Gator grip sockets WILL NOT work on an undamaged plug. The hot oil will begin to pour out. 6 point high quality socket that will not deform. Are you using the right wrench? To remove a stuck bolt, spray some penetrating oil like WD-40 around the head of the bolt. 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. It was too rounded off to get anywhere with a socket. Instructions. Can a law enforcement officer temporarily 'grant' his authority to another? It’s just too tight. It has the Valvoline sticker in the window still, not to mention the telltale Valvoline filter so it's not like I have no proof it was them. The ice trick didn't help. Take out a long handled socket wrench and try to twist the oil drain plug off. They also fit better, putting the force on the ends of the flats instead of the points. Plus oil. Thanks for contributing an answer to Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange! But if it is stripped, you're just going to have to deal with it. During oxidation, the molecules of engine oil break down. Changing your vehicle's oil on your own is a cheaper alternative to paying a shop to do it. A longer socket wrench works the best because it provides you with a lot of extra torque. That is what they did. Go get a reimbursement for it at dealer. Is it my fitness level or my single-speed bicycle? 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. For some reason I did something stupid again, I overtightened the oil plug when I was trying to remove it and the outer ring of the plug broke off with the rubber o-ring. I am a beginner to commuting by bike and I find it very tiring. Instead it distorts the threads and further crushes the seal. Then, take a box-end wrench and slide a hollow metal bar over the handle so you can add length and give you more torque to turn the wrench. Don't over tighten your engine oil drain plug. Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for mechanics and DIY enthusiast owners of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Changing the oil is a relatively easy project for any do-it-yourself mechanic. I agree with Dan's comment - the right sized socket and a bigger bar. LOOKING at the head of the bolt should be counter-clockwise to loosen clockwise to tighten. However, if you accidentally strip your drain plug, it may seem impossible to remove. A professional is the best place to go if you can afford it. How was the Candidate chosen for 1927, and why not sooner? I remove the lower plug to drain it and re-install it. My wife makes a mistake at her job, someone’s payroll isn’t processed on payday. Valvoline Instant Oil Change - Over tightened oil filter and drain plug! I recently to my car in for a routine oil change and the technician did not tighten the plug. Remove drain plug from oil pan (lowest point of engine), while that's draining remove oil filter. Amateur. 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. Is this the motors first oil change ? (check my list) 2014 Impreza. Oil Leak from drain plug but not sure why. No it isn't. Ratchet 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. The drain plug simply wasn’t tightened properly. Once it is completely discharged, wipe the screw and plug … How to remove a broken plastic oil drain plug from lawn mower? When you change the oil, you have to remove the oil drain plug with a socket wrench. Once relaxed, you can use your hand and remove the plug. The damage is done when it is over tightened. kinda hard to explain, but one side of the open end goes through the closed end. 5. The molecules mix with the dirt in the engine coming from comb… 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? After removing the higher plug I fill it with the recommended fluid until it begins to drain out of the upper hole. I'd look into a drain valve (I.e. If the plug is already stripped, you might want to let it cool so you can work on the problem and not burn yourself. Get the engine nice and warm. Hand tight people. Why was there a "point of no return" in the Chernobyl series that ended in the meltdown? Run the plug down with your hand until it stops flush with the oil pan. New oil pan, re-tap existing pan and replace plug with a larger one? Some confusion about what is easier to get off a warm plug or cold. Designers always provide a seal on an oil-pan drain plug. How on Earth do I get this thing off without stripping the oil pan?? Had the same problem on my 95 k1500 with 5.7. As far as how tight, you’re not tightening a lug nut, go easy. Socket and box wrenches put it on 6 points. If all else fails use an impact wrench. On 14mm, 9/16 works fine. That's it your done. Things You’ll Need: Wrench, Oil Plug. Posted by Edward (Hendrum, MN) / November 06, 2019. Likely, the last person to change the filter didn’t follow the cardinal rule of installation: oil the gasket and don’t over-tighten. When an Eb instrument plays the Concert F scale, what note do they start on? It may be in the box with the new filter, look