Blue stuff around oil plug - Any ideas?

General discussion area for the L32-chassis Altima
Mark245
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:43 am
Car: 2011 Nissan Altima

Post

When changing the oil on my new (but used) Altima, I noticed that there is a blue/turquoise color material around the oil plug. It looks like some kind of sealer or bonding glue potentially? Anyone know why I would see this or what it is? I also noticed that there seems to be a slow oil leak coming out from this oil plug as well. I torqued the bolt to 25ft-lbs at the last oil change so not sure why there would be any leak at all. I re-tightened and that seemed to help but I'm still wondering if this blue stuff if causing the problem (or hiding some other problem). Any ideas?
oil_plug.jpg
Last edited by Rogue One on Wed Nov 09, 2022 11:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Moved to correct Forum


User avatar
VStar650CL
Technical Expert
Posts: 8291
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 1:25 pm
Car: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL
2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 S

Post

There's supposed to be a copper crush washer on the plug. Those are infinitely reusable if you don't over-torque the plug, but they become useless and leak if you do. Maybe somebody did, then tried to compensate with RTV instead of getting a new washer.

User avatar
VStar650CL
Technical Expert
Posts: 8291
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2020 1:25 pm
Car: 2013 Nissan Altima 2.5 SL
2004 Nissan Altima 2.5 S

Post

Come to think of it, that doesn't look like an OE plug anyway. The OE plugs generally have no markings.

User avatar
AZhitman
Administrator
Posts: 71061
Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
Location: Surprise, Arizona
Contact:

Post

Yep. Replace the plug, and install a proper copper crush washer... OR, I kinda like the nylon ones, and ALWAYS use a small tq wrench and tighten exactly to spec.

Mark245
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:43 am
Car: 2011 Nissan Altima

Post

Thanks for the help guys. I will buy a new oil plug and washers. Seems like someone at the local express oil change messed up the routine maintenance. That is why I have taken over the maintenance myself and joined this forum!


Return to “4th Generation Altima Sedan (2007-2012)”