Argh - ECS Tuning Magnetic Oil Drain Plug...

[TypeRx]

Changed my oil yesterday and realized I didn't have a replacement crush washer for the oil drug plug. Luckily (so I thought) I had a brand new ECS Tuning magnetic oil drain plug and copper washers from a while back that I never installed. Got everything back together and sure enough, I have a slow weeping leak from the oil drain plug. It is tight..not sure what else I can do to remedy.

What a nuisance...now I have to get the car back in the air, remove the belly pan, and drain the oil into a very clean container so I can reuse. Went to the Audi dealer nearby this AM for a few (3) new crush washers and a new oil drain plug (total was ~$4).

So, public service announcement -- buyer beware on the ECS Tuning magnetic oil drain plug. Probably unnecessary anyways....

[CoreyRS]

thats a bummer, I have been having good luck with the crush washers that come with the liquimoly kit from JHM.

[OscarMeyer]

Had the same thing happen to me, only use the crush washers now.

[TypeRx]

Yeah, the ECS plug comes with copper crush washers whereas the OEM ones are aluminum, more rounded, and less meaty. They probably conform better. Oh well, I am not taking any chances -- OEM drain plug and washers from here on out.

[Seattle squash]

Yes sir, same thing here, back to OEM washer ever since.

[Reggie]

Ditto for me too. I went back to OEM

[TypeRx]

Just to clarify, are you guys using the magnetic drain plug with OEM washer or back to OEM plug and washer? I don't want to deal with this again so will likely just through the magnetic plug in the trash...

[iduff]

Perhaps naive question, so please don't flame me, but why use a magnetic drain plug on an aluminum block engine?

Yeah, some bits are steel, but they would chew away the aluminum before shredding themselves, no? Where would steel be in close enough proximity to steel that there's any chance of shaving off bits that a magnetic plug would pick up?

Crank and connecting rods come to mind, but wouldn't that kill the (non-magnetic) rod bearings first, and cause an ungodly racket?

What am I missing?

[Ravage]

Yup, just happened to me. Wish I had seen this thread last month.

[TypeRx]

Alright, replaced with a new factory drain plug and washer last night. I was able to get things done quickly enough that only about 1/2 quart ended up in my drain pain. Live and learn. Next oil change a year from now (only driving about 3K miles/yr...if even..)

[dufferdude]

Nothing wrong with the plug, i have one. it's the flat copper washers. They are crap and it's too bad ecs sells them with their plug. They should know better? OEM crush washer or nothing.
I wouldn't call the copper washers a crush type.

[NYC_Legacy]

I too used the OEM crush washer with the ECS Magnetic plug with no issues to report.

[FastEddie]

I like ECS when buying NON ECS brands. But i try to tell everyone, NEVER BUY ECS BRANDED PRODUCTS. WAY to many problems. I know a guy in Florida who bought the ECS tow hook and it snapped in half as they were trying to get the car on a flatbed and sent the car flying into the street. THANK GOD no one was driving by at that very moment.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Just as an FYI we have now updated our magnetic drain plug to include an OEM style crush washer. Any product we make and sell we will support 100%.

Also the tow hook you are referring to is advertised as cosmetic use only and it is not recommended for towing.

Jason

[WinterRunner]

^ A tow hook not recommended for towing?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

As I said it's for looks only. It clearly states this in the description and at the top of the product with wordage "Race inspired looks"

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_RS...ook/ES2189823/

Jason

[CoreyRS]

I was just about to give kudos to ECS for listening to feedback on the drain plug....

Then I saw the "tow hook not for towing" lmfao

[TypeRx]

Just as an FYI we have now updated our magnetic drain plug to include an OEM style crush washer. Any product we make and sell we will support 100%.

Also the tow hook you are referring to is advertised as cosmetic use only and it is not recommended for towing.

Jason

While I am glad to see that you guys took customer feedback and adapted, the magnetic drain plug issue does not appear to be a new one at all. You could have addressed this years ago. And I can't believe you would sell a tow hook for cosmetic purposes only.....

[FastEddie]

As I said it's for looks only. It clearly states this in the description and at the top of the product with wordage "Race inspired looks"

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_RS...ook/ES2189823/

Jason

Seriously that has to be the most stupid product i have ever seen. And while you do state its for cosmetic only, its only at the very end of the description.

Again i do business with you guys and always love your service but thats just ridiculous. A 60 dollar fake tow hook.

[WinterRunner]

Next they're going to tell me the stick on vents don't actually do any cooling.

And I'm with everyone, I order from ECS fairly regularly, but that is just laughable....

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Can't make everyone happy all of the time.

Appreciate all the feedback, I'm sure the tow hook isn't the only product on the market that isn't actually functional and just for looks.

Jason

[dufferdude]

I still use my ecs magnetic plug, but I've used the crush type washer since the beginning. I went through the leaky copper washer issue.
There is a little sludge on my plug everytime i change my oil. But i rely on a Blackstone Lab oil analysis for real numbers. Every other oil change.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

See the thing is, copper washers work fine on some vehicles with our magnetic drain plug. Others no so much, so we're not changing our "tune". It just so happens that on the RS4 you need to use a crush style type washer.

We wouldn't have CS reps in place if the whole purpose was to not help customers so surely that experience you had was not the norm.

Jason

[dufferdude]

You changed your tune for our cars.
Thats a good thing in my book.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

...Or we just listened to feedback from customers running our drain plug and changed it for the better. Seems like the only one changing their "tune" is you, to fit whatever agenda you have to make us seem like the bad guys. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jason

[CoreyRS]

Can't make everyone happy all of the time.

