6 speed drain plug size
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans La
6 speed drain plug size
It shows a 17mm on this forum but 17mm is too big on my plug and the next size I have is 14mm in the set I have is too small.
So, it's either 16 or 15mm or it's not metric. I have a 93 C4
So, it's either 16 or 15mm or it's not metric. I have a 93 C4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans La
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 59
From: Trieste Italy
Try to check for any sludge and corrosion on plugs. Sometimes could be. In Trans location do not get so much debris but however i would check...
When i've done rear diff fluid change, allen wrench didn't fit due a little bit of crap in plug. Cleaned it then ok
When i've done rear diff fluid change, allen wrench didn't fit due a little bit of crap in plug. Cleaned it then ok
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
The stock drain and fill plugs use a 17 mm allen head socket.
If yours are not 17mm, they are not stock.
VW, Porsche, and others used the same plug. Some of them used the same external threads with different internal hex sizes. I know VW used both 17mm and 14mm internal hex as well as a tamper proof torx drive.
I just went through this on my '96 and both drain and fill plugs were damaged. The 17mm would not go in, and you could see vice grip marks on the OD. I got them out ok, but did not want to put them back in. If you are wanting to replace them with the right plugs, check our the VW or Porsche part number WHT-001-937 plugs. My local dealers would not get them for me since they changed the part to the tamperproof torx drive. Some people on the forum have had better results at the dealers. I got some online from Pelican parts under the part number WHT-001-937-OEM for about $4 each plus shipping.
Good luck.
If yours are not 17mm, they are not stock.
VW, Porsche, and others used the same plug. Some of them used the same external threads with different internal hex sizes. I know VW used both 17mm and 14mm internal hex as well as a tamper proof torx drive.
I just went through this on my '96 and both drain and fill plugs were damaged. The 17mm would not go in, and you could see vice grip marks on the OD. I got them out ok, but did not want to put them back in. If you are wanting to replace them with the right plugs, check our the VW or Porsche part number WHT-001-937 plugs. My local dealers would not get them for me since they changed the part to the tamperproof torx drive. Some people on the forum have had better results at the dealers. I got some online from Pelican parts under the part number WHT-001-937-OEM for about $4 each plus shipping.
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 534
As others have stated, it should be 17mm. Sounds like you had the same luck I did. Double check that the plug again, as I ran into a similar problem of the 17mm not wanting to fit in. It is an extremely snug fit between 17mm bit and the plug. What can happen (if you're not the original owner) with many of these transmissions is frustrated mechanics take vice grips to every available section of the plug protruding out, in order to remove it, due to them not having the right tool for the job.
You really have to crunch a vice grip on that plug to twist it out that way and in doing so the thinner walls of the plug where it's hollow for the 17mm bit head "push in" from the pressure of the vice grips. I had the same issue. 17 mm would just act like it wanted to start seating in but wouldn't "fit". I noticed all the threads wiped off the plug protrusion and knew someone had taken vice grips to mine. I got the socket lined up perfect as it should've seated in the first place then I gently tapped on the end of the socket with a baby sledge (engineer's hammer) and it seated after a few taps. WD 40 sprayed on the plug hole helps. This also fixed the plug hole so the 17mm fits like it should have anyway.
You really have to crunch a vice grip on that plug to twist it out that way and in doing so the thinner walls of the plug where it's hollow for the 17mm bit head "push in" from the pressure of the vice grips. I had the same issue. 17 mm would just act like it wanted to start seating in but wouldn't "fit". I noticed all the threads wiped off the plug protrusion and knew someone had taken vice grips to mine. I got the socket lined up perfect as it should've seated in the first place then I gently tapped on the end of the socket with a baby sledge (engineer's hammer) and it seated after a few taps. WD 40 sprayed on the plug hole helps. This also fixed the plug hole so the 17mm fits like it should have anyway.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 59
From: Trieste Italy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
If you asked for M17 and were sold M17 there's no need for the return. Measure what you were sold. Did you buy an M17 hex insert into a square socket drive or an M17 key?
Massage the edge of the M17 hex for the first time and then dress the plug after you've removed it to fit the M17. I've always used an M17 hex bit/no square drive and an M17 box-end to remove both the fill and drain.
Did you try the M17 in both the fill and drain?
If you wanted to shop local the plug is M24 X 1.5 but it is TP I believe. BMW - AUDI if there's no VW near you.
Massage the edge of the M17 hex for the first time and then dress the plug after you've removed it to fit the M17. I've always used an M17 hex bit/no square drive and an M17 box-end to remove both the fill and drain.
Did you try the M17 in both the fill and drain?