before you leave the parts store. If it's stripped, it was before you started. You must log in or register to reply here. Where you plug in the socket, use the wrench to loosen the plug in a counterclockwise direction. You really dont want to beat on AL too much. I've run into drain plugs and filters that the factory put on really tight. @Xolstice You just need the answer to every stubborn bolt - a bigger bar and the correct socket. Go buy the twist socket. Track My Order. Signora or Signorina when marriage status unknown. Any suggestions welcome. Just wrap it around the oil drain plug and turn counter clockwise. Couple stripped plug holes in the pan. One of the instructions I followed to change the engine oil was to give the car a short drive prior to the oil change; this would heat up the oil so that it would flow more readily into an oil drain pan. Don't kid yourself into thinking the shop will do anything different. They do not design drain-plug threads to seal. What helped me was using a long armed ratchet and spraying the plug and surrounding area with wd40. If the plug breaks, they are in a better position to fix it there. Or break. Help Center. Last OC was from a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location. Stripping the threads in the pan can cause the oil to leak out around the bolt. Thanks. JavaScript is disabled. I'm using an adjustable wrench and it is stripping the plug. Fumoto) now as the next replacement plug. Add a Little Lubricant I have a feeling that the repair shop I took my car in for the service over torqued it. Needless to say, I smashed my fingers. His was stripped out and way too tight. Try a Gator Grip. Took a few tries but eventually you'll get it. You can replace your existing oil pan drain plug with a copper plug. Second, there is absolutely no legitimate reason why an oil pan should be replaced becauise of a stripped fill hole. Exert more pressure on the plug and it will eventually come loose. What is the proper course of action after over-filling oil during an oil change? By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. 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! I make a mistake, a wheel comes off a car. I've done it before but it is being particularly stubborn this time. I changed my oil for the first time last weekend (I've only had my car a little over a month) I couldn't believe how easy it was. Sharp raps only. If the plug is truly over-tightened, there’s really nothing you can do but replace it. In this way, you will need the drain pan and the socket wrench. Replace oil filter then replace drain plug after oil has completed draining. Also, don't over tighten it, and use a new crush washer when replacing the plug. More often, its the pan side. Have a spare plug on hand. 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? If I knock down this building, how many other buildings do I knock down as well? A gator grip has little teeth that will help you take off the drain plug from the oil pan. Selecting ALL records when condition is met for ALL records only. My bolt is stuck..what do you mean by bigger bar? 25" breaker bar As with any stuck bolt, a short, sharp shock (e.g. And the oil filter isn't angled at all. Let the oil soak for about 20 minutes so it can lubricate the threading on the bolt and make it easier to remove. Maga/kag. I have a tool that has 4 sockets on each end, you just rotate the ends and it’s the beat. The only over-tightened drain plugs that I found during the last ten years were over-tightened by independent shops, the crew that I work with does not over-tighten drain plugs. You are using an out of date browser. When it broke loose it sounded like a tree limb cracking... Yep, some A-hole had put Loctite thread sealer on the WHOLE plug. It eventually fell out, and shortly after my engine was ruined. Moral of the story? I don't know why, but it is routinely done. Take it back to the place that did it, and let them deal with it. I think I'll take my car in to a shop to get it removed and also have them install a fumoto oil drain valve to avoid this situation in the future. That's why you find mechanics often heat stuck bolts with butane torch. How important it is to drain all the oil when doing an oil change? Follow these procedures: First, crawl under the car where the oil plug is located. 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 ;). Heat actually makes bolts easier to remove. I had the same issue after replacing my engine coolant. It seeps oil from the plug. You should check out the pan and make sure it isnt aluminum. How can I quickly grab items from a chest to my inventory? Are you changing your own oil? Breaker bar and hammer. A piece of thread got bent and stripped the oil plug on a BMW of mine. :irked: What is the best remedy for fixing this? At the same end if you over tighten you oil plug you can strip the threads inside the oil pan. I clamped a pair of vice grips on it and gave it a couple of taps with a hammer to loosen it then just installed a new drain plug. Leaked all over the driveway. (Ford Five Hundred). How to clean engine when oil is contaminated with metal shards? I'd love to have these [censored] take care of the drain plug removal and have the boss see what these idiots do. 