I need HELP!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 650
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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From: North Aurora IL
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Pittsburg Ca.
Tech Contributor
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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
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From: Silver Spring MD
BIGHANK
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
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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
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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
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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
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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