Ronin Oil Drain Plug

[pilotgore]

Is the Ronin engagement metal? If so, reason number N to stick with Femco: plastic can't break anything on the car. Even if 100 to 1 or better odds, why take any chance.

It is metal, yes.

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[Hoofer]

That’s now 5 that I’m aware of. Did you inspect the plastic nubs inside the oil pan to make sure they were intact?

After mine shot out on track (also safety wired) I bought a new plastic plug from the auto parts store, refilled with oil, and finished out my track weekend. When I was recounting the story to someone else at the track they asked if the nubs in the oil pan were ok. I told them they must be because the plastic plug was holding just fine.

When I did my post weekend oil change I decided to look inside the pan for sh*ts and giggles. To my horror I discovered that one of the nubs was completely broken off, and the other was damaged. How that plastic plug stayed in there for another 4 hours of track time is a miracle.

- Do you have any pics of the broken off nub?
- Did you replace your oil pan?

 

[pilotgore]

- Do you have any pics of the broken off nub?
- Did you replace your oil pan?

Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures. One nub was completely sheered off. The other nub looked like it had be broken in half, with the top of the remaining nub not being smooth. The nubs aren’t very big, but it was definitely noticeable.

Ford replaced the oil pan under warranty. I showed them the video of the oil plug being shot out on track (I’ve posted it here before), so they agreed to fix it under warranty. The didn’t ask, and I didn’t mention I was using an aftermarket plug at the time. I wasn’t going to lie to them, but I also wasn't going to offer up any additional information if they didn’t ask for it.

I believe the total cost would have been $1200.

 

[galaxy]

I don’t recall where, but it has been discussed the differences/harmonics about using a metal plug in a plastic pan. Apparently the two don’t work well together. Novel idea, but…

 

[pilotgore]

I don’t recall where, but it has been discussed the differences/harmonics about using a metal plug in a plastic pan. Apparently the two don’t work well together. Novel idea, but…

Yup, this thread and a few others. The harmonics differences are the leading theory as to why it’s happening.

 

[Michael_vroomvroom]

Scary stuff. I've had about a dozen trackdays with my Ronin plug I think, but this is scary reading.

It makes oil changes a lot easier (just connect a hose, putting the other end in a big bow/bucket with no need to watch/move it afterwards), but now I'm thinking I need to change back to the stock plug before next time.

 

[Michael_vroomvroom]

Zero. Different aftermarket plugs simply offer a cleaner solution to draining oil from the pan.

There was a long floated rumor going around that the plastic plugs were single use only. However, after ALOT of searching, it turns out the only place that says the plastic plugs are single use is on the Ronin website where it’s used as a selling point. Ford specifically tells techs to inspect the plug and reinstall.

Fumco however also imply the OEM is one-time only, or "temporary" as they say:
"the temporary plastic yellow OEM plug in your Ford": https://www.femco.com/product/ford-oil-plug/

I'd trust what Ford says a lot more though, so if they say install after inspection, that should be good enough for anyone.

 

[pilotgore]

Fumco however also imply the OEM is one-time only, or "temporary" as they say:
"the temporary plastic yellow OEM plug in your Ford": https://www.femco.com/product/ford-oil-plug/

I'd trust what Ford says a lot more though, so if they say install after inspection, that should be good enough for anyone.

If you're still within warranty and you track the car, I'd definitely switch back to the factory plug. Knowing what I know now, the juice isn't worth the squeeze.

Regarding Fumco.... shocking that the manufacturer selling the replacement part mentions the ford version is temporary, lol. You gotta sell your stuff somehow

 

[pilotgore]

Fumco however also imply the OEM is one-time only, or "temporary" as they say:
"the temporary plastic yellow OEM plug in your Ford": https://www.femco.com/product/ford-oil-plug/

I'd trust what Ford says a lot more though, so if they say install after inspection, that should be good enough for anyone.

The ford tech's I'm friends with say they've only replaced a few in the years they've been there, and it was always due to bad O-ring's (which makes sense.)

 

[skinnyb]

I may go back to a plastic plug, y'all making me nervous. I had Zero issues with a Ronin on my Gen 3 Coyote F150 in 100k miles, changed every 5k like clockwork. Have had the Ronin in my Mustang for 4k so far, will be doing the first change soon. I don't ever do track days though, I wind it out at least once every drive but don't push my car hard at all so I might be OK..

Main reason I had it on my F150 was the oil stream hit the sway bar and made a HUGE mess when draining, there isn't any obstruction on the Mustang so not a big deal on it. I've got a big long pan so catching the oil isn't a big deal, plus I don't change my oil on it that often. I was changing the oil in my F150 every 2 months for a while

 

[pilotgore]

I may go back to a plastic plug, y'all making me nervous. I had Zero issues with a Ronin on my Gen 3 Coyote F150 in 100k miles, changed every 5k like clockwork. Have had the Ronin in my Mustang for 4k so far, will be doing the first change soon. I don't ever do track days though, I wind it out at least once every drive but don't push my car hard at all so I might be OK..

Main reason I had it on my F150 was the oil stream hit the sway bar and made a HUGE mess when draining, there isn't any obstruction on the Mustang so not a big deal on it. I've got a big long pan so catching the oil isn't a big deal, plus I don't change my oil on it that often. I was changing the oil in my F150 every 2 months for a while

You’ll probably be fine but who knows. I had mine in for 6,000 miles (4,000 track miles) before it was ejected. Seems it happens to everyone when near redline, going into a big braking zone, then downshifting. From the video of mine happening, the plug popped out at the exact moment of the downshift. I’ve posted it a few times before but here it is again as viewed by the Camaro I was passing.



There was an impressive amount of oil on the rear of the car afterwards.

 

[Rapid Red]

Is the Ronin engagement metal? If so, reason number N to stick with Femco: plastic can't break anything on the car. Even if 100 to 1 or better odds, why take any chance.

And I agree, plus I have yet to read about the OME plug falling out. As we know that is a MUCH bigger problem . Then some O ring getting chipped & leaking. Most times the end result of improper handling.

It is metal, yes.

That was my question also (metal), watching the install video you can see the pressure being applied to get that plug installed.

And where does that stress remain, pulling on the tabs on the pan. Over time that will cause cracking and a failure of the tab.

Hard to believe 2.5 gallons of oil in the crank case.

 

[rocsteady]

I think after reading the first couple and then last couple pages, I’m gonna stick with factory. One of the comments on a YouTube video said he thought it was a good idea to have the “rush” of oil with the factory plug removal to help “wash out” any debris in the bottom of the pan that wouldn’t have come out with a slow release with one of these valve-type plugs. Seems to make some sense but either way, I’ll stay with the stock plug in the wannabe racer.

 

[Coosawjack]

How heavy is the Ronin plug??

As the plastic pan heats up it becomes much more flexible and perhaps the sheer weight of the Ronin plug causes damage from flexing vibrations??

 

[pilotgore]

How heavy is the Ronin plug??

As the plastic pan heats up it becomes much more flexible and perhaps the sheer weight of the Ronin plug causes damage from flexing vibrations??

I don’t have a weight, but not very heavy. Definitely more than stock, but it’s not significant.

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