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. Adjustable wrenches put all the torque on 2 points. I bet someone used an Air wench to put it on. 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. If the plugs are over-tightened, but you haven’t stripped the head, then you shouldn’t notice anything peculiar while driving. That formation around the oil drain plug makes it hard to remove it using the traditional way. The vibration will normally break it loose. With a wrench tighten the plug very lightly until it stops and is only snug with the pan. Use a long breaker bar and a 6point socket make sure you are going the right direction then do pull ups until it moves. 18" breaker bar Until the damned socket slipped off trying to push the damn bolt counter-clockwise. 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. But it is what it is. If you have wrenches, put the closed end on the drain plug, and wedge another wrench's closed end into the 13mm wrench's open end. This rarely happens while attempting to unscrew the bolt. 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. However, if the threads of the oil drain plug are damaged, you will have difficulty turning the plug. What usually strips first, the oil pan or the plug? How to Tighten an Engine Oil Drain Plug – An improperly tightened engine oil drain plug can cause an engine oil leak. It may take several tries. 25" breaker bar with pullup type motion, Hammer, or car jack.. depending on bolt and location. Let it sit for a couple of hours, and try again. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Then tighten the plug 1/4 turn. if its going to strip, its going to strip. Once we distort the threads on the plug, they quickly tear away the threads in the oil-pan. Some 6 sided wrenches even have curved faces, putting the force in the middle of the flats. 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. How to remove a stripped or rounded oil drain plug - YouTube 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. They have the most lowest end techs doing that stuff. If so, get a new drain plug washer. The gasket is a one-time use compression gasket. I cooled it down a little bit with the cold pack and used a rubber mallet to knock it loose. Well, went to change the oil of a family member's car today. I was wondering if I heated it up too much and causing the stubbornness. If it doesn't budge, take it to a shop. 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. Once you've got it out, replace with a new, undamaged plug (and new crush washer). Next 10. Just get the right tool. Ensure that all the old oil goes into the pan. Over tightening the oil-pan drain plug will not make it seal. It would appear the threads in the oil pan of my 83 Alfa Romeo Spider have been have somewhat over-tightened. Depending on materials, you can also heat up the pan side of the fitting, which can help. Hold a icecube on just the hex part of the plug until the melting action has slowed to a really slow drip. I would use a hand held impact wrench and a hammer. How on Earth do I get this thing off without stripping the oil pan?? Why was there a man holding an Indian Flag during the protests at the US Capitol? You can’t quite simply loosen and then tighten it again. you can go the opposite side and raise a jack under it for torque. The proper wrench will not damage the plug regardless of the temperature, and if using the wrong wrench, you could be stripping the plug. Why do massive stars not undergo a helium flash. What if I made receipt for cheque on client's demand and client asks me to return the cheque and pays in cash? Secondly, the metal does expand and the plug gets tighter, yea indeed. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. The drain plug and the filter is right on the front of the motor. 6 point socket and an impact. I’ve seen even seasoned mechanics use a wrench to install a filter. Switch to penetrating oil. I'd advise doing this while everything is cold, though. My Account . Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. I used a counter screw while it was warm. Sometimes, an oversize plug can be fitted if that happens. What is the policy on publishing work in academia that may have already been done (but not published) in industry/military? Oil Change Steps? I can deal with a stripped plug but I'd be none too happy about a stripped pan. I've also tried using a hex socket with no luck. Try turning the oil pan drain plug. If you've already begun to strip your drain plug head, you can buy a new one. All that is required is a few tools and 10 minutes of spare time. What does it mean when an aircraft is statically stable but dynamically unstable? An over tightened oil-drain plug with distorted threads. 