Is the Mk2 1.6 Petrol focus sump usually fitted with a single use disposable oil drain plug?

The Haynes manual simply says that some drain plugs have an integral seal, and must be replaced when changed. It does not specify which engines are fitted with which type.

If the plug is re-useable, what sort of seal does it use?

Thanks for any information.

I have the 1.6 petrol, and mine has a copper washer which is compressed when the bolt is tightened, creating the seal.

Only the washer needed to be replaced.

I would use it again i never renewed one yet 🙂

Me too I changed mines several times without an issue.

In my life I would normally take the attitude of not changing the washer.   But on my previous fiesta I changed the oil many times and didn’t change the washer. I just did up tight to recompress the washer.   AnD then I stripped the thread.  And then I thought maybe I should have replaced the washer each time and wouldn’t have felt the urge to do it so tight.   I needed the car  for work the next day so glued the bolt in with araldite. It dripped slightly but only slightly.it was 1.6tdci with steel sump

1.6 petrol sump plug you can reuse multiple times in the real world. 

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone know what the plug thread size should be on the 1.6 Petrol? The sump fitted to my engine is cast aluminium, so I may need to source a correct size aluminium sealing washer. Over tightening and stripping the aluminium threads is the main problem I need to avoid.

The previous cars I have owned have all had steel sumps and re-usable plugs with copper washers. I replaced the washers with new each time the plug was removed.

An aluminium sump should not have had a copper washer from the factory. In engineering, copper and aluminium should not be in contact as they can cause corrosion at the contact surface. 

The plugs I have seen listed for sale appear to have a built in rubber o-ring type seal which is apparently single use.

 

 

That's the ones, with the integrated rubber washer. Some engines it's recommended to fit new each time but on your vehicle not so. Got a few in the garage for my partner's fiesta ecoboost which does indeed need replacing after oil change. Not that I do everytime. It was common to reuse the sump plug on your age of ford and only replace if the seal had deteriorated. 

2 hours ago, AntonovAN12 said:

An aluminium sump should not have had a copper washer from the factory. In engineering, copper and aluminium should not be in contact as they can cause corrosion at the contact surface. 

 

Yes you are correct. I remember now that it was my partners car that needed the copper washer, and not my Focus.

I just re-used the bolt and seal, no problems at all.

Thanks for the replies. Do the plugs shown in the photo have a magnetic tip?

To further complicate things, there are two different types of seals available. One looks like an o-ring with an added flat step in the middle, which it seems is the correct type.

The other is a metal/rubber Dowty type seal. I deal with a lot of hydraulic and air fittings with the equipment I work on, and know there are so many different kinds. I can't help but make sure I know exactly what I need.

12 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Thanks for the replies. Do the plugs shown in the photo have a magnetic tip?

To further complicate things, there are two different types of seals available. One looks like an o-ring with an added flat step in the middle, which it seems is the correct type.

The other is a metal/rubber Dowty type seal. I deal with a lot of hydraulic and air fittings with the equipment I work on, and know there are so many different kinds. I can't help but make sure I know exactly what I need.

You are best to get it from a ford dealer it's very cheap and will be correct.

On 1/29/2022 at 11:00 PM, F0CUE said:

You are best to get it from a ford dealer it's very cheap and will be correct.

I contacted my nearest Ford dealer, they can supply the plugs for £4.00 each. I would prefer a copper washer worth a few pence but that is not suitable here.