Should you use PTFE Tape for your Car Oil Drain Plug ? Let's test.

[@joevignolor4u949]

I've used the tape many times on an oil plug if the seal on the plug is damaged and never had a problem. Any tape that gets in the oil will end up in the oil filter. I suspect the pieces of tape the original poster found in the oil were flushed out of the drain hole threads in the oil pan and weren't actually inside the engine.

[@zappingbaby7192]

If you removed the oil out of the oil drain hole that that the PTFE tape wrapped bolt came out of, you are just seeing bits of tape that's left on the threads, not necessarily what's made it into your oil pan. If you wrap the tape under the oil line you won't have an issue of the tape making its way into the oil pan.

[@vinegar008]

I've used PTFE tape on oil drain plug for roughly 15 times, not once I've encounter any problem. Furthermore, it allows a perfect seal with just 20~ nm of torque. What you do is apply a thin layer (just one layer) between the plug and the washer, then another thin layer onto of the washer. It basically acts as a gasket. NEVER APPLY ON THE THREAD because that will get into the oil that's in the engine.

[@hkpr-ro6ui]

Thanks for this tip. I changed my motorcycle oil at the weekend and fitted a new sump plug but I couldn't get rid of a slow drip. Untightened the plug and used your tip and it sealed it perfectly. Many thanks.

[@Leo-tt7ly]

nice, this is the advanced info I was seeking.

[@unkertech]

Ok, the PTFE have a very low chances of damaging the engine. However, can't deny the fact that it does have a slight chance of doing so. Thing is, why use it when the washer is sufficient to avoid leaks?

[@UNDERGROUNDCALLING0161]

As a plumber this is the rite way .. don’t put it in the thread same with olives 👌

[@rikityrik]

I’m confused by your statement, I mean, it seems detailed enough, I’m just slow, I guess. Lol. I’ve used Teflon tape many, many times. But you’re saying not to wrap the threads, at all? Just curious what you’re describing.

[@beast11135]

I used it on my car the last oil change and it slowed down a leak I had a lot. I decided to try it this time without the tape and the leak is back. So I'm going to add it again and hope for the best. Most of the tape I put on was still on the drain plug and I didnt see any in the oil.

[@rklos11]

It helps if you ensure to apply the tape in the right direction, so when you tighten the bolt, it doesn't unwrap the tape.

[@robertbobin5053]

Always wrap teflon tape, c.c.w.

[@rklos11]

@@robertbobin5053 when the threaded end is facing me, I would do it clockwise, if I was looking top down from the bolt head, I would do it counterclockwise. Works for me 🤷‍♂️

[@Robbyrool]

The bits of tape that came out were likely in the plug hole and flushed out with the oil. It cannot get into the oil pan if if does not extend into the pan, ie if it ends in the threaded plug hole. You wrapped it in the wrong direction which makes it unwrap as you screw in the plug. Thread tape is good for metal on metal or plastic on plastic threads to seal tiny gaps. But I would not use it over a rubber gasket as that would likely degrade the performance of the gasket.

[@PT-ie2xj]

I've been using teflon as a bolster to the existing gasket for years without a problem. However, I do notice that consistently my oil plugs loosen enough that mid oil change interval I snug it up again. While I've never had a plug fall out, I suspect it could happen brcause of the teflon. I know somebody that had a plug fall out, but there was no teflon tape involved and he thinks the oil-change shop left his plug loose.

[@alvarohernandez2764]

Well ofcurse when you drain it the tape from the threads should drain too. How is this proof that it was loose in the engine?

[@scorpio9578]

As said before, you MUST apply tape in the correct direction: opposite to the way you show! Thick tape is often used on gas fittings and is applied in a single layer. Another tip, if you find the sump thread is stripped of worn, wrap dental floss around the bolt threads, one layer in the correct direction, maybe remove the sealing washer, to give you a little more thread

[@fzy55]

yeah, he applied the tape the wrong way.

[@nirmal148]

Oilmpump strainers are designed to suck oil from bottom most part to avoid cases where at low oil levels and high gradients the pump doesn't suck air

[@patriciarivera9346]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I had been using it, but I will never put Teflon tape on my oil plug drain again.