If you wanted to shop local the plug is M24 X 1.5 but it is TP I believe. BMW - AUDI if there's no VW near you.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Dec 13, 2015 at 06:17 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Santa Barbara CA
These cars are low, and not impervious to scrapes on the plug. feel the walls of the plug with your finger. You may find there's a lip on the edge preventing your 17mm from fitting properly.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 337
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans La
I want to thank everyone for the advise and tips.
What I did was tap the 5/8 hex socket in and got it out without a problem.
What I'm doing is pulling the engine to change the water pump and opti spark and to try and see where my bad oil leak is.
I took it to a so called friendly dealer to early Corvettes and was told the water pump was leaking and that's why the opti was acting up.
They also told me the rear intake gasket and valve covers were leaking
But most of the oil underneath is all around the front engine mounts.
The dealer told me $3,300 to do the job!!! So friendly!
I said forget it! What do I owe you? $280.00, Thank you so much!
What I did was tap the 5/8 hex socket in and got it out without a problem.
What I'm doing is pulling the engine to change the water pump and opti spark and to try and see where my bad oil leak is.
I took it to a so called friendly dealer to early Corvettes and was told the water pump was leaking and that's why the opti was acting up.
They also told me the rear intake gasket and valve covers were leaking
But most of the oil underneath is all around the front engine mounts.
The dealer told me $3,300 to do the job!!! So friendly!
I said forget it! What do I owe you? $280.00, Thank you so much!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 202
From: Trinity FL
QCVette & WVZR-1 are correct on everything. I had to buy a new drain plug yesterday because I had to use vice grips to get the drain plug out. None of my local VW/Audi/Porsche dealers had the item in stock. I ordered from Europa Parts, it was around $4.00 a plug, I got two just to have them.
For what you are doing you certainly don't need to pull the engine, but it will definitely make things easier for you to do a complete refresh.
For what you are doing you certainly don't need to pull the engine, but it will definitely make things easier for you to do a complete refresh.
Last edited by TorchTarga94; Dec 17, 2015 at 08:29 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
QCVette & WVZR-1 are correct on everything. I had to buy a new drain plug yesterday because I had to use vice grips to get the drain plug out. None of my local VW/Audi/Porsche dealers had the item in stock. I ordered from Europa Parts, it was around $4.00 a plug, I got two just to have them.
For what you are doing you certainly don't need to pull the engine, but it will definitely make things easier for you to do a complete refresh.
For what you are doing you certainly don't need to pull the engine, but it will definitely make things easier for you to do a complete refresh.
I would have thought from a dealer similar price, next day delivery and NO SHIPPING. Did they offer and did you price?
For others:
VW/AUDI- part # WHT001937 (specify M17 HEX)
Price and find dealer near you:
http://parts.vw.com/index.cfm?siteid=9
https://parts.audiusa.com/index.cfm?siteid=16
Last edited by WVZR-1; Dec 17, 2015 at 09:12 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 202
From: Trinity FL
I would have thought from a dealer similar price, next day delivery and NO SHIPPING. Did they offer and did you price?
For others:
VW/AUDI- part # WHT001937 (specify M17 HEX)
Price and find dealer near you:
http://parts.vw.com/index.cfm?siteid=9
https://parts.audiusa.com/index.cfm?siteid=16
For others:
VW/AUDI- part # WHT001937 (specify M17 HEX)
Price and find dealer near you:
http://parts.vw.com/index.cfm?siteid=9
https://parts.audiusa.com/index.cfm?siteid=16
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 19
From: SW Chicago Burbs IL
I want to thank everyone for the advise and tips.
What I did was tap the 5/8 hex socket in and got it out without a problem.
What I'm doing is pulling the engine to change the water pump and opti spark and to try and see where my bad oil leak is.
I took it to a so called friendly dealer to early Corvettes and was told the water pump was leaking and that's why the opti was acting up.
They also told me the rear intake gasket and valve covers were leaking
But most of the oil underneath is all around the front engine mounts.
The dealer told me $3,300 to do the job!!! So friendly!
I said forget it! What do I owe you? $280.00, Thank you so much!
What I did was tap the 5/8 hex socket in and got it out without a problem.
What I'm doing is pulling the engine to change the water pump and opti spark and to try and see where my bad oil leak is.
I took it to a so called friendly dealer to early Corvettes and was told the water pump was leaking and that's why the opti was acting up.
They also told me the rear intake gasket and valve covers were leaking
But most of the oil underneath is all around the front engine mounts.
The dealer told me $3,300 to do the job!!! So friendly!
I said forget it! What do I owe you? $280.00, Thank you so much!