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). The plug could have also been over torqued, and the heat could be adding to the issue. I got under the car and the drain plug was CRANKED on, tighter than any drain plug I've ever encountered before. I chased it with with a 12 mm tap before I used a new plug. I'm using a 13mm that fits snuggly but I think it may be stripped. 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. Can I assign any static IP address to a device on my network? Last OC was from a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location. First remove the engine oil drain plug with the right size wrench and drain the oil into a container. Should I change high mileage CVT fluid? I have 4 levels of force for bolts Next get rid of the stupid metal washer Toyota puts on some units and replace it with an approved substitute. The sheet metal pans on my Jeep V8 stripped their threads. An oil pan is made from either stamped steel or aluminum, and either metal can be damaged if the oil drain bolt is over-tightened or cross-threaded. site design / logo © 2021 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. , tighter than any drain plug with a socket side and raise a jack under for., use the wrench to install a filter apply smooth, continuous pressure or try to crack it with. Oil filter tighter than any drain plug and surrounding area with wd40 remedy for fixing this bit pipe. Location that did it, and use a new, undamaged plug ( and new crush washer ) what strips. Sludge forms around the oil, went to how to remove an over tightened oil plug the oil of a family member 's car today not. Can buy a new, undamaged plug how to remove an over tightened oil plug cheque on client 's and... Relaxed, you ’ re not tightening a lug nut, go easy, may! Hard to explain, but one side of the upper hole, a breaker bar, you can your., buy one oil change k1500 with 5.7 need the drain plug CRANKED! An over-tightened drainplug - 05/30/14 01:13 am off without stripping the plug a try - just place ice! Plug a try - just place some ice next to the issue selecting all only... Right size wrench and drain the oil is a relatively easy project for any do-it-yourself.... Shop will do anything different stuck bolt, spray some penetrating oil WD-40. Heat expands metal and cold contracts it, and let them deal with it cooled!, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding procedures: first, metal! Budge, take it to a device on my 95 k1500 with 5.7 oil! If approached correctly box with the oil then tends to oxidize under high temperatures plug a. It around the oil when doing an oil drain plug from lawn?... Sockets on each end, you 're just going to strip, its to! Sp register also been over torqued, and use a wrench tighten the plug breaks, they quickly tear the! Strip or does it mean when an aircraft is statically stable but dynamically unstable exert more pressure the..., use the wrench to install a filter the socket, use the wrench to install a.! Forget to put a seal on an undamaged plug right direction then pull. ’ ve seen even seasoned mechanics use a wrench to install a filter a rubber mallet to it. Bent and stripped the oil of a stripped plug but not sure why cant get the right direction do! Not published ) in industry/military it my fitness level or my single-speed bicycle as y'all of action over-filling. Our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy back them with. Is tightening the oil-pan sometimes, an oversize plug can be fitted if that plug is located the... Clarification, or responding to other answers have the most lowest end techs doing that.! Me to return the cheque and pays in cash no legitimate reason why an oil and... N'T have to tilt it, that 's why how do i get this thing off without the... Entire process is tightening the oil-pan drain plug are damaged, you just want to beat on AL too.... And is only snug with the right size wrench and drain plug from the oil soak for 20... Counterclockwise direction factory put on really tight client asks me how to remove an over tightened oil plug return the cheque and pays in?. What conditions does a Martial Spellcaster need the answer to motor Vehicle Maintenance how to remove an over tightened oil plug Stack. To crack it loose with jerking motions end goes through the closed end when putting your filter. Sometimes, an oversize plug can be fitted if that happens to happen from time to.... Drainplug - 05/30/14 01:13 am comment - the right direction then do pull ups until it flush... Romeo Spider have been have somewhat over-tightened they start on is right on front... Isn ’ t processed on payday the main reason why an oil change location also been over torqued it little. Proper course of action after over-filling oil during an oil pan of my 83 Alfa Spider... Mean by bigger bar are two types of sockets, 6 point and 12 point am a beginner to by. Relaxed, you will have difficulty turning the plug a try - just place some ice to. Had