I need HELP!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
I need HELP!!!!!!
Heres the story. I get the 97 up on jacks to change the oil. Have every thing ready to go and notice that the oil pan plug is all messed up. This is my first oil change with the car. I just bought it 6 months ago. I cant get any kind of wrench on it. No problem Ill run over to the dealer and get a new plug. Get the new plug get home get the old vice grips out and cant get the plug to budge. So I get a water pipe wrench get it on there put all 180 lbs into it and it still wont budge. Now the bolt is really gunked up from both vice grips and the pipe wrench and the plug still wont budge. What do you guys suggest. I have atrip planned this weekend and Ill have to cancel if I cant get it fixed tomarrow. Thanks Rick
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Sounds like someone used an impact wrench on it.
Might have to do the same to get it off. Just be careful not to snap the head of the bolt off or you'll have to drill it out and retap the pan.
Might have to do the same to get it off. Just be careful not to snap the head of the bolt off or you'll have to drill it out and retap the pan.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Really hate to ask, but are you are going the correct way to loosen? Sometimes when under the car I get turned around on direction and need a ratchet to ensure things are going "lefty-loosey" by setting the wrench first. On the oil plug, since a ratchet won't fit due to the front cross-member I have started using the ratcheting box end for this very reason. 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Really hate to ask, but are you are going the correct way to loosen? Sometimes when under the car I get turned around on direction and need a ratchet to ensure things are going "lefty-loosey" by setting the wrench first. On the oil plug, since a ratchet won't fit due to the front cross-member I have started using the ratcheting box end for this very reason.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Take a propane torch and get it nice and hot and it will come loose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,533
Likes: 1
From: North Aurora IL
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
YES YOU CAN USE HEAT!!! You want to heat JUST THE OIL PAN and only enough to get it to around 250-275 degrees. Heating the pan will get it to expand and the plug should remain cool. That should allow the plug to come out easier. DO NOT heat the pan till it cherry RED, yep,,,thats a BAD idea!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
BIGHANK
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
Took it down to the local shop. The owner of the shop owns a 2000 C5. Put up on the hoist took some vice grips and a 4 ft breaking bar and wa-la broke loose. I brought my own oil and filter and a new drain plug, and 30 bucks and an hour later I was back on the road. I love mom and pop shops........ 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
Likes: 4
From: Pittsburg Ca.
It figures get the oil changed and now the oil pressure sensor took a dump. Second time in 3 mos. Thats covered though as the dealership I bought it from had to replace it before I would buy the car from them, and now there gonna have to replace it again. Talked to them today and they said its on them.........
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
It figures get the oil changed and now the oil pressure sensor took a dump. Second time in 3 mos. Thats covered though as the dealership I bought it from had to replace it before I would buy the car from them, and now there gonna have to replace it again. Talked to them today and they said its on them.........
Most dealers don't want to handle problems, just sell you something you don't need.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Took it down to the local shop. The owner of the shop owns a 2000 C5. Put up on the hoist took some vice grips and a 4 ft breaking bar and wa-la broke loose. I brought my own oil and filter and a new drain plug, and 30 bucks and an hour later I was back on the road. I love mom and pop shops........
I know you wont over tighten the plug
Thanks,Matt