I have a smaller torque wrench for doing those kinds of jobs, actually now that I think about it the large torque wrench bottoms out at 29 nM, and my small one tops out at 29 nM. Are you sure on the torque spec for that job? I could have sworn it was very low and in Nm not ft/lbs.

Your problem may be that your oil plug needs to be replaced. Doing it by the book, the plug is meant to be replaced each oil change to replace the washer. From the VW dealership you'll get the plug and washer as a single unit.

 

Janitz is "on the money"; the Bentley New Beetle Maintenance Manual calls for a new drain-plug and crushable washer with each oil-change service. The drain-plug torque setting is specified as 30nM/22-ft-lb...

 

I don't think we've ever used a torque wrench for our drain plugs...tighten by hand with a socket has proven to be enough for us with all of our cars. No leaks, no stripping of the bolt. We don't replace the bolt, but we do get a new crush washer.

 

Thanks everyone. I believe the plug I have has a washer that doesn't slide off like you would expect.
On all of my other vehicles, I just socket-wrench-tighten as well and never had any problemos

 

I think Smileybug must have an older plug that is being reused. I asked at the parts desk when I picked up my plug last oil change, the original part had a separate washer but it's no longer current. The current part has the washer as you described as an integrated part.

Plug and washer from VW was only $3 CDN. I do my oil change at 8000km (5000miles), so I figure $3 is not very much, that's basically 3 times a year.

 

My '99 had a separate washer, our '01 Jetta and my '03 GTI do as well. Not sure when that change happened.

 

When i do my oil changes i just make sure that it's hand tight and maybe a little tap on the bottom of a wrench. I never had to use a use a torque wrench.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

I'm going to pick up a new drain plug from my local dealership. Then, this weekend, I'll do a "quick-swap" of the old to the new and then refill any lost oil.

I may get a couple extra plugs while I'm there.

 

I don't doubt that VW recommends replacing the plug each oil change. But, if that is necessary, then the aluminum threads of the pan must be damaged (galled to some degree) each time the plug is threaded in.

I can't imagine how the threads of the steel drain plug become damaged by the aluminum pan. I can see how they might become clogged with the galled aluminum from the pan.

Or, do gassers have a steel pan?

 

In my case, I think it must be more related to the crush washer's effectiveness after multiple oil changes than anything else. This is my first oil change since I got it 2 months ago with just under 50k miles on it.
My other 2 vehicles (Grand Cherokee & Mustang) do not have crush washers or washers at all, and I just hand-tighten them, but their pans are steel.

 

Yes, it's for the washer not the plug. VW put out the combined washer and plug so that their dealer techs wouldn't go and do oil changes and forget the washer.

Yes, they had to redesign the plug so that their dealer techs wouldn't screw up. Any questions about why many VW owners prefer to not go to the dealer?

 

I had to replace the pan on our 01 1.8T. You guessed, stripped drain plug hole. Last oil change? The dealer. I took over after that.

 

I just picked up 5 drain plugs from my local dealership. I have a buddy that works in the Service dept. and gets all parts to me at his cost. He also said that you should just have to "snug them up" and then turn it another 1/8 or 1/4 turn. No need for a torque wrench.

5 drain plugs were less than $10

 

I just picked up 5 drain plugs from my local dealership. I have a buddy that works in the Service dept. and gets all parts to me at his cost. He also said that you should just have to "snug them up" and then turn it another 1/8 or 1/4 tun. No need for a torque wrench.

5 drain plugs were less than $10

I like using the torque wrench because it feels like I'm being a very exacting German engineer.

ZEE TORQUE MUST BE CORRECT!

 

Follow-Up

New drain plug = No more leaks