VW change to steel sump plug?

**3C4M Guy** · 09-02-2015, 09:07 PM

I have a 2007 3.2L V6 Passat. Last month I had a major engine repair done at a dealer and they fitted a new sump plug (N90 813 202). I did an oil change at the weekend and found this new sump plug is different to the one I'd always had.

The original sump plug was aluminium with an aluminium captive washer and 18mm head. This one is steel with a steel washer and a 19mm head.

When I checked with service and spare parts at this dealer, they only supply steel sump plugs now. Setting aside any potential issues of two alloy parts corroding together, I'm not sure it makes sense for the plug to be made of a stronger material than the sump itself. I'd rather the plug be the sacrificial component!

Is anyone aware if VW have made this change? And for what reason?

**Umai Naa!!** · 09-02-2015, 09:16 PM

You should be replacing the plug and washer assembly every time you remove it, as the washer is captive and the threads do tend to stretch with overuse.

N90813202 is the correct part number, and has been for at least 15 years, across maybe 60% of all VAG variants.

I do come across the occasional 18mm head ones, but usually at the initial 15K service. These are probably what they use at the assembly plant.

**3C4M Guy** · 09-02-2015, 09:39 PM

Thanks very much for the quick reply. Debate has raged in many forums about whether there is a need to replace the plug and washer every time or just the washer. The washer had been cut off the original plug, so I was happy to keep renewing the washer only with either a copper or aluminium one.

Since the new steel plug/washer combo was fitted only last month, I cut off the captive steel washer and fitted a copper washer to the steel plug.

The quality of the thread on this steel plug is crude and greatly inferior to the original aluminium one which was beautifully machined. So it was my plan to try to source an aluminium plug like the car originally had by going to independent service centres and different dealers. Are you saying that part number N90 813 202 will always be steel no matter where I shop?

**Umai Naa!!** · 09-02-2015, 10:10 PM

Correct.

I'll have to go dig one out of the scrap steel pile to confirm, but I don't believe they were ever aluminium. Happy to be proven wrong, though.

At $4.50 from the dealer, they're a lot cheaper to replace than a sump.

**brad** · 10-02-2015, 08:25 AM

Buy a nice alloy unit off eBay. thread should be 14x1.5. Comes with a magnet in it.

Or manaz is selling Alloy ECS Tuning units with 10 spare washers for a good price. Look in the "what's on Ebay" section.

**3C4M Guy** · 10-02-2015, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the tip Brad. A high quality after-market alloy one with a nice long magnet makes sense. Spare washers is a bonus.

Umai, if you find an original factory plug with 18mm head in your scrap pile, I'd be interested to know if it's alloy or if I was mistaken. I'd be very happy to pay you for it plus postage.