If you are getting prepared to slide through your truck for several maintenance, knowing the six. 7 cummins oil drain plug socket size is 1-1/8 ins will save you lots of frustration and unnecessary trips to the toolbox. There is nothing quite as annoying since getting yourself positioned upon the creeper, achieving up, and realizing the socket you grabbed is really a locks too small. For the Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks running the six. 7L Cummins turbocharged diesel, that 1-1/8 inch size has been the standard for a long time, though some people swear by using a 28mm if these people need slightly snugger fit on an older, slightly worn plug.
Precisely why the 1-1/8 inch socket can be your greatest friend
Almost all guys who have got owned a Cummins for some time know that will these engines are usually built like storage containers. Everything is weighty, everything is extra-large, and the oil drain plug will be no exception. It's a beefy bolt that needs in order to hold back three gallons of oil, therefore it makes sense that will it requires the substantial socket. Whenever you use the right 1-1/8 inch socket, you get a solid grip upon the hex mind, which is important because that plug can sometimes be surprisingly persistent to break loose, specifically if the last person who changed the particular oil had a bit too much coffee and over-torqued it.
I actually usually recommend using a 1/2-inch drive ratchet for this job. A 3/8-inch push might get the job done, but you actually want that extra leverage that the longer 1/2-inch deal with provides. When that plug finally "cracks" loose, you'll end up being glad you weren't straining with a smaller tool that will might slip plus bark your knuckles on the framework rail.
The particular debate between metric and imperial
In the world of diesel upkeep, almost always there is a bit of a back-and-forth about whether these types of trucks are metric or standard. The particular 6. 7 Cummins is a bit of the mix, but for the drain plug, 1-1/8 inches will be the widely accepted "correct" size. However, if you appear at the math, 1-1/8 inches changes to about twenty-eight. 57mm. This indicates a 28mm metric socket is actually a small bit tighter.
If your drain plug is usually in perfect form, a 28mm might not even fit the head. But if your plug has seen much better days—maybe it's already been rounded off a little bit by an earlier owner using an adjustable wrench (please don't be that person)—then a 28mm might actually become the "secret weapon" for you to get it away without stripping it further. Quite often, though, stay with the 1-1/8. It's what the technical engineers intended, and it also matches the vast majority of OEM connects perfectly.
Don't strip it: The particular importance of a 6-point socket
One mistake I see people make all the period is definitely a 12-point socket on the heavy-duty drain plug. While 12-point electrical sockets are great intended for tight spaces where you can't move the ratchet extremely far, these are well known for rounding away the corners of the bolt when you apply a lot of force.
When you're dealing with the particular 6. 7 cummins oil drain plug socket size , a person really want to use a 6-point socket. A 6-point socket makes contact with the particular flat sides of the bolt head rather than only the corners. Since that will drain plug can occasionally stick due in order to heat cycles plus the crush washer settling in, you want all the surface area contact a person can get. In case you round off that will 1-1/8 inch mind, you're going to have a very bad Sat trying to get it away using a pair associated with vice-grips or perhaps a tube wrench.
Equipment you actually need for the job
Beyond just the socket, there are some some other things you need to have laid out prior to you start. Given that the 6. 7 Cummins holds twelve quarts of oil, you aren't simply looking for the standard little oil pan. You require a heavy-duty drain container that may hold at minimum 15 quarts to be safe. There's nothing worse compared to watching your drain pan overflow while the oil is nevertheless gushing out associated with the engine.
Here's a fast list of what We usually have available: * The 1-1/8 inch 6-point socket (obviously). * A 1/2-inch drive ratchet or breaker pub. * A 3-inch extension (sometimes helps clear the crossmember depending on your own reach). * The massive drain skillet (15-quart minimum). * Plenty of shop rags (it will get messy). * A brand new Mopar or top quality aftermarket oil filter. * 12 quarts of 5W-40 or even 15W-40 oil.
Dealing with the 12-quart splash
Let's talk regarding the actual process for a 2nd. When you put that 1-1/8 inch socket within the plug and break it loose, keep your hand pressing directly into the particular oil pan because you unscrew the last few threads. The 6. 7 Cummins has some sort of lot of oil capacity, and when that plug arrives out, it doesn't just trickle—it locations out which includes severe pressure.
If you just let the plug fall, it's heading to drop in to the pan, little oil all over your driveway, plus then you'll have to go angling for it in three gallons associated with black sludge. Hold the plug tight, unscrew it till you feel the particular threads end, plus then pull this away quickly. If you're fast, you'll keep your safety gloves relatively clean. When you're slow, properly, you'll be putting on Cummins oil up to your elbow.
Torque specs plus over-tightening nightmares
Once the oil is drained and you're ready to put the plug back in, don't just "uge-duge" it until it won't move anymore. The particular official torque spec for the six. 7 Cummins oil drain plug is usually around 37 to 44 lb-ft, depending on the specific year of your truck.
You want this tight enough therefore it doesn't leak or vibrate out, but you don't want to stretch out the threads or even crush the seal very hard that it's a nightmare in order to remove the next time. If you don't possess a torque wrench, "snug plus a small bit" is the general rule, but honestly, for a pickup truck this expensive, investing in a good torque wrench will be a smart move. Also, take a quick look at the seal or seal upon the plug. In the event that it looks flattened or cracked, invest the five dollars to get a new one. It's way cheaper than dealing with the slow drip upon your garage ground for the following 7, 500 miles.
Thinking about an aftermarket drain valve?
In case you're tired of hunting for typically the six. 7 cummins oil drain plug socket size every few a few months, you might like to look into an aftermarket drain valve just like a Fumoto or a Valvomax. These replace the normal bolt with the permanent valve. Rather of needing the socket and also a ratchet, you just turn a lever or even attach a line to drain the oil.
It makes the job significantly cleaner and you never have to consider stripping the threads on your oil pan. Some men be worried about them starting accidentally, but they will usually have a locking clip or even a very stiff springtime to prevent that will. For a DIYer which does their own modifications every time, it's a pretty solid upgrade that pays for itself within "not-having-to-clean-up-oil-spills" time.
A quick notice on the oil filter
While we are talking regarding the drain plug, don't forget that will the oil filter on these vehicles is also the bit of the beast. It's situated on the traveler side of the engine block and may be reached by means of the wheel well or from beneath. Most people use a strap wrench tool or a particular cap-style filter wrench to get this off.
Pro tip: when you take those filter off, it's heading to be full of oil and this will certainly leak. A typical trick is definitely to wrap the gallon-sized Ziploc bag around the filtration system as you unscrew it. The bag catches the excess oil and keeps it from operating down the part of the motor and onto your front axle. It's a simple trick, but it can make the whole expertise much more enjoyable.
Wrapping things up
Changing the particular oil on the 6. 7 Cummins is among the easiest methods to ensure that engine hits the 300, 000 or 500, 000-mile mark. It's a simple work, provided you have the correct gear. Just remember that the particular 6. 7 cummins oil drain plug socket size is 1-1/8 inches, use a 6-point socket to keep things safe, and make sure your drain pan is big enough in order to handle the 12-quart flood. Once you've done it a couple of occasions, you'll possess the schedule down to the science, and your truck will appreciate you for the particular fresh lubrication. Happy wrenching!