oil pan bolt or pan threads stripped, options?

[2.5-12]

probably would notice 5 quarts of oil on the the ground and or the oil warning light on the dash...

[Lunner]

That looks like it makes it ridiculously easy for someone that hates you to ruin your day.

Then you're not low enough, obviously...

[blocke]

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

These things?

That looks like it makes it ridiculously easy for someone that hates you to ruin your day.

Matt

Yes those things. Very true, I guess if someone wanted to climb under there and look for it. But if someone was looking to pull that kind of crap, they could just as easily unscrew an OEM drain plug.

[erik325i]

One alternative to replacing the pan is to drill and tap the hole to 14mm and then use a 14mm drain plug from a Mercedes or Honda.

[xwill112x]

just leave the bolt out if it isnt leaking. thats what i did.

[E30Nova]

http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/

These things?

That looks like it makes it ridiculously easy for someone that hates you to ruin your day.

Matt

[blocke]

After having to deal with this problem when I first got my e30, I fixed it, and then bought one of those "quickvalve" things. Its a little valve that screws in place of the drain plug. Doesn't leak, and I never have to remove it and worry about the threads stripping again. And oil changes are even easier now.

[akorcovelos]

m12-1.5

[2.5-12]

Ive never seen that timesert product, looks nice

what thread and pitch is the BMW kit on that page?

[akorcovelos]

http://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html

[E30Nova]

Anyone happen to know the size of the helicoil needed for an M20 pan? My pan has been stripped every since I got it, and I've tried using an oversize bolt but it still leaks. I think I need an M12x.50 or something, but I can't remember.

Matt

[SpecM]

this was the first thing I fixed on my first e30

I just used a self-tapping single-oversized drain plug

I poured one quart of oil in the engine with the drain plug out to wash out the shavings

[jlevie]

'll have to get a helicoil plug or something, I have been told the oil pump needs to be removed to pull the pan on these cars and I am just not in the mood at this point

It isn't necessary to remove the pan to install a HeliCoil or Timesert. To keep shaving out of the oil pan, pack the drill or tap with grease, use it just a bit, with draw it clean and re-pack with grease. Don't fret about a few shavings that wind up in the pan. If picked up by the pump they'll be trapped by the filter. Otherwise they'll come out on the next oil change.

[2.5-12]

That's the theory. But they do strip out. Back in the day I worked for a oil change shop, and saw many, many stripped pans.

I replace my drain plug every 10 oil changes or so. It's only a few bucks. You also need to use a new drain plug washer every oil change. They are crush washers, and once they are crushed a few times, the correct torque spec on the drain plug goes out the window. Not to mention it will probably start leaking.

indeed. this plug baaaarely grabs onto the pan its so stripped, I pulled off the crush washer and put on a rubber o-ring so it would stop leaking so much and hand tightened the plug to the maximum torque it would torque (About 1.5 in/lb)

I'll have to get a helicoil plug or something, I have been told the oil pump needs to be removed to pull the pan on these cars and I am just not in the mood at this point

[JGood]

That's the theory. But they do strip out. Back in the day I worked for a oil change shop, and saw many, many stripped pans.

I replace my drain plug every 10 oil changes or so. It's only a few bucks. You also need to use a new drain plug washer every oil change. They are crush washers, and once they are crushed a few times, the correct torque spec on the drain plug goes out the window. Not to mention it will probably start leaking.