Lawn Tractor Oil Drain Tube 584825501

Defective OEM Part and Replacement Part Issues

The original oil drain tube cracked at 24 operating hours causing the engine oil to all leak out during operation. A complaint was sent to Craftsman on 07/15/2019. Craftsman replied saying they would reply within 24 hours and it was assigned case # 09960293. No reply as of 07/26/2019. The replacement part is well made and fits the application however I was not able to tighten the brass nipple into the engine block because the flats on the hex fitting did not have enough length. When the nipple was threaded into the engine block the wrench could not get purchase on the fitting because of protrusions of the engine block casting around the drain hole. Had to add an extension nipple and elbow to install the tube. The replacement tube is reinforced and much stiffer than the OEM soft rubber tube would not have made the 90 degree bend to stay in the plastic tube keeper on the tractors frame. Installation was not exceedingly time consuming but it required a trip to purchase additional parts, for an install that required screwing a threaded fitting into a threaded hole it was aggravating and a pain in the neck. Overall: Structurally the replacement part is good but not thoughtfully designed. The soft rubber OEM tube should never have been used and the engine could have easily been destroyed because the tube failed during operation. I was notified there would be a return communication and it did not happen, I expect resolution to my initial inquiry.