Stripped oil change plug

[Dirt55]

Went in to do my oil change as normal. When I went to loosen the drain plug, the the thing stripped very easily without even budging the bolt itself. I didn't know bolt to strip that easily. I could actually feel the metal twisting inside the socket like I could twist the top part of the bolt off.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Also anyone know a good source to order new drain plugs? Need to order one since Chevy dealer is not too common where I live.

Thanks

 

[Natesriv]

The BOLT stripped, or the pan threads?
if it's the nut, Orielly Auto does sell bolts & nuts & such in all the common thread patterns. You might be able to jury rig something until you can get an OEM part.

1st I've heard of it.

 

[pljenkins522]

It is far more likely you've stripped the pan then the bolt. In which case your options are to re-tap the pan and find a bolt to fit or replace the pan. Or, if it's not leaking at this point, you can leave well enough along and drain the oil from the top, though if the pan is stripped and by some miracle not leaking, it could start to at any point due to temperature cycling freeing up the seal around the now non existent threads.

 

[Palmaris]

But if the bolt didn't budge, then it sounds like he rounded off the nut.

So maybe he can't get the bolt off, or would be worried that he wouldn't be able to put it back. Either way, its good to have the option to replace it before you continue.

 

[Natesriv]

OHHH.. Did he just strip the bolt edges...VICE GRIP, change oil, then eBay before the next oil change

11 12 13 14 15 Sonic Cruze Volt Oil Drain Plug w Seal | eBay

 

[Dirt55]

I didn't really round the edges of the bolt at first, the whole top part of the bolt twisted. The main part of the bolt didn't move. But it is damaged to the point you can't use a socket. All this happened with just one or two tries at loosening the bolt. I could feel it twisting the top part of the bolt. The actual drain plug is still securely in place. I use Mobil 1, so I am not to worried going over a little on the oil change.

I did think about using vice grips, but with how easily it seemed to start to twist, I am worried that I will twist the top right off and then I will have to use a tap to get is out.

Is it easier to get them loose with the engine hot or cold?

Thanks for the link. Ordering now!

 

[Dirt55]

Starting to wonder if I put it on too tight one the last oil change. I know used a torque wrench when I was tightening it. Maybe I had it set wrong???????

Or,

I went to a hobby and used their tools. it could be that too. Next time I am bringing my own tools.

 

[mja]

Had this happen at a dealer. Dealer did an oil change, they tightened the nut too much. The next oil change I did myself and stripped the bolt easily.

Was pretty frustrated. Took it back and wasn't too pleased with their overtightening job even thought they said it was torqued to spec. Asked them to loosen it and to tighten only a 1/4 turn after snug. Got it back about 5 min later, bought a new oil drain plug, and did all oil changes myself from that point.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

I am really wondering how you did this. Are you using a open end cheap wrench set? Wait you said socket set. Was it the right size correct? Lucky you didn't screw up the pan's threads. Are you using quality tools, or some from the cheap ones from the import tool store? I have found that some of those cheap tools don't fit as well as they could.

 

[RMinNJ]

What is the correct socket size of the oil plug?

 

[Natesriv]

I'm gonna guess 10mm????? It's small I know that.

 

[ChrisJ]

I almost stripped one using a 12 point socket. A 6 point socket is a must and don't use an open end wrench.

Is there anything left to grab onto that you can lock vice grips onto?

The plug will likely come out easier with the oil pan hot. If you get the engine good and hot and then push an ice cube against the plug and only the plug that will shrink the plug inside the expanded hot threads a little and help it come out much easier.

You may want to bring out several ice cubes. Try not to cool the oil pan it self.

There are tricks to get it out if you ripped off the entire bolt head as well, but I'd rather hear that didn't happen.

 

[River_Rat]

I'm gonna guess 10mm????? It's small I know that.

Yes it is 10mm for those with the hex head plug (I've read that some have a torx head plug and I don't know about those) .

 

[Dirkdaddy]

Yes it is 10mm for those with the hex head plug (I've read that some have a torx head plug and I don't know about those) .

Wow I just got my car a few weeks ago and have yet to change the oil, but have been semi-pro mechanic and never seen one that small before.

Wonder if a oil drain valve would fit the pan? I put one on my Optima SX and it sure is easy to change the oil and I don't have to even grab a wrench or worry about the plug falling into the oil.

I have found the cheaper tools fit on the smaller fasteners is pretty suspect, as the tolerance has to be tighter. That said, maybe the material is too soft. Is it Aluminum or something? Hard to understand a steel drain plug stripping.

 

[Dirt55]

I am really wondering how you did this. Are you using a open end cheap wrench set? Wait you said socket set. Was it the right size correct? Lucky you didn't screw up the pan's threads. Are you using quality tools, or some from the cheap ones from the import tool store? I have found that some of those cheap tools don't fit as well as they could.

I did use the right size. 10 mm. the tools i used were at the hobby shop I was at. (they have auto hobby shops on most military installations). I asked about the sockets when this happened. They are a higher grade, but are some that are supposed to help with stripped nuts where it only grabs from the middle of the sides, not the edges. Anyway, it wasn't really strip from faulty handling, as I mentioned earlier, it seemed the top part of the bolt started to twist, I was twisting the metal. I could feel it. So I stopped, didn't want to twist it off. Still waiting on new plug to arrive in mail. I will use vice grips to hopefully it off.

Thanks for the tip, I will try ice too!

 

[CheapFuneral]

I almost stripped one using a 12 point socket. A 6 point socket is a must and don't use an open end wrench.

I highly disagree with this statement. A 6 point box wrench is the best way to go. Sockets with a ratchet put your leverage below the bolt making it much easier to strip. If you can't seem to make it move, put one hand on the wrench and use your other hand to hit your hand 2-3 times. If it's still not loose take a larger wrench and attach it to your wrench for more leverage.

That being said you think you broke the head of the bolt off. Do you think last time you torqued you did it foot pounds and we're reading specs in inch pounds? Just a guess. If the head breaks off and there is some to grab do vice grips. If that isn't working try taking a saw to cut a slot into the bolt and remove with a flat head. If that doesn't work there are removal tools, the involve drilling the center of the bolt and twisting it out. Good luck!


**** you auto correct!

 

[KlassKlown]

I did this yesterday, will be attempting locking pliers since vise grips didn't work too great. If this doesn't work then removal tools it will be.

Worst part about this is that I called the dealer to see if they had replacement plugs and they said they recognized the weird part number. Apparently, they go through a bunch of those every week on the Sonic...

 

[Beastlick]

Starting to wonder if I put it on too tight one the last oil change. I know used a torque wrench when I was tightening it.

:blankface: This thread makes sense now....

 

[Natesriv]

it's only 15 or so ft/lb isn't it?

 

[KlassKlown]

so my story after destroying the head of the bolt because some moron from the dealership had torqued the damn thing the last time they changed the oil.

1. Destroyed the head because the dealership had left it pretty much round with an adjustable wrench and demolished it even more with locking pliers.
2. So then we purchased some cheap extractor tool to remove what we made from 10 mm to 7 or 8 mm. it snapped in half...
3. So after an exhausting 3 hours, we took the teeth of the locking pliers and made indents on the washer part of the drain plug and ta daa it came off like nothing.

To summarize, GM used crap aluminum that was getting destroyed cold or hot and dealerships have a tendency of torquing the crap out of plugs.