Help with oil drain plug!!!!!

RxZ · 08-04-2006, 09:13 AM

So, at 18,000 miles I am changing the oil myself for the first time. In the previous miles, the oil has been changed at my local dealership all but 1 time. That 1 time was last time where I had Wal-Mart put in Mobil 1 synthetic.

Well, this morning I am trying to change the oil and I have run into a problem... I CAN NOT get the drain plug to budge at all. I do not have a large set of tools (just a simple tool box kit my dad gave me when I went to college), but what do I use to get the plug free? I swear Wal-Mart used a pneumatic device to get this thing on.

Anyway, thanks for the help. Hopefully I can get this done before going to work this afternoon.

37L1 · 08-04-2006, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RxZ

So, at 18,000 miles I am changing the oil myself for the first time. In the previous miles, the oil has been changed at my local dealership all but 1 time. That 1 time was last time where I had Wal-Mart put in Mobil 1 synthetic.

Well, this morning I am trying to change the oil and I have run into a problem... I CAN NOT get the drain plug to budge at all. I do not have a large set of tools (just a simple tool box kit my dad gave me when I went to college), but what do I use to get the plug free? I swear Wal-Mart used a pneumatic device to get this thing on.

Anyway, thanks for the help. Hopefully I can get this done before going to work this afternoon.

Make sure you are turning the right way then use a breaker bar or an extension to your ratchet handle (I've used a pipe section about a 8-10", slid it over the ratchet and it gave enough leverage to loosen the plug). Be careful you do not round off the plug head. Watch your knuckles!

RxZ · 08-04-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

Make sure you are turning the right way then use a breaker bar or an extension to your ratchet handle (I've used a pipe section about a 8-10", slid it over the ratchet and it gave enough leverage to loosen the plug). Be careful you do not round off the plug head. Watch your knuckles!

It is "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty" right

That is a great idea using the pipe, I wouldn't've thought of that.

RxZ(just makin' sure he is turning the right way)

shawnwat4 · 08-04-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

Make sure you are turning the right way then use a breaker bar or an extension to your ratchet handle (I've used a pipe section about a 8-10", slid it over the ratchet and it gave enough leverage to loosen the plug). Be careful you do not round off the plug head. Watch your knuckles!

same thing he said

get it done yourself, and you'll never go back to the dealerships or any where else.

And watch those knuckles

**bbomar** · 08-04-2006, 09:26 AM

Always remember "Right to tight" and "Left to Loose". Or take it back to Wally World and have them take it off for you!!! If they break it, they will have to pay for it!!

shawnwat4 · 08-04-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RxZ

It is "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty" right

That is a great idea using the pipe, I wouldn't've thought of that.

RxZ(just makin' sure he is turning the right way)

correctomundo my friend.

37L1 · 08-04-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RxZ

It is "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty" right

That is a great idea using the pipe, I wouldn't've thought of that.

RxZ(just makin' sure he is turning the right way)

lefty=loosey, righty=tighty is correct.

**bbomar** · 08-04-2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

lefty=loosey, righty=tighty is correct.

lucy goosey, tighty whitety?? LMAO!!

Sorry had too.

**Helinut1970** · 08-04-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

lefty=loosey, righty=tighty is correct.

Its the opposite if you go by the bottom of the head not the top!!

Ok I think I just confused myself. Just go by the top of the bolt. Now Im even more confused!! What ever!! Do what he said ^^^^

bestatchess · 08-04-2006, 10:04 AM

If they did tighten it to some extraordinary extreme with an impact wrench, and you can't take if off by application of reasonable torque with a ratchet handle, you might take it back to them and have them loosen it & change the oil, with instructions to hand tighten only and not to overtighten. (I like the concept of having them on the hook if they mess it up.) In my experience, constant extreme torque applied with a long breaker bar tends to shear over-tightened bolts and strip threads, while torque applied intermittently, with an impact wrench, will loosen the bolt without damage. If you do shear off the drain plug or strip the threads of the drain hole, it is going to be a major PITA.

Also, the drain plugs are cheap, so if the threads are the slightest bit damaged, I would replace the plug.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...e=11128-VK56DE

sudden urge · 08-04-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37L1

lefty=loosey, righty=tighty is correct.

LMAO at your post. I thought you were a tough guy....

RxZ · 08-04-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

If they did tighten it to some extraordinary extreme with an impact wrench, and you can't take if off by application of reasonable torque with a ratchet handle, you might take it back to them and have them loosen it & change the oil, with instructions to hand tighten only and not to overtighten. (I like the concept of having them on the hook if they mess it up.) In my experience, constant extreme torque applied with a long breaker bar tends to shear over-tightened bolts and strip threads, while torque applied intermittently, with an impact wrench, will loosen the bolt without damage. If you do shear off the drain plug or strip the threads of the drain hole, it is going to be a major PITA.

Also, the drain plugs are cheap, so if the threads are the slightest bit damaged, I would replace the plug.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...e=11128-VK56DE

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. I just came back in from trying to get the plug free to no avail. The Wal-Mart I went to was back in my hometown, so I am going to take it to the dealer to have them extract this plug. Too bad I couldn't get this thing off, I was looking forward to changing the oil myself for the first time. Next time should be during winter, so maybe it will be a balmy 65 degrees then instead of the 90+ degree weather I am dealing with now.

Thanks again everyone!

**Helinut1970** · 08-04-2006, 11:19 AM

Just make sure as soon as they are done changing the oil that you check the plug. If you leave and find out later that they damaged it, your on your own. And dont let them know you had trouble with it!

ttugrad95 · 08-04-2006, 11:25 AM

I changed my oil for the first time last night. I had it done once at the dealer for free the first time and the f*ckers must have used an air wratchet to tighten mine as well. I had to get my air wratchet out to get it free. Who uses an air wratchet on an oil pan? Those things are pretty bad about stripping as it is. Factory spec is 25 lbs of torque on that bolt, and they are doing it to about 200, lol.
Helinut I think what you are trying to say is lefty loosy, righty tighty unless you are doing something like taking your hitch ball off to change it (which I also did last night, talk about a *****), where you are above the bolt and the head of the bolt is towards you. In that case its the opposite.

DRTYAZN · 08-04-2006, 11:28 AM

You can always jump on this... August special combo for the do it yourselfers... get new washers for that stubborn bolt

August's Special!!