wondering if any one else has ever
>> had this type of problem as I have been on this list several years but,
>> have never heard it mentioned here before.
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks for any ones opinion on this.
>> 
>> 
>> Chris S.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Where ever you are, there you be. Unless you're driving my van, in which
>> case, you ain't got there yet.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Where ever you are, there you be. Unless you're driving my van, in which
>> case, you ain't got there yet.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> --
> Where ever you are, there you be. Unless you're driving my van, in which
> case, you ain't got there yet.