ECSTuning Drain Plug Issue

[AudiFLS4]

So I went ahead and purchased the ECSTuning magnetic drain plug. I have now had a slow drip oil leak from that plug. I removed the crush washer it came with and replaced it. The oil leak still happens. Yes I made sure both times I torqued it to spec.

Has anyone else had this issue with this? I have to go back to the stock oil drain plug because has this has now caused a couple of issues. Bottom plastics are now soaked in oil and the plug is leaking oil. Quite annoyed that this $10 part has cost me at a minimum close to $100 in oil already.

[hilmar2k]

You may have some debris between the pan and the washer. Next time you remove it, clean the pan with a rag before replacing the washer and plug.

[S4'ed]

I had the same exact problem, and threw the ECS plug in the trash. Make sure you use a new aluminum crush washer on the factory drain plug.

[Joker S4]

I have the plug and have not had this issue. I also haven't had it out since I installed that little thing.

[16essvier]

I had one of these develop the same leak... After about 4 or 5 oil changes. This was quite a few years back on a mkiv 1.8t. The built in 'shoulder washer' on the plug started to separate from the bolthead. Might be worth a closer look.

[Fresh.S4]

ebay magnetic drain plugs worked perfect for me... and dealer gave me copper crush washers..

[AudiFLS4]

I replaced the crush washer 2 times and I made sure to wipe it clean. Just frustrated that this is happening.


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[14S4GWM]

Lots of guys have had issues with this drain plug, I steered clear of it.

[proxemus]

i had this issue too. i put a little silicone on the threads and fixed this.

[KLX]

I just got one delivered, a little worried about installing it, might keep the stock and use the crush washers..I emailed ECS to see if they changed the design.

[Ashs4b8]

Make sure you use copper washers. The others made mine leak too. Very frustrating!! The ecs drain plug is good though.

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[infinkc]

It’s not leaking from the seal, they are crap. The material is so thin where the hex is, if you tighten it it will do a hairline crack at the seam and leak. Replace it!

[Acejam]

Known issue, stay away from ECS junk.

[AudiFLS4]

I just got one delivered, a little worried about installing it, might keep the stock and use the crush washers..I emailed ECS to see if they changed the design.

I purchased mine this year so unless it’s recent probably the same as mine. Giving them a call tomorrow.


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[Robdukes]

Mine was the wrong tread pattern. Wouldnt start to catch to screw in...so I held it next to the original and there was no way it was even close. Thank goodness I didn't force it.

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[MME1122]

I've had mine for about 2 years and no issues, maybe the older ones were better or they got a bad batch or something. I always use a new crush washer and torque it to spec with a torque wrench.

[doughboy17]

Lots of guys have had issues with this drain plug, I steered clear of it.

This

[JasonHood]

Make sure you use copper washers. The others made mine leak too. Very frustrating!! The ecs drain plug is good though.

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I used copper washers and mine still leaked. I don't use a torque wrench when I change the oil so maybe I gorilla fingered it though.

[wangshuo1989]

Not sure why anyone would buy this junk, OEM plug works perfectly fine, and it's free since it came with the car...

[achilleas101]

I had one of these develop the same leak... After about 4 or 5 oil changes. This was quite a few years back on a mkiv 1.8t. The built in 'shoulder washer' on the plug started to separate from the bolthead. Might be worth a closer look.

Just dealt with this after 40k miles (8 oil changes). Discovered a leak on my garage floor 1600 miles after my last change. Saw the oil at the drain plug. tightened it up a bit but kept leaking. Noticed leak was not at the washer.

So tonight wasted my evening going to get a new plug and oil to do an unplanned oil change. Sigh.

[Bikel]

sorry dude... recently bought a new one for $1.18 at FPC Euro after a ton of oil changes (130K mi) and worked the first time like a charm!

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...-vag-n91167901

[Gberg888]

1) FCP Euro provides one with their kit every single time and you get "replacement" oil for free so there is no reason people, especially enthusiasts on this forum, should not be using FCP Euro.

2) I have had the ECS drain-plug on 3 different cars across many many oil changes and as long as the washer is changed and the plug isnt cranked down super tight you shouldnt have any issues and I have not. I do like that it pulls some of the metal fragments out of the pan!

[achilleas101]

yeah, i got it for the first oil change at 5k so that it could pick up all the debris and shavings, so by now, hopefully there aren't any more. :-)

last oil change i didnt tighten it enough and it was leaking, so tightened a bit more. up to around 34 ft lbs. usually stopped around 30. OEM plug and washer specs are i believe 24 or 25ft lbs. So i don't know, maybe that caused the plug to get warped. I was using new crush washers, aluminum, not copper as OEMs are not copper.

interesting thing was that the dealer had 2 potential plugs for the b8.5. had to check by VIN. mine was a black one with a hex, not a star female hole to tighten it from. Washers as i said are not copper. They're hollow aluminum, kind of rounded, not flat. actually the one on fcpeuro is exactly it. The grooved side goes against the plug, smooth side to the pan.


Plug was like $1.25 at the dealer and washers were $0.92 so nothing crazy. Got a few extra for future changes. after 2 days, no leaks so all is well again.

[KLX]

I just got one delivered, a little worried about installing it, might keep the stock and use the crush washers..I emailed ECS to see if they changed the design.

Well guess what, new house 4 drips of oil in my new garage, taking the car in Monday to swap back to the OEM drain plug.....

[B7TitaniumA4]

I’ve had an ECS plug on my TT and A4 with no issues in the last, but I tried it on my S4 and it leaked like crazy. I went back to the stock plug and copper washer and it’s better, but not perfect. I heard Audi has a revised washer with a groove on one side rather than flat/rounded only.


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[fstr n u]

So what's the verdict?
ECS plug w copper washer or...
Stock plug with aluminum or copper washer?

[SILVERBACK004]

Yes, i had the same issue i bought the one with multiple washers and clean the area for any debri. I threw that shit away im still using the OEM.

[KLX]

Yup putting back on the OEM plug and ordered
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

for replacement washers.