Question about doing oil changes without removing drain plug
- Thread starter SBdadman
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ScottyBoy
Full Access Member
I would not do it. I would go ahead and change the pan and gasket. I just had this EXACT problem with my son's 99 Silverado. He just got the truck so we went to change the oil and saw that it had a wierd rubber plug in place of the factory plug. I couldn't figure out how to remove it and apparently broke it in the process. So we're sitting here trying to figure out what to do and I remember a YouTube video I saw a while back from "Eric the Car Guy". He explained that most vehicle have an oil plug that's actually shorter than the threaded hole. I shined a flashlight in the hole and sure enough, only the first inch or so of the threads were all shredded up. So I'm searching all through my tool chest looking for bolts, and I found a brake caliper bolt. I lost a bolt for my rear brake caliper bracket a while back and I bought a new one, but the new ones come in pairs. I compared it to the oil pan and it looked like the right size so I threaded it in. It fit perfectly! It's the same exact thread pitch as the stock oil pan plug, but it's about an inch longer. So I made a washer/gasket for it out of plastic, and although it was only supposed to be a temporary fix, it's been on there for the last 7 months now.
However, we do plan on changing the oil pan since the gasket is leaking anyways. The makeshift drain plug will stay until I help him replace the oil pan.
However, we do plan on changing the oil pan since the gasket is leaking anyways. The makeshift drain plug will stay until I help him replace the oil pan.
HACK BLOCK
Full Access Member
I own a bmw and for the past 50k miles I've been using a $20 fluid extraction pump through the dip stick tube. I can't say for sure how much is left in the pan but I always been able to fill it with the 8 quarts it recommends
I would think you should be able to wedge a door panel type tool in there and give it some leverage while unscrewing and it will probably come out, I haven't done it with a oil pan but plenty of other things as I tend to over tighten stuff a lot and usually the screw is softer than the nut but not always....
I know huh? I really have to purchase a welding machine!
swathdiver
Full Access Member
Tap it out to the next larger size and or use a helicoil. Do it with the pan on, then dump a few quarts of oil down into the motor to wash out any debris from the cutting, the magnet on the end of your new plug will take care of any missed.
I ran a Jiffy Lube and we did this all the time. Not because my boys cross threaded them, because they came in that way or my boss sent them over from another store because I had them trained to make such repairs and the tools on hand.
I ran a Jiffy Lube and we did this all the time. Not because my boys cross threaded them, because they came in that way or my boss sent them over from another store because I had them trained to make such repairs and the tools on hand.
zraffz
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Aren't these pans cast aluminum? Your average Joe can't weld aluminum and the ones who can, probably can't weld cast aluminum.
If the OP wants a used oil pan, I might have one I can give away for free if he pays shipping.
