Found a weird stat about how many cars have the original factory oil pan drain plug

Ngl I was reading this forum post the other day and someone claimed that roughly 60% of cars over 10 years old still have the original drain plug from the factory. That blew my mind because I probably replace like 8 or 10 of those things a month at my shop when they're stripped or rounded off. I double checked with a parts supplier buddy and he said the number's actually closer to 55% based on their sales data. So almost half of those older cars have been swapped out at some point. Has anyone else run into this or is it just in my area?

2 comments

2 Comments

evab5220d ago

Blew past a 2005 F150 in the shop last week where the drain plug was so corroded it looked like it had been on there since the factory. Took a torch and some PB Blaster just to get it loose. Customer was mad I charged him for the extra labor but hey the thing had rust welded itself in place. I'm betting that truck is one of the 55% you're talking about.

taylorhunt20d ago

Admittedly I used to think those factory plugs were pretty much bulletproof but your numbers make a lot of sense when I think about all the stuck or rounded plugs I've dealt with over the years. The fact that nearly half have been swapped out really puts it in perspective, especially since most people don't mess with something unless it's giving them trouble. Guess my old assumption was based more on luck than reality, so thanks for setting me straight on this.