460 engine sump drain plug

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sharpham
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Just tried to change oil in my engine but large nut bigger than my 32 mm largest spanner and socket set jumps from 32 mm to 36 mm which is too big. Also has sensor fitted into nut with spade tag but no wires to it. I have temperature gauge in car so guess that is water temp. So what is this sensor for and where is it measured. Got to get manuals for this car as have nothing to reference to check things. Any advice would be great.

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fixwin38
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hi perhaps a previous owner wanted to sense the oil temperature..should be juat a normal plug in the sump....water temperature is sensed at the cylinder head where the water is hottest....

sharpham
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hi Fixwin38. Is the sump plug about 34 mm? I think this is the plug as the sensor hole is too high on the sump to be able to drain it fully.

prwales
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

it should be an Allen key 14 mm if I remember correctly

sharpham
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hi prwales. If that is right I have the wrong plug entirely. I have not measured it exactly but the 32 mm spanner is just a bit too small. I have ordered larger spanners and will have another go when they come in.

prwales
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

14 mm is what the factory fits, it is also the same as the Allen nut for the front swivels. That's not to say that a previous owner has not changed it to a conventional hexagon.

Paul

Pistonhead
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hello sharpham,

ME Thinks, the wrong nut, you have...

Guessing, This could be for the low oil level sensor fittment as was fitted to a few vehicles as a optional extra if they wanted one.

Your Oil drain is definately a 14 mm allen key head. This should be located at the lowest point on the sump, towards the front. It might be on the base of the sump or by the side face of the sump, but in all cases at its lowest point on the sump to allow oil to fully drain out.

If not sure, post photos of the sump.

Cheers.

sharpham
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hi Pistonhead. You could be right about the low level sensor. Its set into what I think is the drain plug and therefore up higher than the oil drain level is when the hex plug is taken out. It is the the front of the sump and when I looked at it last night I could see no other plugs. However I must admit I did not look all round the sump so there might be another elsewhere.
At the moment its chucking it down so I will have another look when it stops.
I will look to see if there is a wire around to fit the sensor but there ought to be a light somewhere on the dash for it so will investigate.

sharpham
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Cannot seem to attach a photo for some reason. The nut with the sensor is the only access to oil in the sump so waiting for delivery of larger spanners to take it off. Thanks for all the input lads.

sharpham
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Sump nut

Pistonhead
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hello sharpham,

Now looking at your photos, this sump nut has been modified, and yup, you will need your big spanner.

Ps. When you do take off this sump nut, take the thread and pitch dimensions and look for another nut to replace for the future. Do not like of the idea, should you go off roading that the sender unit spade connector gets damaged and leak oil.

Cheers,

sharpham
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

Hi Rakesh. Will have to do that next time as have changed the oil now. One thing that surprised me though. Even though I thoroughly drained the oil and cleaned out the filter chamber the new oil was nearly as black as the old oil when I tested the level. I will have to try flushing the engine next time say in 2 or 3000 miles.

nedvaughan
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Re: 460 engine sump drain plug

vice grip....