To remove a stuck bolt, spray some penetrating oil like WD-40 around the head of the bolt. How important it is to drain all the oil when doing an oil change? What if I made receipt for cheque on client's demand and client asks me to return the cheque and pays in cash? What helped me was using a long armed ratchet and spraying the plug and surrounding area with wd40. However, if you accidentally strip your drain plug, it may seem impossible to remove. The ice trick didn't help. So you don't have to tilt it, and spill any oil when putting your new filter on. They took responsibility, but is it legal for them to replace parts (bearings) to an engine in a lube place and not at an actual mechanic shop? Plus oil. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should check out the pan and make sure it isnt aluminum. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Exert more pressure on the plug and it will eventually come loose. I've also tried using a hex socket with no luck. Don't kid yourself into thinking the shop will do anything different. You really dont want to beat on AL too much. If over torqued, you can cool the plug while the engine is hot (Cold will shrink the plug a small amount), and allow for easier removal. Try a Gator Grip. Sharp raps only. When you change the oil, you have to remove the oil drain plug with a socket wrench. The sheet metal pans on my Jeep V8 stripped their threads. I had them forget to put a seal back on a drain plug which I supplied Mobil1 once on a car. If all else fails use an impact wrench. If it's stripped, it was before you started. Valvoline Instant Oil Change - Over tightened oil filter and drain plug! First remove the engine oil drain plug with the right size wrench and drain the oil into a container. If I knock down this building, how many other buildings do I knock down as well? My wife makes a mistake at her job, someone’s payroll isn’t processed on payday. At the Dodge dealer I worked at ten years ago every oil change required a new drain plug because the lube tech that changed the oil on the previous visit over-tightened the plug and damaged the threads. I have a feeling that the repair shop I took my car in for the service over torqued it. Last OC was from a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location. How on Earth do I get this thing off without stripping the oil pan?? The drain plug and the filter is right on the front of the motor. Go buy the twist socket. Try turning the oil pan drain plug. I had 2 seized in place on my car, but the penetrating oil, and careful massaging of the wrenches removed them after a couple of hours. JavaScript is disabled. Is it my fitness level or my single-speed bicycle? Needless to say, I smashed my fingers. LOOKING at the head of the bolt should be counter-clockwise to loosen clockwise to tighten. Just wrap it around the oil drain plug and turn counter clockwise. Oil Leak from drain plug but not sure why. The plug could have also been over torqued, and the heat could be adding to the issue. It may take several tries. Can a law enforcement officer temporarily 'grant' his authority to another? I had the same issue after replacing my engine coolant. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. If it doesn't budge, take it to a shop. Second, there is absolutely no legitimate reason why an oil pan should be replaced becauise of a stripped fill hole. 1, the metal edges are softer, if you use anything other than the right wrench like a vice grip or crescent wrench, you will screw up you plug after a while. I've run into drain plugs and filters that the factory put on really tight. It may be in the box with the new filter, look before you leave the parts store. Amateur. I usually do my oil changes with the engine warm for the same reason you cite, the oil is a bit thinner and so flows better - particularly in the winter! How can I confirm if my (petrol) car's engine oil was actually changed? Designed for Both Foreign and Domestic Vehicles Ideal for the Removal of Oil Drain Plugs, Manual Transmissions, Transfer Cases, ... saved time and money not having to change oil pan due to damaged threads from quick change oil shops even with an over sized plug installed. How do I safely remove an over-tightened drainplug - 05/30/14 01:13 AM. Oil plug method: If you think you just poured too much of oil on your car engine, then the best way is to drain them from under the car. Add a Little Lubricant Some confusion about what is easier to get off a warm plug or cold. And have fun with that filter. When it broke loose it sounded like a tree limb cracking... Yep, some A-hole had put Loctite thread sealer on the WHOLE plug. Any suggestions welcome. I would use a hand held impact wrench and a hammer. Switch to penetrating oil. It seeps oil from the plug. You must log in or register to reply here. A longer socket wrench works the best because it provides you with a lot of extra torque. You are using an out of date browser. If the plug is truly over-tightened, there’s really nothing you can do but replace it. If you don't have a breaker bar, you can use a bit of pipe on the end of your ratchet. That's why you find mechanics often heat stuck bolts with butane torch. Well, went to change the oil of a family member's car today. At the same end if you over tighten you oil plug you can strip the threads inside the oil pan. Changing your vehicle's oil on your own is a cheaper alternative to paying a shop to do it. Take it back to the place that did it, and let them deal with it. edit: As always, if you're not sure, take it to the shop - they'll do the same thing, but if they break it, it's their fault instead of yours ;). That oil is $$$. Once we distort