Overtightened Drain Plug
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
From: Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Overtightened Drain Plug
Wanted to do my first oil change on the 2000 I purchased. It appears that the person before overtightened the drain plug. I've tried a 12 point socket with cheater bar, and a closed end wrench. No luck. Came close to rounding off the plug. The engine has been warmed up to operating temp before trying to remove the plug.
Any advice on how to do this without rounding off the drain plug?
Any advice on how to do this without rounding off the drain plug?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 788
Likes: 105
From: Olathe Kansas
You NEED a 6 Point Socket.. that's why its rounding off... besides the dumbass before you who over tightened it.
You Can also try a 3/8 air impact with a 6 point. The air hammering effect will help.
I doubt that engine warm or cold will make a difference.
Make sure you have a NEW drain plug to put back in.. The threads on the old one
are likely trashed.
You can get a nice OEM style with built in O ring AND a magnetic tip on
it at local parts store. Dorman Makes them. It's metric threads with a 15 mm head.
You Can also try a 3/8 air impact with a 6 point. The air hammering effect will help.
I doubt that engine warm or cold will make a difference.
Make sure you have a NEW drain plug to put back in.. The threads on the old one
are likely trashed.
You can get a nice OEM style with built in O ring AND a magnetic tip on
it at local parts store. Dorman Makes them. It's metric threads with a 15 mm head.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Wanted to do my first oil change on the 2000 I purchased. It appears that the person before overtightened the drain plug. I've tried a 12 point socket with cheater bar, and a closed end wrench. No luck. Came close to rounding off the plug. The engine has been warmed up to operating temp before trying to remove the plug.
Any advice on how to do this without rounding off the drain plug?
Any advice on how to do this without rounding off the drain plug?
Last edited by Jeff T.; Feb 15, 2016 at 01:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
You should NEVER try to remove a steel bolt, spark plug, drain plug, etc. from a hot aluminum engine or housing! The chances of removing the aluminum threads with the steel object are just too great. 
Especially if it is in that tight!!
DSTURBD
Especially if it is in that tight!!DSTURBD
Last edited by DSTURBD; Feb 15, 2016 at 01:55 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 121
Yep the tech trying to find an oil leak on the wife's Cruze evidently tightened the oil drain plug waaay to tight before figuring out the oil pan itself was leaking. 1 month later when I attempted to change the oil I rounded it off. Stopped and called the dealership and am waiting on a response from them as when it can be fixed. Said something about checking to see if they have a drain plug in stock. It is so tight its a wonder it didn't crack the oil pan or strip the threads
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If all else fails you might try warming the oil pan with a heat lamp or gun, not a flame source. Avoid warming the drain plug. You might get the drain hole to loosen its grip on the plug. Don't forget using a 6-point socket on a breaker bar.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
From: Fort Walton Beach, Florida
I greatly appreciate the suggestions from all! Thank you!
A six-point socket, ratchet and a few well placed smacks with a rubber mallet did the trick. I definitely didn't over tighten it for the next time.
A six-point socket, ratchet and a few well placed smacks with a rubber mallet did the trick. I definitely didn't over tighten it for the next time.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Kelowna BC
As with most things on your vehicles, you should use a torque wrench. Small and smart investment if you don't already have a couple (you'll need a small one for things like drain plugs).
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Good deal that you got it loose. Don't understand why someone feels the need to tighten it down so tight.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Aiken, SC
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '26
Dad had me in the garage a long time before I could legally drive... How do you explain to someone "knowing" when it's tight?
As I told a neighbor many years ago, it's not a head bolt!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Kelowna BC
1. I've seen too many people messing threads up.
2. It takes maybe an extra 30 seconds to grab and set a torque wrench while in the tool box.
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I agree with not necessarily needing a torque wrench, if you have done the job before then you should be aware enough to know when to stop... personally I only use a torque wrench on internal engine parts, clutch, wheels, stuff like that but if it makes you more comfortable using a torque wrench on the drain plug by all means do it, there is nothing wrong with doing it that way
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 155
Likes: 7
oil drain plug
once you have the drain plug out, throw it away and replace it with a fumoto drain plug . look it up..........fumoto engineering. ball check,secure,no wrench,3 foot hose =no mess. all my cars have one.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
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From: Buffalo Texas
I've looked at and considered one of those very drain plugs for my Vette, but decided it probably wasn't such a good idea. Being as low to the ground as our Vettes are, and that drain plug protrudes down somewhat further than the normal one (plus the fact the drain hole is at the front of the oil pan), I'm afraid of it bottoming out if I drove over a dip at speed or going slow over a speed bump. I don't want to risk the possibility of tearing it off the oil pan. Now, on vehicles that ride much higher off the road, like my truck, that drain plug would be a nice replacement, but I don't think so for my Vette.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 155
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fumoto oil drain valve
low clearance was a consideration on my part as well, however the valve isn't in a vertical position and clearance is good. i've had one on my vet for years now and no problems at all. what bothered me was the chance of stripping the aluminum threads or over tightening. the oil pan on the c5 acts as a structural component and to remove it would not be a walk in the park. it certainly is nice not having to remove a drain plug every time and with a 3 foot hose the oil change is much cleaner. but.......i don't do any off-roading in the corvette .
