Oil Change Question

I have a question for some of the more mechanically inclined dopers. I went to change my oil yesterday and found out that I could not loosen the oil drain plug at all. It is on too tight. I just bought this truck about 3 months ago. Does anyone know a way I can get the oil drain plug off? I have tried with a ratchet and wrench. Is there anyone to get it to loosen?

Try a breaker bar or a cheater pipe. They’ll let you get more leverage on the pan plug.
Also try squirting some WD-40 or liquid wrench on it and letting it sit for a while. That usually helps a lot too.

If the socket won’t work–i.e. if the corners of the plug head round off, and if all else fails, go buy a replacement plug first, then use a big pipe wrench with a big cheater bar.

You may have to jack the truck up some (supporting it with jack stands of course).

Big ol’ socket wrench and a pipe. When it strips, use Vise Grips and a hammer. Beat on the Vise Grips while trying to turn the bolt, and hopefully it’ll break free. If not, take it to one of those $20 erl change places and let them get it off, unless you have your own special tools to cut and drill the remainder of the bolt off.

I doubt the WD will do any good, it’s likely not rusted on, being an oil plug, just some arsehole tightened it too much.

If the hex is still in good shape --i.e., its corners aren’t rounded – make sure you’re using a socket that fits it well (snugly) and find a way to lengthen the handle (ratchet or breaker bar) that you’re using with it. A piece of pipe or a deep socket with an extension can work. Get well positioned so you can really apply a lot of force, and make sure the socket doesn’t cock on the drain plug while you’re pulling on the wrench set-up. Get mean.

The corners of the hex are starting to round off. You think a vice-grip would work?

This is one case where I would take it to a dealer to have it done. They know what to do & they would know which direction to turn too.

BTW, vise grips makes a grip just for nuts.

I saw a commercial for some new tool by craftsman that helps get off rounded bolts… 20 bucks i think for the set…

One word of advice… buy a new drain plug now before you get the old one off… heh…

Painful as this is, take it to the dealer or a good repair shop. It’ll cost, but it might save you having to replace the oil pan because of a buggered thread or cracked drain hole weld.

Once in a while the dragon wins.

Another vote for A-Hole tightened it too much. Have you been going to the cheapo quick change oil place? They did that to my wife’s truck once.

Another vote for A-Hole tightened it too much. Have you been going to the cheapo quick change oil place? They did that to my wife’s truck once.

Do yourself a favor for future changes and buy a quality 6-point socket that fits your drain plug. Most socket that people buy are 12-point and do most jobs just fine. The 6-point will fit the nut tightly and not strip it.

A word of caution (from experience):

When a person uses a long breaker bar & socket to remove a bolt, there is a natural tendency to want to slowly apply lots of force with your arms. Resist the temptation to do this. When trying to loosen stuck threads, it is better to apply sharp jabs (impulses) to the breaker bar using a hammer. In other words, with one hand use a hammer to tangentially smack the end of the bar while applying gentle pressure with the other hand.

Either technique will remove the bolt, but the “slow” method has a tendency to rip threads up.

If it’s three months old, take it back to the dealer.

First off repeat after me

I have seen poeple laying under cars try to turn a drain plug clockwise in an attempt to remove it. :smack: Make sure you are turning it in the correct direction.

Secondly be very careful when using any type of extension on a rachet or wrench You could put so much torque on the tool that it will break. Mr. Murphy, who will be standing right there, will direct your hand to the sharpest pointest thing under the car at just under Mach 4. This is, in the automotive community, is considered a bad thing. The last time I saw this, the guy working next to me had a socket break. It required 10 stiches to close the wound. :eek:

If I was trying to remove a stuck drain plug, I would do this. Get a six point box end wrench, a hammer, and a new drain plug and washer. Jack the car up place the box end wrench on the plug and tap with the hammer as Crafter_Man suggested. WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES WHEN HITTING THINGS WITH HAMMERS

**RIGHTY-TIGHTY

LEFTY-LOOSEY**

Invaluable information.

D’oh! :smack:

Sorry, Rick.

RIGHTY-TIGHTY

LEFTY-LOOSEY
Some nuts are the other way around. It really depends on the nut. I had one on my vw bug that was the other way around & it was such fun to watch them try to unwind it.

with the exception of the lug nuts on one side of some Chrysler cars, some throttle linkages, and the wire wheel knock offs on old British cars I have never seen left hand threads on any automobile. Granted I never worked on nuts and boltswaggons, but after 35 years in this business I am gonna have to ask
Cite?

I am going to try the 6 point box end wrench this weekend. I will have to take off the skid plate once again. I hope it works this time. Do you know where I could get another drain plug? Auto zone did not have any for my vehicle which is a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Thanks for all your help fellas.