dumb question..oil drain plug
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 343
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From: Chicago, IL, USA
dumb question..oil drain plug
just want to make sure that the oil drain plug is regular-threaded, and not reverse threaded? 
tried taking it off today to change the oil but the stealership seems to have impact wrenched that thing on there. definitely more than 22 lb-ft of resistance on that thing. so before i go in there and try to muscle the plug off, i want to make sure it's regular threaded and muscling it counterclockwise wont strip any threads on the aluminum pan. Thanks.
tried taking it off today to change the oil but the stealership seems to have impact wrenched that thing on there. definitely more than 22 lb-ft of resistance on that thing. so before i go in there and try to muscle the plug off, i want to make sure it's regular threaded and muscling it counterclockwise wont strip any threads on the aluminum pan. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by silverz06vette
it is regular-threaded.
Lefty loosey
Righty tighty.
Lefty loosey
Righty tighty.
Also, as the plug is threaded into aluminum, I like to use a torque wrench on mine so as not to over tighten. Proper torque for the drain plug is 18 lb/ft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,785
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From: Sacramento California
Sorry for bringing up an old thread. My drain plug was waaaayyyyy over torqued by the Stealership so I was unsure on the threading and did a quick forum search. Search feature is our friend! After making sure on the lefty loosy, I muscled up and got the plug off and started draining my oil. Thanks CF forum. Then I tried getting the filter off!!!!!!! Damn dealership! Had to run up and get a filter tool to get it off.
Fresh Royal Purple and a new Napa Gold filter later...... I'm happy.
Fresh Royal Purple and a new Napa Gold filter later...... I'm happy.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Sorry for bringing up an old thread. My drain plug was waaaayyyyy over torqued by the Stealership so I was unsure on the threading and did a quick forum search. Search feature is our friend! After making sure on the lefty loosy, I muscled up and got the plug off and started draining my oil. Thanks CF forum. Then I tried getting the filter off!!!!!!! Damn dealership! Had to run up and get a filter tool to get it off.
Fresh Royal Purple and a new Napa Gold filter later...... I'm happy.
Fresh Royal Purple and a new Napa Gold filter later...... I'm happy.
Anyone?
Race Director
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Race Director
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
If you're in front of the plug, it's regular RH thread.
But, I recall people who posted they were laying beneath the car and behind the drain plug. While the plug is still RH thread, it's easy to disorient yourself and be tightening instead of loosening the plug.
It's similar to the "reverse thread" of the spring adjustment bolts (also RH thread)...
But, I recall people who posted they were laying beneath the car and behind the drain plug. While the plug is still RH thread, it's easy to disorient yourself and be tightening instead of loosening the plug.
It's similar to the "reverse thread" of the spring adjustment bolts (also RH thread)...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 17, 2010 at 03:47 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
If you're in front of the plug, it's regular RH thread.
But, I recall people who posted they were laying beneath the car and behind the drain plug. While the plug is still RH thread, it's easy to disorient yourself and be tightening instead of loosening the plug.
It's similar to the "reverse thread" of the spring adjustment bolts (also RH thread)...
But, I recall people who posted they were laying beneath the car and behind the drain plug. While the plug is still RH thread, it's easy to disorient yourself and be tightening instead of loosening the plug.
It's similar to the "reverse thread" of the spring adjustment bolts (also RH thread)...
Race Director
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
C5 is the first automobile I have seen drain toward the front of the car instead of the rear. Not sure I understand that concept. Just got my 01 in August. The previous owner had an oil change place do the last oil change. I found the drain plug was way too tight and the oil filter too loose.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I always do my own oil changes for the same reason everyone else has mentioned. When I first got this Z I had to do some of the same things mentioned here. I had the hardest time getting the oil filter off. I had a filter wrench but it is made of plastic and slipped on the filter. I wound up mangling the filter and saying several choice words. All that need to be done to a filter is spin the sucker up there by hand until it touches. Then give it another 3/4 turn. For the drain plug snug it up good and be done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
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From: Waldorf MD
I always do my own oil changes for the same reason everyone else has mentioned. When I first got this Z I had to do some of the same things mentioned here. I had the hardest time getting the oil filter off. I had a filter wrench but it is made of plastic and slipped on the filter. I wound up mangling the filter and saying several choice words. All that need to be done to a filter is spin the sucker up there by hand until it touches. Then give it another 3/4 turn. For the drain plug snug it up good and be done.
I use a "spring loaded claw" type oil filter wrench to loosen, never any problem. I use a filter wrench to torque.
I use the 1 additional turn rule on all my other cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
If you check the GM Chassis service manual you will find that the Corvette is not the only car with a torque value.
I have always just tightened the filter as tight as I can by hand, and have never had one leak, except on a Malibu which leaked even when tightened with a wrench.
I changed to WIX filters and have never had an oil filter leak again.
I have always just tightened the filter as tight as I can by hand, and have never had one leak, except on a Malibu which leaked even when tightened with a wrench.
I changed to WIX filters and have never had an oil filter leak again.
