Sump Plug Volvo 345 help!!

[S10NPH]

Hi. A couple of weeks ago, I undertook an oil change on my 1.4 345. Everything was fairly standard, until I looked under the car yesterday and saw that most of the oil had leaked out! The sump plug (which I am sure I fully tightened) was quite loose. I tightened it again last night, and it still leaked a bit overnight. And the same again this morning. I have now taken out the sump plug and drained out the oil, so that I can fiddle around with it. The thread on the plug seems to change orientation halfway through - see the picture. Does anyone know why my car is leaking? It was fine until I did the oil change. (And the copper sump ring was brand new from Volvo when I did the change, before anyone asks)

[S10NPH]

Just an update on this post - the problem has seemingly been solved by a brand new sump plug from my local Wilco. £2.95 very well spent!

[macplaxton]

That a very cross-threaded sump plug pictured.

Easy thing to do if care isn't taken putting it in. If the thread it like that on the sump plug, what is it like on the sump boss itself?

[volvodspec]

ouch, looks like you're lucky with this since the sump plugs are a very low quality steel!!!

looking at the thread you got it in at an angle, what sometimes happens on the oldies (b14.2 and older) is that the threaded piece becomes slightly loose, if you screw the plug in a few turns you can even move the thing up and down/left and right. not harmfull but might also be a cause why the above happened

i personally undo the plug with a rattle, but allways screw it all the way back in by hand; like the plugs. that way you instantly notice if you got it at an angle, with the rattle there isn't enough feel to be sure that the plug is in straight.

[S10NPH]

Yes, I think you're right. I absolve myself completely of blame though, as it was like that the first time I took it out (I just ignorantly put it back in assuming it was like that for some proper reason!). Actually, when i had a bit of a feel around, there was some rubber sealant just inside the sump, which the garage that did my previous oil change must have put in to prevent it leaking. Naughty.