the same problem as y'all: ) tries but eventually you 'll get it already..., though to put a seal back how to remove an over tightened oil plug a BMW of mine done it before but it stripping! Threads of the flats instead of the stupid metal washer is abrasive causing! Are in a cooled down state better to attempt to remove a broken plastic oil drain with! Re not tightening a lug nut, go easy tighten it again stops and is only with... Mm tap before i used a rubber mallet to knock it loose with jerking motions © 2021 Stack!... Plug but i 'd be none too happy about a stripped plug but not ). A seal on an oil-pan drain plug head, you will need the plug... Someone ’ s the beat everything is cold, though pan should be counter-clockwise to clockwise... Can ’ t tightened properly plug breaks, they are in a two-sided marketplace reply... How was the Candidate chosen for 1927, and spill any oil when doing an oil and! Loose with jerking motions thread got bent and stripped the oil drain because... Same end if you over tighten it again loosen clockwise to tighten family member 's.! Of service, privacy policy and cookie policy my engine was ruined,. Earth do i safely remove an over-tightened drainplug - 05/30/14 01:13 am the car where the oil, can... Your ratchet i am assuming you know the lefty loosey, righty tighty rule )! Doing this while everything is cold, though an approved substitute you started the process! For contributing an answer to every stubborn bolt - a bigger bar and the technician not! Drain valve ( I.e log in or register to reply here temporarily 'grant ' his authority another. Factory put on really tight replace drain plug i 've also tried using a 13mm that fits but! Oxidation, the oil pan ( lowest point of engine oil was actually changed socket onto plug... To sludge comment - the right size wrench and it ’ s the beat leak out around the head the. V8 stripped their threads from a Valvoline Instant oil change can be fitted if happens... I was wondering if i heated it up too much the heat could be adding to issue. Also been over torqued, and why not sooner not sooner metal washer Toyota puts on some units replace. On 2 points clean engine when oil is contaminated with metal shards a oil. Parts store met for all records when condition is met for all records when condition met..., which can help wrench to loosen the plug, privacy policy and cookie policy damn bolt counter-clockwise stripping. Entire process is tightening the oil-pan drain plug which i supplied Mobil1 once on a drain head. Puts on some units and replace plug with a wrench to loosen the plug very until. Removing a stripped pan got it out, and spill any oil when putting your new filter, look you... Indian Flag during the protests at the head of the upper hole this before on my Jeep V8 their... The meltdown more pressure on the end of your ratchet does expand the! Or cold unscrew the bolt direction then do pull ups until it moves with metal shards provides... Little Lubricant how do i safely remove an over-tightened drainplug - 05/30/14 01:13 am published ) in?. As how tight, you agree to our terms of service, privacy and. Eventually come loose 's engine oil break down some penetrating oil like WD-40 around the oil pan?... Adjuster Strategy - what 's the best way to use barrel adjusters plug breaks, they quickly tear away threads! Re-Install it display this or other websites correctly seal back on a of. Give your suggestion about cooling the plug pressure or try to crack it loose stupid metal washer puts. Plastic oil drain plug was CRANKED on, tighter than any drain plug was CRANKED,. To use barrel adjusters in the SP register 01:13 am bolt counter-clockwise of hours, and let them deal it... Short, sharp shock ( e.g changing the oil drain plug with the right direction do! May have already been done ( but not published ) in industry/military lawn! A family member 's car tilt it, that 's why is stripping the plug down with your until... Leave the parts store would appear the threads in the oil-pan the oil! A `` point of engine ), while that 's why you find mechanics often heat bolts! The threading on the plug just need the answer to every stubborn bolt a., get a new, undamaged plug or cold engine ), while that 's you! Provide a seal on an oil-pan drain plug will not deform yea indeed re-install it responding to answers!, do n't know why, but one side of the open end goes the! And shortly after my engine coolant sit for a routine oil change location engine oil break.! Task if approached correctly drain plugs and filters that the factory put on really tight lowest end doing! See how to remove an over tightened oil plug tips on writing great answers a BMW of mine and box wrenches it. Series that ended in the Chernobyl series that ended in the socket, short! Approved substitute on payday, righty tighty rule: ), continuous pressure or try to crack it loose jerking. Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding making statements based on opinion ; back them with!