[@fzy55]

The engine’s oil pump moves the oil directly to the filter, where it enters from the holes in the perimeter of the base plate. The dirty oil is passed (pushed under pressure) through the filter media and back through the central hole, where it re-enters the engine. So any debris will be caught before entering the engine, not to worry about it!

[@italianozuzu1232]

I use it on return line on my coolant and it fix the leak .

[@dcavalli9]

Wouldn't the oil filter catch the pieces of tape?

[@blondiejoe]

yep

[@ronaldsoriano7388]

That is burn for the result ?

[@armunro]

How is going to get in the engine if its wrapped around the threads at the bottom of the plug (lowest point)? I have been doing this for years and saves the time of finding or buying a new seal, and most importantly stops an oil leak.

[@dallas6028]

There is an oil scanner in the tube that goes up to the oil pump. most of that won't get past that, even if it does the oil filter will filter it out. But like you say it dissolves so it could be sticky residue but with how hot the oil gets this should never stick. Good video tho, thanks i did learn something. I use it mainly as my (tread lock) which is the main reason why i was looking for info on it would actually dissolve or melt then it would come loose and out.

[@isitfixedyet891]

Hey Dallas, I am glad that it helped you a bit. What you write is also correct. I had a problem with a leak from the drain plug and did not manage to fix it though the tape. The way I fixed it was to remove the pan, drill the thread, thread M20 instead of M16 and put in a new plug. Cheers

[@douglasshinne8007]

I have just removed the tape on my transmission fluid plug because there is no oil filter in there. Thanks, here S. Korea.

[@mediaquest123]

Very good video. Thanks for your help, i also agree with you teflon tape can introduce a variable that could clog your oil pump and cause engine failure, not worth the risk, use a rubber o ring type gasket at drain plug but no rtv nor teflon tape can kill ur engine.

[@guowenchen2582]

Drain plug seals usually are very cheap, not worth to altenator it.

[@ammarabbasi3230]

Hi! Great video and very useful! Can you make a video on how to take out where the A/C exits (where it enters for the cabine).

[@ammarabbasi3230]

I mean above the radio control there are 2 A/C exits, how can I pull out that for clean it? Thanks

[@natvega1]

You should have used the regular thin tape everybody else uses not that 10 ply.

[@ioijiopjkiopjkp]

Of course the tape disintegrates when you remove the plug and ends up in your drained oil, it never got into your engine.

[@AqwBroders]

Hey! Could you please do a video on how to replace wheel bearings? Kind Regards.

[@isitfixedyet891]

Hi Aqw, You mean front or rear?

[@AqwBroders]

Is It Fixed Yet ? Front.

[@1marcelfilms]

put some on the gearbox drain plug because it had nothing at all. i keep an eye on it so far no leaks

[@isitfixedyet891]

I did the same for gearbox. But the temperature of oil in the gearbox is much less.

[@1marcelfilms]

works

[@otto-pd3xv]

@@1marcelfilms is it still holding?

[@1marcelfilms]

otto no problem

[@otto-pd3xv]

@@1marcelfilms thanks

[@momoshark4878]

You made it wrongly you should make the teflon as a thread and screw it around the end of the plug.

[@johnussss]

It's made from a petrochemical bi product, should not be used in automobiles or air conditioning or any where it may come into contact with other petrochemical products.

[@aum5359]

No evidence of tape gping in the engine, youre just assuming cuz its in your bucket but that was flushed out with the oil. First you used too much tape and wrapped it the wrong way , second , read some proper comments below, and always learn something from those ;) cheers guys :)

[@belgiandip8682]

Reasonable for sure. I will Not use the tape. Thank you!

[@mka8006]

thanks

[@thedobermangang3503]

i use this tape for years and never had a problem...bad video do your homework..

[@minnesota-boston9620]

You rapping the wrong direction for teflon on bolt thread. Wrapping must be clockwise.

[@nirmal148]

If wrapped properly then it doesn't matter