the threads on the plug, they quickly tear away the threads in the oil-pan. Next get rid of the stupid metal washer Toyota puts on some units and replace it with an approved substitute. On 14mm, 9/16 works fine. The main reason why an oil drain plug gets stuck is due to sludge. I'd advise doing this while everything is cold, though. Oil Change Steps? Leaked all over the driveway. Selecting ALL records when condition is met for ALL records only. If you've already begun to strip your drain plug head, you can buy a new one. The oil drain plug is a threaded bolt made from a soft metal (like aluminum) with a sealing gasket tightened to the bottom or side of the engine oil pan. :irked: What is the best remedy for fixing this? Go to town on it. Track My Order. Running an oiled finger along the rim over the gasket and then hand-tightening (snug plus a quarter turn) the filter to the engine will save you from ending up here again. The plug could have also been over torqued, and the heat could be adding to the issue. Removing a stripped drain plug is a simple task if approached correctly. Usually a customer will … Maga/kag. kinda hard to explain, but one side of the open end goes through the closed end. you just want to make it longer to get more leverage. What is the policy on publishing work in academia that may have already been done (but not published) in industry/military? If it’s not there, buy one. My bolt is stuck..what do you mean by bigger bar? That is what they did. I'm using a 13mm that fits snuggly but I think it may be stripped. His was stripped out and way too tight. @Xolstice You just need the answer to every stubborn bolt - a bigger bar and the correct socket. if you cant get the right angle to go down If the head is stripped force an smaller socket onto the plug. I'm thinking about just bringing it to the Valvoline location that did this and talking to the manager. Valvoline Instant Oil Change review from Hebron, Kentucky rated 1.5/5.0: We went to the Valvoline Instant Oil change located in Hebron Kentucky and had just a simple oil change done. Follow these procedures: First, crawl under the car where the oil plug is located. Depending on materials, you can also heat up the pan side of the fitting, which can help. Are you using the right wrench? If the head of the plug is getting stripped to the point that a 12 point socket isn't able to grip it, a 6 point socket may work better. Go get a reimbursement for it at dealer. So if you’ve damaged your plug and don’t have experience and drive a de won’t car take it to an oil change place they’ll have it out without a word. I make a mistake, a wheel comes off a car. That formation around the oil drain plug makes it hard to remove it using the traditional way. kicking the end of the bar with your boot) is usually better than prolonged torque, which tends to be the cause of stripped heads. Took a few tries but eventually you'll get it. New oil pan, re-tap existing pan and replace plug with a larger one? When replacing the plug, if you cross thread the nut by screwing it incorrectly, or if you screw it too tight you can ruin the thread causing it to spin. 25" breaker bar with pullup type motion, Hammer, or car jack.. depending on bolt and location. 4. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. How was the Candidate chosen for 1927, and why not sooner? To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Since I am having difficulties removing the plug, I was wondering if the heat has caused the oil drain plug to expand and tighten itself to its surrounding? Secondly, the metal does expand and the plug gets tighter, yea indeed. I cooled it down a little bit with the cold pack and used a rubber mallet to knock it loose. The plug still tightens up The sludge forms around the drain plug because the oil in the engine has exceeded its oil change time. 25" breaker bar 5. Thanks for contributing an answer to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange! There is rarely a good reason to use an adjustable wrench (usually if you need two of the same size at the same time, or you're dealing with a large size that you don't have a wrench or socket for). It's unfortunate when a customer comes in for a simple oil change and ends up walking out of the dealership with a bill for over $200. Is this the motors first oil change ? And the oil filter isn't angled at all. For various reasons it’s not when it’s warm. In over 45 years of changing my own (and others) oil, I have never stripped a plug, and I’ve had some vehicles for hundreds of thousands of miles…one for 338,000 miles. Why was there a "point of no return" in the Chernobyl series that ended in the meltdown? All that is required is a few tools and 10 minutes of spare time. Sometimes, an oversize plug can be fitted if that happens. Can I assign any static IP address to a device on my network? It eventually fell out, and shortly after my engine was ruined. The hot oil will begin to pour out. Things You’ll Need: Wrench, Oil Plug. Ensure that all the old oil goes into the pan. It seems like every time I buy a new car, I struggle to remove its oil filter because the previous owner decided to crank that sucker down tight. How on Earth do I get this thing off without stripping the oil pan?? It’s just too tight. It only takes a minute to sign up. Once you've got it out, replace with a new, undamaged plug (and new crush washer). Why was there a man holding an Indian Flag during the protests at the US Capitol? I'd allow the car to cool, then using a 6-sided socket of the correct size on a 12" solid bar, crack off the seal on the plug. Fumoto) now as the next replacement plug. 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