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TSI: Drain Bolt Woes

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t0psh0tta

New member
Not long ago I picked up a used '12 GTI. About 2500 miles into my ownership, the drain bolt started leaking. I figured it was about time for an oil change anyway, so I picked up a new (19mm) bolt and washer from the dealer. It leaked immediately.

What I had on the car was a T45 Torx bolt with a hollow crush washer. I replaced it with a standard 19mm bolt and alloy washer at my local dealer's recommendation.

For those that have been through this, is it worth it to retry the Torx drain bolt / washer combo (new of course), or should I just seal the pan until I have time to replace it? If i do replace the pan, has this issue been rectified, or will I need to worry down the road?

Attached is a pic of the new and old bolts for reference.

P.s. I torqued the bolt to 22 ft lbs, and slightly beyond when it immediately leaked.



 
smrtypants44

smrtypants44

Go Kart Champion
It sounds like they partially stripped the pan once and put in a bigger bolt as a stop gap measure. You'll probably end up having to get a new pan unfortunately. This happened to me once and we just had to replace the pan.
 
GTIMKV20

GTIMKV20

APR Stage I
I have the same issue as VW over-torqued it for me on my last free oil change and it has a super slow leak ever since even tightening it with a fresh bolt had no benefit. My plan on my next oil change is to use another OEM bolt (not the stupid torx one) with some plumbers tape to seal the gaps. Inevitably I'll be in for a new oil pan, just not looking forward to swapping it out. Thanks VW. And this is why I DIY everything.. should have just taken the oil on that last change and not even let them do it.
 
green hell

green hell

Ready to race!
after the repair or replacement, i'd look into a fumoto drain valve.
 
bmc333

bmc333

Ready to race!
green hell said:
after the repair or replacement, i'd look into a fumoto drain valve.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I'm going to do - I've had the slow leak issue also and hoping the drain valve will make a better seal. If not, I'll probably be needing a new pan also.
 
L

lilfleck

Go Kart Champion
green hell said:
after the repair or replacement, i'd look into a fumoto drain valve.
Click to expand...
bmc333 said:
This is exactly what I'm going to do - I've had the slow leak issue also and hoping the drain valve will make a better seal. If not, I'll probably be needing a new pan also.
Click to expand...
If there is a slow leak due to stripped threads on the pan, then the fumoto valve is likely going to fail. It will rely on the rubber washer that they use; however, oil will be seeping down to the gasket and I have to imagine eventually getting by.

The longer bolt should fill the entire (or most) of the bolt shaft.
 
bmc333

bmc333

Ready to race!
lilfleck said:
If there is a slow leak due to stripped threads on the pan, then the fumoto valve is likely going to fail. It will rely on the rubber washer that they use; however, oil will be seeping down to the gasket and I have to imagine eventually getting by.
Click to expand...

Right, hence the crossing of my fingers it will work and that I don't need a new pan. The plug I have in there now is working like a charm so there might be hope.
 
C

Cryptic19111

Go Kart Champion
drain it well, sop up the oil in the threads, slap a little jb-weld on the threads, and thread in a fumoto drain valve. That should cement it to the pan and seal it
 
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lilfleck

Go Kart Champion
Cryptic1911 said:
drain it well, sop up the oil in the threads, slap a little jb-weld on the threads, and thread in a fumoto drain valve. That should cement it to the pan and seal it
Click to expand...

That seems like it would work... I would be careful about how much jb you put in there. I'm sure you wouldn't want that floating around your oil and getting sucked into the oil pump.
 
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Speeddemon691

Go Kart Champion
I had a leaking ECS drain plug and tighten it and it leaked less. But it was very weak metal compared to the oem plug, didn't want to strip the head off. I had the same issue with oem plug leaking but gave it another 1/4 turn and leak free.

Edit: I don't know why but on this car I have to tighten the oil drain plug past the point of other cars I've owned. To the point of where u start to worry just a little bit. Not hulk hogan strength but past the norm.
 
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t0psh0tta

New member
This is such a PITA, as I'm on track to work 60+ hours this week. If I can make time, I'll just JB Weld the drain bolt in the morning. I've got a pan on order.
 
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