Oil pan or bolt stripped.. now what?

[stamar]

you dont need to take the old bolt out if its not leaking.

if its violent to take out it could warp the pan.

your plan is fine but u can tap the new plug next to it.

as far as the size, it doesnt matter at all. I would bet the self threading kind makes yours new plug 5/8s. while you are having all this fun though, look into a plug less oil design. you dont even need tools to change the oil

[dantheman]

Yep, I'd plug the hole after tapping, and add a qt., then drain, add a 2nd qt., drain again, and maybe even go with a third qt.

Okay thanks for the explanation. Hopefully this works out, I really don't want to have to swap in a new oil pan like everyone is telling me I have to.

you dont need to take the old bolt out if its not leaking.

if its violent to take out it could warp the pan.

your plan is fine but u can tap the new plug next to it.

as far as the size, it doesnt matter at all. I would bet the self threading kind makes yours new plug 5/8s. while you are having all this fun though, look into a plug less oil design. you dont even need tools to change the oil

So you're saying to leave the current bolt in place and drill a new whole next to it? Because the bolt is stripped and it's not in there tightly, it does leak a little bit of oil so it will need to be fixed.

Yeah I've bumped into that "plug-less" valve while searching that lets you drain out your oil by just turning the valve on. Sounds kind of sketchy but worth a try.

[TurboJake]

What ever you do, do not take Stamar's advice. He doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.


If I'm undestanding this correctly, the old one just spins in place without ever backing out.

There are three easier ways to remove them.
1: Instead of using a socket and a ratchet, and use a box end wrench. Pulling on the end of it as you are turning the bolt, it should slowly turn out. The leverage of the wrench pins itself against the bolt, and you can pull it out that way. Don't pull too hard or the wrench will just come off, it shouldn't take much.

2. Using a really strong magnet pickup tool, REALLY strong.... Rare earth magnet strong... Pull on the bolt as your turning it with the wrench.

3. Again, box end. Turning the bolt while gently trying to pry it out with a screwdriver.


Those should work. If it does, self tapper as recommended, or drill it out and time-sert or helicoil it, and use another stock plug for the rest of time.

If it doesn't work though. I would honestly just replace the pan and motor mounts (gotta unbolt them anyway). It's another good long-term solution, but more work.

And, @Farbin. It's a left handed, or reverse drill bit. Just like a reverse threaded bolt. A standard clockwise drill bit is "right handed".

[stamar]

I didnt know it was leaking then it does have to come out.

If it were not you could leave it in.

Im positive I did say that.

what a rude tude.

[dantheman]

What ever you do, do not take Stamar's advice. He doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.


If I'm undestanding this correctly, the old one just spins in place without ever backing out.

There are three easier ways to remove them.
1: Instead of using a socket and a ratchet, and use a box end wrench. Pulling on the end of it as you are turning the bolt, it should slowly turn out. The leverage of the wrench pins itself against the bolt, and you can pull it out that way. Don't pull too hard or the wrench will just come off, it shouldn't take much.

2. Using a really strong magnet pickup tool, REALLY strong.... Rare earth magnet strong... Pull on the bolt as your turning it with the wrench.

3. Again, box end. Turning the bolt while gently trying to pry it out with a screwdriver.


Those should work. If it does, self tapper as recommended, or drill it out and time-sert or helicoil it, and use another stock plug for the rest of time.

If it doesn't work though. I would honestly just replace the pan and motor mounts (gotta unbolt them anyway). It's another good long-term solution, but more work.

And, @Farbin. It's a left handed, or reverse drill bit. Just like a reverse threaded bolt. A standard clockwise drill bit is "right handed".

Went with number 3. Turns out the PO didn't even use a washer when putting in the new drain plug. Probably a Jiffy Lube job...

Anyway, took us a long time but we finally got it out and used a self-tapping bolt. Glad I didn't have to replace the oil pan!

Again, thanks for the help r3v.

[paperplane94]

I don't know if you heard me but once you get it out...

Helicoil.

[Farbin Kaiber]

And, @Farbin. It's a left handed, or reverse drill bit. Just like a reverse threaded bolt. A standard clockwise drill bit is "right handed".

I don't know how I got myself mixed up, but I did. I have a $300 set of left handed drill bits in my toolbox. Somehow I got myself backwards. Oops, thanks for setting the record straight. I think I was thinking of LHD and RHD cars or something when I posted that and thought left was common, and right was the oddball, well here in the States anyway.

[TurboJake]

I don't know how I got myself mixed up, but I did. I have a $300 set of left handed drill bits in my toolbox. Somehow I got myself backwards. Oops, thanks for setting the record straight. I think I was thinking of LHD and RHD cars or something when I posted that and thought left was common, and right was the oddball, well here in the States anyway.

Easy mistake man. It happens.