filter housing drain plug stuck

[pebjr]

In the process of changing my oil and I'm unable to break loose the center drain plug on the filter housing. I never had an issue with it before.

I normally do all my own maintenance but he last time the oil was changed was on a road trip and I was across the country in Fresno Ca and I had a VW dealership do only an oil change... fast forward today and the housing drain plug is so tight that the I'm about to round off the plastic 13 mm nut.


Any suggestion to help get it off?

 

[oilhammer]

You'll have to replace the cap. Send them the bill.

There are two different ones, depending on whose oil filter assembly got used on your engine, Hengst or Mahle.

03N-115-433 Hengst

03N-115-433-A Mahle

Please check the cap itself, as it may have a brand/part number already on it, otherwise you'll have to verify with your dealer by VIN.

You can spin the filter cap off without draining it: you'll just make a mess. If you have the replacement in your hand, though, you could try drilling a tiny hole in the lowest spot of the plastic and letting it drain out that way first.

 

[pebjr]

Thanks oilhammer for the info!


You were right, It made a mess.... My housing is a Hengst with the part # you gave.



I'll be in St Louis next month for a wedding, might stop by and say hi. Its been 5-6 yrs since I was in St Louis and you worked on my Jetta..

 

[fase2000TDI]

You'll have to replace the cap. Send them the bill.
There are two different ones, depending on whose oil filter assembly got used on your engine, Hengst or Mahle.
03N-115-433 Hengst
03N-115-433-A Mahle
Please check the cap itself, as it may have a brand/part number already on it, otherwise you'll have to verify with your dealer by VIN.
You can spin the filter cap off without draining it: you'll just make a mess. If you have the replacement in your hand, though, you could try drilling a tiny hole in the lowest spot of the plastic and letting it drain out that way first.

Are they actually different in terms of functionality? I bought one for my car at the dealer but I didn't check to see which version my car came with, and I don't believe they searched by vin.

Prior to my ownership the car had 3 or 4 dealer oil changes, and they managed to mangle the center nut in that short period of time.

 

[whizznbyu]

What is the torque spec on that center drain plug?

 

[pebjr]

What is the torque spec on that center drain plug?

5+2 NM for the center drain plug and 25+5 NM for the housing assy.

 

[pebjr]

I found a replacement on RockAuto.com for a oil filter housing for a total of $36.44 incl s/h which is like $25 cheaper than anyone else I found.

Its listed as a Dorman 921156 and it says on the site that Hengst is the vendor.


Looks the same, we will see....

 

[whizznbyu]

idparts has a nice tool they sell for draining the canister. I might avoid having to unclip that sensor that is in the way. IDParts EA288 Oil Filter Drain Tool

 

[pebjr]

Follow up from my original post...
I ordered a replacement oil filter canister from RockAuto and it was a Dorman part 921156. It appears to be well constructed.
Had no issues with replacement after 2 weeks ...

Also with the original canister, I was able to get the center drain plug by using an impact driver.. Does anyone know the part number for just the center drain plug?

 

[Nuje]

5+2 NM for the center drain plug and 25+5 NM for the housing assy.

Not sure where the +2Nm and +5Nm spec is coming from (you're not the first person I've seen reference that.)

Manual clearly says straight up 5Nm for the centre drain plug; 25Nm for the filter housing itself.

 

[bigb]

OMG I am glad you posted that info from the service manual, I had no idea my shop towel was the wrong part number!!

 

[bigb]

Does anyone know the part number for just the center drain plug?

Here's the OEM part https://www.idparts.com/oil-filter-housing-drain-plug-ea288-wht005610-p-10737.html

 

[Nuje]

...I had no idea my shop towel was the wrong part number!!

Yep - probably voided your warranty right there.

 

[adjat84th]

I think that +2Nm and +5Nm is on the cap itself? I know I've seen it as well but have always just snugged the plug and torqued to 25Nm on the cap.

 

[Nuje]

I was sure my cap just said "25Nm + 5Nm", which I took to mean "25Nm for the big 'un; 5Nm for the little guy".

It's been a while, though, since I've looked at one.

 

[franklinstower]

The Dealer stripped my drain plug too. Must have used an impact wrench on it....I never was able to get it out. I complained and they sent me a new cap with the plug. Of course they sent the wrong one. After about 10 weeks of complaining and waiting, I finally got them to send me the right cap. They then asked that I bring them the old cap, I said sure on my next visit, which will be never!

I still have to do the Phase 2, I am at 48k miles, and I am going to a different dealer, but I am really worried they will mess something up. I have 4 VW dealers within about 30 miles, so far 3 of the 4 dealers have either messed something up, lied or performed just straight up substandard work.

 

[oilhammer]

Well I see the new forums have no curse word filter LOL.

 

[Nuje]

Well, looks like the auto-censoring on f-bombs and other "not for prime time audiences" words on the new forums isn't quite working yet.
(I sent Fred a "conversation" letting him know.)

 

[whizznbyu]

Franklinstower you live in Kirkland. There is a pretty decent mechanic your way. Zahntech