Lost the pan drain plug

[Carls_jeep]

Had an interesting thing happen after coming out of Arch Canyon trail. We were driving home on the highway and as I was climbing up the last hill I heard a very light rattling sound. There are so many rattles, squeaks and gear whine I'm surprised I heard it or even payed attention to it. Anyway, I looked at the oil pressure gauge and it was just above 0. I shut the engine off and pulled to the side, looked under for the leak and found the plug missing.

The other Jeep towed me about 4 miles to Calvins home and we parked it until Saturday morning. We put a new plug in and oil and test drove it and everything is ok. I think my guardian angel was helping me.

I think what caused the drain plug to come out was going over a rock and it nudged the hex of the plug and knocked it loose. It's hard to tell which trail it got knocked loose on but it finally worked it's way out. We were glad it didn't happen in Arch Canyon because he could not have pulled me out of there, we would have to come out, get parts and go back to fix it.

That's the first time I have ever had a drain plug come out and I will check the plug after trails with rocks that hit the pan.

We then packed up and went on the slick rock trail from Comb Wash to Hotel Rock. Calvin led the way and it was a challenging trail for sure and a lot of fun. Had lunch at Hotel Rock.

[1955CJ-5]

It's great that you came through that with no other problems..

That just goes to show that if it can happen, it will..

Get Calvin to drill that new plug and safety wire it in place!

[calvinhunt]

I actually had that same thought.  I've safety wired many aircraft bolts and other items over the years.  I agree with Carl that it took a hit.  You can see a scar on the skid plate right to the oil pan drain plug.  Such a hit would probably have torn the safety wire loose.  Who knows?  Wouldn't be a hard thing to do.  Really, I gave it some serious thought for both our Jeeps.

[Medsker51]

I've seen a plug come out before, although not in the crazy way yours did. So I always carry one of these. Probably never need it, but it is small and light and does a good job. Of course if you hit it by a small rock it will pop it out. Crazy for that rock to hit it and turn it. I will never stop being amazed at the crazy things that happen when wheeling.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Needa-Parts-Universal-oil-drain-plug/_/N-25r9?itemIdentifier=256832_0_0_

[macrisel]

Maybe add a removable addition to the skid plate to cover the oil plug?

[bretto]

Just returning a little bit of oil back to Mother Nature.
I'm surprise something was able to get up in there and do that.  I would say the same odds as winning a lottery.  Good to hear nothing happened and that you happened to be looking at the oil pressure.  I can't say I look down at the gauges all the time.  Maybe a low oil pressure idiot light or beeper indicator wouldn't be a bad idea to integrate into the system.

[Carls_jeep]

It may never happen again but it was a little scary and a good thing the rattle caught my attentions as quick as it did.