Engine Oil Drain Bolt, swapped by last owner, with a non-factory fill bolt, with a crush washer. Why? 2006 Ford Mustang V6 Base

[new2mustangs]

I'm doing an oil change next week. I sprayed the engine oil drain bolt with brake clean. I ordered a ford oil filter online. Should I also order a ford factory drain plug also? Can anyone guess why some "mechanic" would've done this? I read ford mustangs do not use crush washers. This washer, is super large and doesn't fit, my pictures don't show it so well. I want to remove this and install a factory drain bolt from ford. Any opinions?

 

[crjackson]

One guess …

Quick oil-change shop lost the original, then had to replace it with something handy ASAP.

 

[86GT351]

Probably done by a NON-Ford facility and that is what they had. Could also be a slightly oversized bolt. When you remove it if the thread looks like it is a self tapper then it is oversized.

 

[new2mustangs]

I got the oil drain pan bolt removed. I had to cut the crush washer off. Its 14 MM. Should I buy a genuine Ford drain pain oil bolt, or just buy new crush washer and use this aftermarket drain bolt? This bolt turned out to be leaking with the crush washer malformed.

 

[skwerl]

Stop by any auto parts store and buy some replacement washers/gaskets for the 14mm oil drain bolt. They are supposed to be changed every time but most only change them when they start to leak.
Only go to the ford dealer if you want to be raped on the cost and pay $5 each for 50 cent washers.

 

[86GT351]

The washer is mandatory. Where you get it is up to you. That plug is an aftermarket magnetic plug. Important question for you. Is there any metal flake on it at all?

 

[new2mustangs]

The washer is mandatory. Where you get it is up to you. That plug is an aftermarket magnetic plug. Important question for you. Is there any metal flake on it at all?

Hi and thanks for the replies. The magnet had microscopic, covered, all black, before I sprayed it with brake clean. I didn't see any silver at all. It was the blackest engine oil I've ever came across in my life. Very neglected, previous owner was running a genuine ford oil filter though.

 

[Miker]

I just changed my oil a few days ago. While I use a vacuum pump down the dip stick which pulls out all but a few ounces I still pull the plug to get the last bit since the car is jacked up anyway to get to the oil filter. My plug which I assume is original had an o ring type seal which fits in a recess in the flange.

 

[86GT351]

Hi and thanks for the replies. The magnet had microscopic, covered, all black, before I sprayed it with brake clean. I didn't see any silver at all. It was the blackest engine oil I've ever came across in my life. Very neglected, previous owner was running a genuine ford oil filter though.

If you really want to get more specific, cut the oil filter open and inspect for debris.

 

[Juice]

Thats a magnet drain plug. I'd keep it with new washer.