Oil Pan Drain plug bolt head stripped. Please Help
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Oil Pan Drain plug bolt head stripped. Please Help
Hey guys, it seems that I come to you all with thes dumbest things sumetimes, but I am stumped. I am so p*ssed right now.
Went out to change my oil this afternoon, and I got halfway through when I couldn't get the drain plug out. I noticed I was having some trouble with it, but I have never had this kind of trouble. Yes, I was using thr correct size socket - 15mm. I noticed it was starting to round off, so I changed my plan. I tried applying heat from a propane torch to the bolt and the pan itself, I tried tapping on both with a hammer while trying to turn, and just about everything else. The socket (6 point) completely reounded off the bolt head, so I switched to vise grips and they are actually moving the metal around.
I am at a loss for words. I have been changing oil in cars for years and I have never come across a stuck plug. The two things that are prevalent in my mind right now are anti-sieze and making sure of a torque value. A new drain plug will definitely be needed.
For the time being, any suggestions on how to get this one out? I am a tool maker (machinist) and I am no stranger to getting a stuck bolt out. I really don't want to have to drill this thing, but I don't know what else to do. Anything I may have missed?
Went out to change my oil this afternoon, and I got halfway through when I couldn't get the drain plug out. I noticed I was having some trouble with it, but I have never had this kind of trouble. Yes, I was using thr correct size socket - 15mm. I noticed it was starting to round off, so I changed my plan. I tried applying heat from a propane torch to the bolt and the pan itself, I tried tapping on both with a hammer while trying to turn, and just about everything else. The socket (6 point) completely reounded off the bolt head, so I switched to vise grips and they are actually moving the metal around.
I am at a loss for words. I have been changing oil in cars for years and I have never come across a stuck plug. The two things that are prevalent in my mind right now are anti-sieze and making sure of a torque value. A new drain plug will definitely be needed.
For the time being, any suggestions on how to get this one out? I am a tool maker (machinist) and I am no stranger to getting a stuck bolt out. I really don't want to have to drill this thing, but I don't know what else to do. Anything I may have missed?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I don't think there's enough clearance, between the drain plug and the engine cradle, for any of these tools to work.
I would try hitting the edge of the head with a sharp chisel, in the right direction to try to loosen the plug.
The oil pan is a two piece design, and the bottom part, with the drain plug, is not very hard to remove. Then you can use the above mentioned tools to get the plug out. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.
I would try hitting the edge of the head with a sharp chisel, in the right direction to try to loosen the plug.
The oil pan is a two piece design, and the bottom part, with the drain plug, is not very hard to remove. Then you can use the above mentioned tools to get the plug out. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
This product got it out finally. Thanks for the suggestions.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXVZ?...0&linkCode=asn
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXVZ?...0&linkCode=asn
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
This product got it out finally. Thanks for the suggestions.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXVZ?...0&linkCode=asn
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXVZ?...0&linkCode=asn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
This product got it out finally. Thanks for the suggestions.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXVZ?...0&linkCode=asn
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CCXVZ?...0&linkCode=asn
Guess they do! It does make you wonder why someone would put a drain plug in that tight. With the rubber gasket, there is no reason it should be that tight.
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
another method I used is to drop the pan, drill through the stripped bolt push another nut and bolt through, tighten it as much as possible, and than turn it with the new bolt i just inserted. Worked well
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 1
From: Mohegan Lake New York
That tool works great, execptional on studs ,a larger version is used on heavy trucks to remove damaged front wheel studs.A trick I learned recently for stuck fasteners heat bolt/nut to as hot as application will allow place a wax candle against the bolt/nut while still hot wait few min. wax will work into threaded area and allow removal.Used this method once on oil galley plugs on BB worked great
