2.7L Oil Change Tips + Replacement Drain Plugs

[buzpro]

An extractor works great, there is maybe 1/3 of a quart leftover when you remove the plug which is infinitely easier to handle than 6 quarts being dumped on you.

I have one of those and I tried it on my first oil change then drained the pan conventionally ..... I remember there was a lot more oil left in there than 1/3 of a quart.

Because of the geometry of the oil pan, an extractor can at most reach the bottom of where the oil dipstick can reach. No further.

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[JBlanco]

I have one of those and I tried it on my first oil change then drained the pan conventionally ..... I remember there was a lot more oil left in there than 1/3 of a quart.

Because of the geometry of the oil pan, an extractor can at most reach the bottom of where the oil dipstick can reach. No further.

I have seen this before and was bummed because I thought I couldn't use my extractor with the Bronco. My other car is electric and the boat is serviced once a year.
I saw a post that confirmed it worked on the 2.7L and I tried. I did shove the hose all the way down the dipstick tube and I think there is more to the design of the picture you attached or they changed the pan for 2023 (unlikely). The oil flowed quickly into the extractor.

 

[JBlanco]

Install a Ronan plug and then install a permanent hose onto the fitting. Then when you change your oil you will never lose a drop of oil on anything.

I will after the warranty period is over. I don't want to give Ford an excuse to deny any engine related warranty work. I understand how the Magnuson Moss act works and in theory I should be covered but I don't want to battle the dealership.
I plan to retire abroad in about 5 years, the Bronco drives less than 3k miles a year so I'll do the oil changes annually using full synthetic oil. I can deal with the yellow plug for about 5 more times.

 

[Bellime]

I will after the warranty period is over. I don't want to give Ford an excuse to deny any engine related warranty work. I understand how the Magnuson Moss act works and in theory I should be covered but I don't want to battle the dealership.
I plan to retire abroad in about 5 years, the Bronco drives less than 3k miles a year so I'll do the oil changes annually using full synthetic oil. I can deal with the yellow plug for about 5 more times.

My dealership installed it for me

 

[ronnyek]

I had the ronin plug until today... when I couldnt find the little black screw in bit that lets the drainplug start draining.

I have a UPR in my mustang, and its a bit slower to drain, but the mustang's oil pan situation is way way worse than the broncos. Pull the plug on my mustang, and oil will shoot from like 1foot out to much closer when almost drained, requires moving the drain pan. I'm going to go with something that is all inclusive, so once installed, oil changes are effectively no surprises.

 

[buzpro]

I had the ronin plug until today... when I couldnt find the little black screw in bit that lets the drainplug start draining.

I have a UPR in my mustang, and its a bit slower to drain, but the mustang's oil pan situation is way way worse than the broncos. Pull the plug on my mustang, and oil will shoot from like 1foot out to much closer when almost drained, requires moving the drain pan. I'm going to go with something that is all inclusive, so once installed, oil changes are effectively no surprises.

I have a Ronin as well but I've noticed using the black screw you're talking about doesn't fully drain the oil. I tried replacing the washer spring so i removed a the plug and about 1/4 of a quart started gushing out. However, I have to say that I tilt the vehicle to get more oil out.

 

[WLDTRK73]

I can see the spring washer and I just checked mine again. I cant get it to budge. I actually have to push mine in against the spring washer to get it to turn like I was gonna remove it.

@TNcoupe and @jatt143 - Were you all able to get the plug to seat properly, where you did not see the wave spring? Mine also looks just like this after installation yesterday... No matter what I do, I cannot get it to go in any further. Detent still locks in and have to push inward to the oil pan to remove.

 

[CarbonSteel]

The problem that I have with the Ronin is that it appears to "weep" oil around the area where it attaches to the pan. I have wiped it a number of times and there is always some oil around it and has done this from when it was new.

Otherwise, it works well and after attaching a piece of hose to the key, I no longer have to drop the skid plate to change the oil.

 

[WLDTRK73]

The problem that I have with the Ronin is that it appears to "weep" oil around the area where it attaches to the pan. I have wiped it a number of times and there is always some oil around it and has done this from when it was new.

Otherwise, it works well and after attaching a piece of hose to the key, I no longer have to drop the skid plate to change the oil.

I have the same exact "weeping" issue... I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. That puts my mind at ease, because it was my main concern and the only problem I could pinpoint was being able to see the wave spring.

Thanks for the feedback! Looking forward to not removing the skids as well.

 

[CarbonSteel]

I have the same exact "weeping" issue... I am glad to hear that I am not the only one. That puts my mind at ease, because it was my main concern and the only problem I could pinpoint was being able to see the wave spring.

Thanks for the feedback! Looking forward to not removing the skids as well.

