Son of a... (oil drain plug)

[bolognablake]

Dangit.

I went to remove my oil drain plug, and half of it decided to stay in the oil pan, the nut and about 1-2mm of thread came out. The oil is currently draining out SLOOOOOOOOWLY. Hopefully I can drill a small hole in the remaining portion of the drain put, then use a screw extractor to pull it out.

I give the e30 so much love, why can't it love me back? :(

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

just remove the oil filter and run the engine for 15 seconds (no longer!)

that will remove ALL the oil


;)

[bolognablake]

Here are some pics. The oil is almost done draining.

[LINUS]

What the heck happened to stretch-snap your pan bolt? Were you swinging for the fence last time trying to reseal a used crush washer?

Easssssssy on those little crush washers there, Hawse.

And buy a dozen or so of the copper or aluminim ones the next time you hit NAPA.

[bolognablake]

What the heck happened to stretch-snap your pan bolt? Were you swinging for the fence last time trying to reseal a used crush washer?

Easssssssy on those little crush washers there, Hawse.

And buy a dozen or so of the copper or aluminim ones the next time you hit NAPA.

I've been using the copper ones for the last few oil changes. I don't over-tighten, I use a short 3/8" drive wrench, because I don't want to strip the threads on the aluminum oil pan.

I just went to take the plug out and it just spun. I figured the threads in the pan would strip/break long before the plug broke.

[CorvallisBMW]

just remove the oil filter and run the engine for 15 seconds (no longer!)

that will remove ALL the oil


;)

not a good idea! running w/ low oil for any amount of time is no good. The damage caused to your engine by doing that is far worse than leaving a little bit of old oil hanging around in the engine when you change it!

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

not a good idea! running w/ low oil for any amount of time is no good. The damage caused to your engine by doing that is far worse than leaving a little bit of old oil hanging around in the engine when you change it!

holy cow, its a joke!

[bolognablake]

Well, it wasn't near as messy as I thought it was going to be. The drain plug that was in there was hollow in the middle, so all I had to do hammer the screw extractor in the middle, then turn it out.

The aftermath: :D

[Axxe]

Did you use that cordless impact to remove the plug!?

[oldskool3]

Did you use that cordless impact to remove the plug!?

Thats what I was going to ask. I don't think it's a good idea to use power tools when removing/ installing any drain plugs.

[GaryE30]

I've been using the copper ones for the last few oil changes. I don't over-tighten, I use a short 3/8" drive wrench, because I don't want to strip the threads on the aluminum oil pan.

It doesn't sound like he was using power tools, but it looks like he was. Whats the verdict?

[e30pwr]

What the heck happened to stretch-snap your pan bolt? Were you swinging for the fence last time trying to reseal a used crush washer?

Easssssssy on those little crush washers there, Hawse.

And buy a dozen or so of the copper or aluminim ones the next time you hit NAPA.

Any idea if the sizes for this would be availiable from an Ace Hardware Store? I'd put money they are cheaper than at NAPA.

[rThor432]

Did you use that cordless impact to remove the plug!?

Hope not.

[bolognablake]

I had to use the the impact to get what was left of the plug out. It had to spin fast enough for what was left to the plug's threads to bite.

That impact will put out over 260ftlbs of torque, it would NOT be wise to use it to do an oil change.

[bolognablake]

Any idea if the sizes for this would be availiable from an Ace Hardware Store? I'd put money they are cheaper than at NAPA.

At most parts stores they will be size M12.