Appreciate all the feedback, I'm sure the tow hook isn't the only product on the market that isn't actually functional and just for looks.

Jason

True, but it is not for looks, it is for function....like towing. It seems that your only legitimate tow hooks are half the price of your bling tow-hooks. Im sure shipping is like $600 as well.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Actually it ships for free, as well as the Genuine Audi tow hook that comes with your vehicle, or should have.

Any more brain busters?

Jason

[TypeRx]

ECS -- I realize you came here trying to be helpful but I suggest taking a deep breath and stepping away from the computer before continuing to alienate your potential customers. Seriously.

[CoreyRS]

Actually it ships for free, as well as the Genuine Audi tow hook that comes with your vehicle, or should have.

Any more brain busters?

Jason

Since you asked, Rirruto...why don't you guys hustle a tow hook that looks good and is functional?

[aroderick56]

Jason went to his product guys at ECS saying hey, I'm seeing people are having issues with drain plugs. Lets give it OEM washers. Now they offer it with OEM washers and yet you still complain about ECS..... sounds like you are just looking for shit.

Also, the tow hook clearly states for cosmetic use only. If you like how it looks, then buy it. If you don't, then who cares. If you try to tow with it and it breaks... only but yourself to blame for not reading product description before purchasing. Don't get pissed at ECS for selling a cosmetic product that some people like for their cars. Not everyone is going to like the same look.

[CoreyRS]

Jason went to his product guys at ECS saying hey, I'm seeing people are having issues with drain plugs. Lets give it OEM washers. Now they offer it with OEM washers and yet you still complain about ECS..... sounds like you are just looking for shit.

Also, the tow hook clearly states for cosmetic use only. If you like how it looks, then buy it. If you don't, then who cares. If you try to tow with it and it breaks... only but yourself to blame for not reading product description before purchasing. Don't get pissed at ECS for selling a cosmetic product that some people like for their cars. Not everyone is going to like the same look.

I like ECS when buying NON ECS brands. But i try to tell everyone, NEVER BUY ECS BRANDED PRODUCTS. WAY to many problems. I know a guy in Florida who bought the ECS tow hook and it snapped in half as they were trying to get the car on a flatbed and sent the car flying into the street. THANK GOD no one was driving by at that very moment.

Not that clearly...or we wouldn't be having this discussion. But you are right they did have a CYA statement in there, in case someone bought a tow hook to tow, a hammer to hammer something, or a filter to filter. LOL

[aroderick56]

Looks pretty clear to me.

I don't get what your complaining about. Ecs makes a cosmetic tow hook. Ecs says for cosmetics only.

So you don't like that it's only cosmetic. That's fine, don't buy it. It's not that hard to figure out

Product suggestion is one thing but bashing ecs for not making it how you want it is ridiculous

[CoreyRS]

Jason went to his product guys at ECS saying hey, I'm seeing people are having issues with drain plugs. Lets give it OEM washers. Now they offer it with OEM washers and yet you still complain about ECS..... sounds like you are just looking for shit.

Also, the tow hook clearly states for cosmetic use only. If you like how it looks, then buy it. If you don't, then who cares. If you try to tow with it and it breaks... only but yourself to blame for not reading product description before purchasing. Don't get pissed at ECS for selling a cosmetic product that some people like for their cars. Not everyone is going to like the same look.

Looks pretty clear to me.

I don't get what your complaining about. Ecs makes a cosmetic tow hook. Ecs says for cosmetics only.

So you don't like that it's only cosmetic. That's fine, don't buy it. It's not that hard to figure out

Product suggestion is one thing but bashing ecs for not making it how you want it is ridiculous

Are you defending a cosmetic tow hook? OMG, did you buy one!?!?!?

[aroderick56]

Really? That's what you get out of my posts?

I do not own one nor do I want one.

[dufferdude]

...Or we just listened to feedback from customers running our drain plug and changed it for the better. Seems like the only one changing their "tune" is you, to fit whatever agenda you have to make us seem like the bad guys. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Jason

No agenda for me.

[dturn37]

I've had nothing but great service with ECS. Order from them all the time since they are fairly close to Chicago and shipping is super fast. We are lucky to have shops still making cosmetic stuff for our 10 year old cars so I don't see the need to bash them.

[dufferdude]

I need to apologize to Jason.
I looked for the emails from my order with ECS. I found it, but it wasn't that order or ECS that i had the copper washer issue with.

Please accept my apologies Jason.
My bad.

[dturn37]

I've had nothing but good experiences with them so thats my 2 cents. Sometimes you can find oem parts cheaper on other sites but its nice to have a site like ECS for aftermarket parts. Will I be buying a fake tow hook and their crusher washers... probably not but its still nice to have the option.

[b6bydesign04]

Perhaps naive question, so please don't flame me, but why use a magnetic drain plug on an aluminum block engine?

Yeah, some bits are steel, but they would chew away the aluminum before shredding themselves, no? Where would steel be in close enough proximity to steel that there's any chance of shaving off bits that a magnetic plug would pick up?

Crank and connecting rods come to mind, but wouldn't that kill the (non-magnetic) rod bearings first, and cause an ungodly racket?

What am I missing?

Bump. Is this magnetic drain plug something we can really benefit from?

[rimoore]

I've been having same problem with the copper and aluminum washer. What a POS and going to try the OEM crush.