Engine Block Drain Plug Installation

[wxm]

I went to install the later Toyota engine block drain plug 90910-09129 over the weekend, and torqued it to 22 ftlb per factory spec, but it drain tube ended at 2 o’clock position when it was bottom out. I left it that way as I could not think of a better way adjust it, certainly do not want to over tighten it. Borrow mtrdud's picture below, somehow he was able to get it installed at 6 o'clock position. But the actual plug is to be torqued at 9 ftlb, I assume the base need to be at the higher torque. I went with factory spec of 22 ftlb and it did not end the right positon.

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[robnicko]

why not use the original type plug?

 

[wxm]

The type allows to insert plastic drain tube over when draining. It would be much less messy.

 

[DivByZero]

Add a washer to act as a shim?

 

[landtank]

I can’t remember ever removing the block drain plug in any of my vehicles since I stated driving in 1975

 

[VPP]

I went to install the later Toyota engine block drain plug 90910-09129 over the weekend, and torqued it to 22 ftlb per factory spec, but it drain tube ended at 2 o’clock position when it was bottom out. I left it that way as I could not think of a better way adjust it, certainly do not want to over tighten it. Borrow mtrdud's picture below, somehow he was able to get it installed at 6 o'clock position. But the actual plug is to be torqued at 9 ftlb, I assume the base need to be at the higher torque. I went with factory spec of 22 ftlb and it did not end the right positon.

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View attachment 4212163

Is the green stuff around the threads pipe thread tape or something else?

 

[Fj80oregon]

why not use the original type plug?

The original one will not fit, they changed the design on the new short blocks so you need the updated part.

 

[Kernal]

"Is the green stuff around the threads pipe thread tape or something else?"

Green stuff is factory applied (dry) thread sealer.

FWIW the threads are BSPT (British Standard Pipe Taper):

 

[wxm]

Is the green stuff around the threads pipe thread tape or something else?

Yes, it does have thread lock seal the plug, but if the inner plug torques at 9 ftlb, I don't think the threadlock itself could hold 9ftlb.

 

[MissahPapaJ]

Yes, it does have thread lock seal the plug, but if the inner plug torques at 9 ftlb, I don't think the threadlock itself could hold 9ftlb.

When the outside diameter is larger on the block drain housing with the thread sealant than the inside diameter of the inner plug they don’t see the same amount of torque transferred from one to the other due to friction coefficient property’s between diameters…. This makes more sense in my head than I think it comes off in text but it’s for sure a thing. Also any pipe thread is tapered and will cause more friction as the specified torque is applied and the inner plug is regular thread with a plug at the end ( think brake bleeder nipple and how that seals brake fluid in a caliper ) same applies to the brass portion of the block drain.