Chinese knockoff parts failure.

[BlackZenkiS14]

I hardly ever run non legit parts, but I figured "how can you really mess up a drain plug..." I got myself a Circuit Sports magnetic drain plug. This is one of 2 knockoff parts on my car.

But, of course, 5 hours before tech inspection of my biggest track day of the year, I find out. Wasn't even leaning on it, I was using a short open ended wrench even. Guess just poor metal, and fatigue. It was a total scramble at 2 am to find another drain plug, an easy out tool, and 5 more quarts of Mobil1.

Figured I'd share.

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee147/KyleCrangle/20130405_232002_zpsc1d1bc67.jpg (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/KyleCrangle/media/20130405_232002_zpsc1d1bc67.jpg.html)

[MrSanchez925]

Damn how much tq did you put on it when tightening it down the last time?

[Brian04]

Might have been way over-torqued upon install. Just like wheel nuts, most guys don't torque stuff properly and end up damaging threads, nuts etc.

Or you're just stronger than you think, haha!

[BlackZenkiS14]

I've done a lot of oil changes, lol, have had an SR for 8+ years, and this has never happened before.

I really wasn't leaning on it hard at all, and definitely didn't smash it on there.

[racepar1]

An aluminum fastener is a delicate part. I would definitely not necessarily blame the manufacturer for what happened. That plug should be replaced periodically specifically because it's aluminum and is frequently loosened and tightened.

[KOUKIboy]

I'm surprised cause Circuit Sports are good parts, maybe you got excited when your were tightening that thing lol

[MrSanchez925]

Either way lesson learned lol

[Kingtal0n]

One time, I was taking OUT the drain the plug from a chevy V8 oil pan. Well, the plug was sooo tight it literally ripped out a hole in the oil pan. The drain plug was still tight it just twisted the metal around the plug leaving an enormous hole in the oil pan.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Shit, I overtightened mine on because the fucker wouldnt stop leaking...

[Irresistible]

Eventually aluminum drain plugs will most likely do that... Because when you tighten things the metal actually stretches a little. Eventually the metal has stretched and unstretched so many times it gets weak.

I wouldn't necessarily blame the manufacturer for this either, but I'm not blaming you. This is one of the things stopping me from getting a magnetic drain plug myself, they all seem to be aluminum.

[ManoNegra]

Seen them over-torqued and rounded but never sheared off like that.

[brndck]

kinda similar issue, many people, including myself, have had the threads strip out of greddy oil pans. they are just cast metal, and if the oil plug is overtightened (proper torque is only like 8 ft/lbs with a new copper washer) the threads in the pan give out. i helicoiled mine and haven't had an issue since, but its another thing to be wary of.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Good thing I kept my damn RB drain plug...

[BoostSlideWayz]

To be honest i dont believe all chinese knock offs are that bad. I have a turbo from Emotors that has lasted me a couple years and so far i have no shaft play and that thing still spins like its a ball bearing turbo when you just barley spin the turbine.

Obviously ive had mixed experiences but for me im all about budget builds... i like the thought of building a capable car with a much cheaper cost than what most would spend.

In the end your most likely not going to be the top quality as its leading competitor but if it works its getting you through the day.

That drain bolt didnt look too bad of quality, that looks like it was either over torqued or maybe it actually was a bad quality part. But like others stated its not like those steal drain bolts... its not as strong as them, in my opinion since its a softer metal it doesnt require much torque. Just a snug fit should be fine.

Then again i dont know your situation like you do. Im just saying its possible it was over torqued but im sure you know your stuff.

[jamg]

da fuq? did you torque it down to 100lbs or something?

i only do mine fairly hand tight... did you use a washer? i dont see one..

[Frank_Jaeger]

Without even reading a word of this thread, I can guarantee it's your fault and that you overtorqued your drain plug.

[KiLLeR2001]

New copper washers from Nissan after every oil change. That way you don't have to apply improper torque to prevent leakage.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/nissan-oil-pan-drain-plug-washers-pack-p-54.html?cPath=1418_7645_8710&

[dawagarage]

time to upgrade to a steel, magnetic drain plug.
& less torque

[59bhp]

its an aluminium fastener which is hollowed out, i bet you could break that doing it up finger tight!

one of the problem with chinese parts is the lack of certified material used, whilst the likes of volk etc use 7025 forged aluminium for strength (from a reputable supplier), these small producers of parts just get any old impure, non quality materials. As a result of incorrect specification from the manufacture, failures tend to happen.

That and using non specialist aluminium for a fastener is a bit silly.

see if you can get a magnetic steel one to replace it!

edit: oop, hotboiblaze beat me too it

[Matej]

New copper washers from Nissan after every oil change.
New oil pan after every oil change, if you are properly low. Viddy well.

[ixfxi]

thats not a knockoff part, its just not a strong part.


i dont believe what everyone else says, that you over-torqued it. i call bullshit on that. i just think you need to learn the difference between something good and something that is not good.

one friend ran aluminum lug nuts. i threw them in the garbage and installed steel lug nuts (gorilla or mcgard). i didnt care that he spent money on them, i basically told him if he wants me to wrench on his car - get that cheap shit out of my face.

[s0fa king]

i enjoy all the defense of cheap shit in this thread. really says a lot about the 240 community.

[xoxide]

one friend ran aluminum lug nuts. i threw them in the garbage and installed steel lug nuts (gorilla or mcgard). i didnt care that he spent money on them, i basically told him if he wants me to wrench on his car - get that cheap shit out of my face.
It never fails theres at least one person at an event with aluminum lug nuts that gets stripped and they sit there for an hour trying to fix their shit.

[greenwood]

wait wait wait, you used an easy out and it worked?

http://assets0.ordienetworks.com/images/GifGuide/clapping/seinfeld.gif

[babowc]

i enjoy all the defense of cheap shit in this thread. really says a lot about the 240 community.

No one is defending the part, but only stating the fact that aluminum parts shouldn't be overly tightened. Same goes for Rays lug aluminum lug nuts, it might be $100 for a set, but it follows the same properties of metals.

Don't be so ignorant.

[Shift n Drift]

easy outs are the shit, use them on planes all the time, and that is stupid crazy, how many oil changes have been on that plug and washer?

[Kaifd3s]

Should have gone for the Greddy ;)

[ShadowDrifter]

I have used CS drain plugs since they came out and I change my oil every 1500-2000 miles and I have NEVER even come close to doing this. Even with alum. parts it still takes a bit of tq to do this. So idk what you did man but it wasn't normal.

[TwinZ]

Ouch. That sounds about like my luck with these knock off parts.

[Jersthecool]

You must have really been reefin on it or something because I have a circuit sport oil pan and drain plug and you can tell it's more fragile then a standard metal one but I used a decent amount of force to tighten mine and it's been awesome so far.

[59bhp]

Same goes for Rays lug aluminum lug nuts, it might be $100 for a set, but it follows the same properties of metals.

Don't be so ignorant.

unless this was made from forged 7025 aluminium there not even close to the same,

[babowc]

unless this was made from forged 7025 aluminium there not even close to the same,

Rays lugnuts, will also strip.
Put enough pressure on it, and it will fail.

[conrad_s13.5]

A brand-name doesnt change metal properties

[ch1873857]

i love this! OP blames parts. Members blame OP. THIS is the zilvia I once new..

OP.. use the stocker man.. save your self the headache. Nothing I hate on a car more other than roof scoops is aluminum bolts..

Good luck.