Hello all, I'm in the process of changing the oil for the first time on my (new to me) 1986 328. A few questions: Does anyone know the size of the star socket head that fits correctly on the '86 328 oil plug? A T60 star socket took it off, but there was a lot of slop in the fit and I'd prefer not to round off my Ferrari drain plug. After removing the oil plug from the drain pan (yea, I dropped it in...), I got to inspect this rather odd looking plug for the first time. It had the copper crush ring that I'd read about (something like 27.3mm OD, 22.5mm ID, 1.5mm thick), but there was also a second ring...that looked rather crushed...almost destroyed. It was silver colored (not copper) and seemed to be a very soft metal. It had actually conformed around the copper crush ring such that the copper crush ring almost looked to be recessed into a groove in the slightly larger metal (silver) crush ring. The dimensions were just larger than the copper ring, but they may not have started out that way. My question is: is this supposed to be here? I'm assuming someone didn't have the correct copper crush ring and added this second crush ring in hopes of not leaking? Hopefully this is the cause of the oil drip on my garage floor! And lastly, after a lot of searching on the forum, I haven't found a good source for the correct copper crush ring. Did I read that NAPA carries something in this size? Many thanks! Battman
One crush ring, either aluminum or copper, effects the seal on my '87 328. My 328 takes a socket wrench, I forget what size however. The light colored crush ring is more than likely aluminum. Either Cu or Al works when used alone.
Jeff 308 takes one, copper. I am sure 328 is the same. There was a group buy some time ago, otherwise, pick up a few at your local dealer, I don't recall them being expensive. From memory it is a 12mm allen socket. Craftsman/Snap-On etc stock. The repeated heating and cooling cycles tend to mean it gets in there pretty tightly.
I've never heard of using two crush rings. As you mentioned it is possible that someone was trying to better seal a leaking plug. I have only used single copper crush rings in my 308 QV. However, I have seen aluminum, cardboard, and plastic ones in other cars. Kind Regards, Chris
Why so much problems acquiring crush rings? I live 1 mile from Global Metric in Belmont CA, and they sell that stuff by the vats full. They have it in copper, in aluminum, in all sizes, and for pennies each. I picked up a bunch from them and now have a life-time supply of crush rings if I do just 1 oil change a year. Want some?
Our sponsor www.sodacoms.com has supplied me with all my crush rings. Most Ferrari drain plugs require the sorta hard to find 12mm hex. That's what my 328 has. I finally found one at www.sears.com, Snap On would have one too, but much more expensive.
Easiest for the 328 is to buy the plastic ramps from Wal-Mart or wherever. I put them on a slight downhill and back up on them. No jack or jack stands required. Make sure to get one of the large open drain pans as all the oil comes out in a few seconds.
The 328 has a hex bolt for the oil drain, their is a 10mm hex plug that drains the trans fluid on the bottom of the trans. 2 crush rings would not be as effective as one, Pep Boys sells copper crush rings or any Porsche parts dist ill have aluminum washers. I used a 1/2" fibre washer fom Pep Boys for my oil drain plug and it worked perfect
Rob, Isn't it a problem that the car is not standing horizontally when you change the oil? And don't you have a problem with the front spoiler (touching the ground) when you back up on those plastic ramps? Ton
Not that I know of, actually it drains more oil out. All the Ferrari mechanics I see without a lift just jack up the back, so this would be at a similar angle. Anyone see any problems with draining the oil at an angle? Nope, that's why it helps to be on a little downhill. The spoiler only gets within about 2 inches of the ground.