[realslimshady]

both eurocarparts and my local auto factors think the sump plug on my 2.0 t/s is 18mm thread...shame that I need a 20mm copper washer for it and hence it is now sitting oil-less until one turns up...I just read that 3.0l plugs are fitted as a thread repair-is this what has happened?

 

[sraouf]

Not necessarily. The thread of the sump is known to strip very easily so a previous owner my have tapped it with a larger thread instead of helicoiling it. You can try using a tapered sump plug in lieu of a repair available here
Alfa Romeo GTV Sump

 

[realslimshady]

the thread and plug are fine-the problem is that I was provided with a new gasket (by two different suppliers) that is too small. Some 20mm copper washers have turned up today via eBay so the problem is solved-I just wondered why the plug/thread is different to what is expected.