I bought 2 Ronins + extra wave washers and o-rings in case one of them had an issue (BF sale). My biggest concern is that IF the wave washer fails, I am fairly confident the drain plug would "unscrew". At highway speeds, you would have a seized engine since Ford in their infinite wisdom only put an oil pressure gauge on the Raptor.

The UPR uses the same locking mechanism style as the OEM plugs (except it uses steel locking tangs versus plastic). The UPR also has double o-ring seals whereas the Ronin and factory only have one.

I may buy a UPR and see how it works.

 

[WLDTRK73]

I bought 2 Ronins + extra wave washers and o-rings in case one of them had an issue (BF sale). My biggest concern is that IF the wave washer fails, I am fairly confident the drain plug would "unscrew". At highway speeds, you would have a seized engine since Ford in their infinite wisdom only put an oil pressure gauge on the Raptor.

The UPR uses the same locking mechanism style as the OEM plugs (except it uses steel locking tangs versus plastic). The UPR also has double o-ring seals whereas the Ronin and factory only have one.

I may buy a UPR and see how it works.

If only every aftermarket product did not have to have an inevitable weak point.

I share your concerns completely and have overthought this topic enough that I am considering going back to using the OEM plug. Other than the inconvenience of taking off skids, I had no issue with slowly removing the plug and maintaining a slow/steady flow of oil into the catch pan. The main issue with all the videos out there is they just rip it out and let the stream flow...

I looked into the UPR myself and decided against it. Honestly, due to the popularity and feedback of the Ronin. That said and after installing the Ronin, it does seem that features like the double o-rings and locking tabs are superior to that of the single o-ring and wave washer that the Ronin offers. I would like to think the double o-ring would stop the "weeping", but cannot find any reviews on that. It is funny, because you are the only other member that has ever mentioned the "weeping" going on... No way we are the only two!

 

[CarbonSteel]

If only every aftermarket product did not have to have an inevitable weak point.

I share your concerns completely and have overthought this topic enough that I am considering going back to using the OEM plug. Other than the inconvenience of taking off skids, I had no issue with slowly removing the plug and maintaining a slow/steady flow of oil into the catch pan. The main issue with all the videos out there is they just rip it out and let the stream flow...

I looked into the UPR myself and decided against it. Honestly, due to the popularity and feedback of the Ronin. That said and after installing the Ronin, it does seem that features like the double o-rings and locking tabs are superior to that of the single o-ring and wave washer that the Ronin offers. I would like to think the double o-ring would stop the "weeping", but cannot find any reviews on that. It is funny, because you are the only other member that has ever mentioned the "weeping" going on... No way we are the only two!

Agree--no way. The single o-ring and "slop" caused by the wave washer combined with the vibration of a running engine are definitely the contributors to the weeping. The UPR with 2 rings and it locking into the pan may prevent weeping. It will definitely prevent the plug from backing out due to a failed washer.

The only other thing I want to understand on the UPR is how tight the drain part is when you close it. If it has the possibility to back out, then it also has a failure point. I will grab one from Amazon to see how it works and let you know what I think.

 

[Lxatoledo]

Has anyone used the Ronin replacement plug?
Curious if it locks into the OEM pan like all others.

Yes. Love it. Just have to keep track of it.

 

[WLDTRK73]

Agree--no way. The single o-ring and "slop" caused by the wave washer combined with the vibration of a running engine are definitely the contributors to the weeping. The UPR with 2 rings and it locking into the pan may prevent weeping. It will definitely prevent the plug from backing out due to a failed washer.

The only other thing I want to understand on the UPR is how tight the drain part is when you close it. If it has the possibility to back out, then it also has a failure point. I will grab one from Amazon to see how it works and let you know what I think.

I am not seeing any information saying there is any form of safety preventing it from backing out. If it solely relies on it remaining tightly threaded, I am not a fan of that. But, I will look forward to your feedback once you get it installed... That is if my mind allows me to not purchase one today and get it installed this weekend. Thank you!

 

[buzpro]

If only every aftermarket product did not have to have an inevitable weak point.

I share your concerns completely and have overthought this topic enough that I am considering going back to using the OEM plug. Other than the inconvenience of taking off skids, I had no issue with slowly removing the plug and maintaining a slow/steady flow of oil into the catch pan. The main issue with all the videos out there is they just rip it out and let the stream flow...

I looked into the UPR myself and decided against it. Honestly, due to the popularity and feedback of the Ronin. That said and after installing the Ronin, it does seem that features like the double o-rings and locking tabs are superior to that of the single o-ring and wave washer that the Ronin offers. I would like to think the double o-ring would stop the "weeping", but cannot find any reviews on that. It is funny, because you are the only other member that has ever mentioned the "weeping" going on... No way we are the only two!

Nope, you're not the only two.

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