I am curious, but is it normal for the drain plug to leak on Pontiacs? My bonny has a problem with it, not horrible but not good. My GP has the same problem. The bonny has a new plug that is the right replacement. I am kinda wondering if it isn't the -temps out right now or what but it does leak in the summer too, just not as bad. I am almost certain that it is not me or my dad tightening it too much.

did the new plug come with a new O ring seal? and how long ago since new plug / seal?

Make sure the sealing surface on the female part is clean. Might be some dirt preventing a good seal.

Agreed on teh fresh seal. overall 3800 pans (steel or aluminum) don't typically leak.

I've only seen the drain plug leak when it'* loose. Even then it'* little more then a few drips. Are you sure it'* coming from the plug? Wipe it all down real good and lay down some clean cardboard. When you see a drip or 2 then go under and look again.

Yea I am sure its the plug...We just replaced it this last summer....I think we had a new seal. I did a thorough cleaning of the underside of the motor and tried somethings.......I don't know...something might have been done to the car before we got it. When we changed the oil for the first time there was some orange sealant stuff around the plug.....should have known something was up then..

Sounds to me the last owner had the same problem. You changed the plug and have the same problem. Do you see a pattern? The problem isn't the plug, it'* something else. Like perhaps the weld, a crack, or a bad surface.

are you sure you torqued it porperly? The torque on the drain plug is 25LBS...if you have a 3/8" torque wrench verify that you have appropriate torque..(If all else fails)

Yea I was wondering what the torque rating was....just hadn't gotten around to looking it up. I'll get it up on jacks towards the end of this week, before I go back to college...lol..I was wondering if it wasn't cracked....I felt the opening but didn't feel anything unusual or see anything.