Stripped Out Oil Pan Drain Plug

[MTchevyS10]

Unfortunately, I think I have run into an over tightening drain plug issue that has probably occurred over time.
Now I can't get the plug to come out at all.
(No oil has drained out at all so far)

I've tried putting pulling pressure on the plug as I turn, but am not making it very far. Next I think I am going to try turning and trying to wedge a flat head screw driver in there to get some pressure on it as it goes out.

Anyone run into this problem before?
Any solutions someone might have experience with?

[91sonomast]

yep ran into this with a 2000 Tahoe Limited with stamped pan......had to pull the pan and replace it. what was supposed to be a 30 minute oil change for me turned into a 2 day job lol

[MTchevyS10]

I think if I can just get or have the plug pulled, I can get it fixed pretty easily, as they make self-tapping plugs and tapping kits to fix it if the oil pan nut were stripped.

I think that is *generally* more common when air tools were used though, so I'm optimistic that the oil pan is fine and it's just the drain plug itself...

[91sonomast]

not air tool induced probably, just those stamped steel pans can only take so many oil changes lol. not neccessarily, probably a cause of the plug being overtightened a few times. idk, u might beable to fix it, but with the one i had i tried everything to get the plug and nothing was working

[MTchevyS10]

I hate bringing my truck in for anything, but I will probably make some calls in the morning and see who can give it a shot at making a quick process of it.

[Bill Wheats]

Time to take it to Jiffy Lube for a $24.95 oil & filter change!

[MTchevyS10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill Wheats

Time to take it to Jiffy Lube for a $24.95 oil & filter change!

Haha, my buddy suggested that, but I don't know if I'd be able to get away with it.

[bg's]

You can take a pc of flat stock and cut a u shape into
the end of it. Take this and grind it down at the tips like
a screwdriver. While you try and undo the plug, you
can "wedge" this tool between the plug and pan and
pry against the plug using care. With cautious usage
it might happen that loosening the plug while prying
against it will help the plugs threads "catch" the threads
at the pan allowing you to remove the damaged plug.

[Avgas]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill Wheats

Time to take it to Jiffy Lube for a $24.95 oil & filter change!

hahah wow, they are the exact people that stripped mine's once, then they just left it loose as I drove off leaving a trail of oil, fortunately for me, they only messed the plug, and a new one screwed right in

[Bill Wheats]

Is i spinning? or will it just not turn?
If it won't turn, try heating the bolt with a torch and using a long breaker bar to help break it free. Patience is bliss,
Pulling those oil pans on the 4.3's is often a night maire.

[Solid10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Avgas

hahah wow, they are the exact people that stripped mine's once, then they just left it loose as I drove off leaving a trail of oil, fortunately for me, they only messed the plug, and a new one screwed right in

what a bunch of idiots.

[Solid10]

Quote: Originally Posted by bg's

You can take a pc of flat stock and cut a u shape into
the end of it. Take this and grind it down at the tips like
a screwdriver. While you try and undo the plug, you
can "wedge" this tool between the plug and pan and
pry against the plug using care. With cautious usage
it might happen that loosening the plug while prying
against it will help the plugs threads "catch" the threads
at the pan allowing you to remove the damaged plug.

The best idea

[MTchevyS10]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bill Wheats

Is i spinning? or will it just not turn?
If it won't turn, try heating the bolt with a torch and using a long breaker bar to help break it free. Patience is bliss,
Pulling those oil pans on the 4.3's is often a night maire.

It is spinning. I have a lot of lift on my truck, so it's fairly easy to get to. I don't think pulling the oil pan would be all that terrible with basically no stock front drivetrain in the way, but I'd obviously like to fix it without replacing the oil pan if possible.

[erocksblazer]

[erocksblazer]

sorry, that wasnt they way i wanted that to come out, and it wouldnt let me type either, but anyways check out the oil drain valve, at the bottom of the page, a little pricy, but im gettin one. i was actually looking at this a few weeks ago, and now w/ your situation it looks like a good investment.

[Yogi]

I vote for BG's idea. If you don't have any flat stock, just use 2 screwdrivers.

[MTchevyS10]

Well I have been driving it and it's doing fine right now. If I can't get what I need I talked to some folks I might bring it to, as they said they should be able to get it out.

[andyGates]

The drain pan threads can be repaired with a Time-Sert insert.
You don't have to remove the pan for the installation.
http://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html





Good luck
Andy

[Yogi]

Andy -
Looks like a good kit for repairing the threads bu I don't see anything that would help extract the stripped plug. Am I missing something here?

[compozr2]

just drill the plug out. easy out it. and re tap it for a bigger plug. shouldnt be that hard. i just pulled my oil pan last night. its a 9 hr job on a 4wd p/u in GMs book. if you re tap it w. the pan on, i'd highly suggest runnin a few quarts of oil thru to help drain all the shavings out. maybe get a small magnet and put it thru the plug hole to get any shavings left over.

[JaredPabis]

I've dealt with the threads in the pan being stripped. I used an expansion plug for a bit and then started to worry. It's been re-tapped like twice I think but now she's ok. I think replacing the washer/grommit between the plug, and the pan, every oil change is really important.

I know on my truck (1994 4x4), you have to either pull the engine or drop the 4x4 assembly. Either way not fun. Might wanna look into some JB weld or something.

[dimebags]

Quote: Originally Posted by bg's

You can take a pc of flat stock and cut a u shape into
the end of it. Take this and grind it down at the tips like
a screwdriver. While you try and undo the plug, you
can "wedge" this tool between the plug and pan and
pry against the plug using care. With cautious usage
it might happen that loosening the plug while prying
against it will help the plugs threads "catch" the threads
at the pan allowing you to remove the damaged plug.

I run a lube shop and if this doesn't work we always have to replace the pan

[low98]

you can always just use screw extracting sockets...ask some mechanic friends you have and somebody should have some...takes all of five minutes to place the socket over the plug and turn it out then replace with a new plug...GL

[MTchevyS10]

I've got a used oil pan in great condition for $50 if I want it. I'll probably pick that up before I see if I can get the plug out somehow.

Interested in the sound of the screw extracting sockets, but don't know where to ask or look around for one...

[dimebags]

extracting sockets only help when the head of the plug is rounded off. When the threads are shot if you can't pull and turn it to catch the threads your options are to replace the pan or drill it out

[nolatruck]

This just happened to me as well. Pepboys wanted $1200 to replace the oil pan b/c the labor they said takes 8 hours and there were no oil pans in all of Louisiana, that they would have to order one from Jackson, MS.

So.... I went to the junkyard and found a 97 S10 and took it's plug. Got under my 2000 and used vice grips on the head and moved it left and right until it "bit" the thread again. Grabbed my socket with 15m and it came right out.

The pan threads were fine. We all need to stop going to places that focus on speed and not doing the job right.

[Solid10]

Quote: Originally Posted by nolatruck

This just happened to me as well. Pepboys wanted $1200

The pan threads were fine. We all need to stop going to places that focus on speed and not doing the job right.

Or...change your oil your self