Over-torqued oil drain plug

Imp · 07-06-2007, 05:06 AM

What can one expect from a dealer when they over-torqued the oil drain plug?

Background...

I do my own changes after the 1st few visits.... I just like having something on record in the service depts that I've been there as a customer.

3000 miles I bring my truck to the Nissan dealer near my work for 1st oil change. Fine and dandy.

8000 miles I bring it into a different dealer since they are open later on wed so I can make it after work. They change the oil and send me on my merry way.

8200 miles, I start to notice oil dripping from the drain plug. I park on gravel at work, and at home... so never really noticed anything. It was only after I parked in the driveway at home that I noticed some oil and investigated. Call dealer, they tell me to bring it in. No problem. I do so, (after I check that I have enough to make the journey and I do... just a little over 1/2 down on the dipstick) they tell me they do a new oil change, and my next one is free. It was down 5 quarts.

I don't want to go back if they mess up something as simple as an oil change... even with a free one coming to me.

13,000 miles. I have my filter, crush washer, oil, tools ready to go. I pop off the skidplate (10mm bolts) for access to the oil filter, and start to try and undo the bolt from the oil drain plug (14mm wrench). Pull (counter clockwise as stated in the drivers manual... 6 -> 3). nothing. Pull harder... won't budge. Two hands, great leverage, one more shot... nothing. I'm 240lbs... I figure I'm putting about 50 ft-lbs on this thing... which really isn't much. Is the manual wrong and it's really clockwise? Didn't try as I didn't want to over tighten)

Not to be beat by a little oil drain plug, I grab my torque wrench. Let's see what this thing is torqued to. I quit when it reached 70 ft-lbs and *still* wasn't budging.

Has ANYONE had a hard time removing this bolt?

Here's my question to you... at what point can I be concerned that this drain plug was over-torqued from the last oil change stretching the threads? Remember, it was leaking, to the point they may have done irreversible damage now by over tightening it... Imagine if I had gotten it off at 70 ft/lb and if I torqued to to specified (23-29 ft/lb) would it now more than likely leak because the threads inside could possibly be stripped?

What should be my course of action dealing with the service department when I have to bring it in for its next oil change and remedy of this situation? I'm thinking being there when the lube guy struggles to take off the drain plug, with a torque wrench.

Should I say anything more than 50ft/lb and I get a new oil pan and gasket? Would that be an unreasonable request due to fatigue on the threads and pan? Other thoughts on how to approach?

Thanks,
--kC

Helinut1970 · 07-06-2007, 05:27 AM

I think that is reasonable. I would bring it up that they did the last oil change and you know what the torque #s are suposed to be and you want them to take it off with a torque wrench and you watch, because you think they over torqued it. Get the proof and then ask that it be taken care of. I would also get my oil changed at that same dealer until the issue is resolved. One oil change without them doing it and they are off the hook.!

Imp · 07-06-2007, 05:49 AM

Yep... that's why I stopped at 70 ft lbs. They still can't blame me for it... and if I did get it off, and it was stripped, they could have easily blamed me.

--kC

bestatchess · 07-06-2007, 07:58 AM

It is a primary responsibility of fathers to teach their sons not to overtighten threaded fasteners. This is one of the big four things you need to teach your sons. The others are the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and crazy women.

**Nissan Mike** · 07-06-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

It is a primary responsibility of fathers to teach their sons not to overtighten threaded fasteners. This is one of the big four things you need to teach your sons. The others are the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and crazy women.

Don't forget to include in the primary responsibility the "male only" known term of "righty tighty,lefty loosie"
We must keep this simple phrase from women because it is one of the last known secrets that still allow us to dominate simple home repairs and make us look smarter than crap when they fail this test

Imp · 07-06-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

It is a primary responsibility of fathers to teach their sons not to overtighten threaded fasteners. This is one of the big four things you need to teach your sons. The others are the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and crazy women.

I dunno, I don't think I can ever tell my grandkids about the fun times I had as a youngster this one Friday night over-torquing threaded fasteners. But those other three??

--kC