Thread: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug

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  1. #1 help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GT Level Member orange57's Avatar
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    So I'm trying to change the oil on my new to me 04.gtp. So the previous owner must have been a moron, because the plug is completely rounded, no wrench grips it. Using some channel locks I get good grip, but all of my might isn't enough to budge it. Any tips? At least I know I need a new drain plug now.

    matt
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  2. #2 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    I live here. Slick2500's Avatar
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    Easy out.
    2003 Redfire Metallic Chevy Tahoe Z71 - Airaid Modular Intake Tube, Flowmaster Exhaust.
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  3. #3 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GTP Level Member Twizted 1's Avatar
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    Stripped Bolt extractor set would be your best bet. I would use drilling as a last resort. If it's that tight you'll probably break an ease out.
    Autozone has an erwin set that should do the job.
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  4. #4 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    I live here. SlowNA06's Avatar
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    Moar leverage... pole on the channel locks. Or sledge hammer them. Also, make sure lefty-loosey.
    Irridium spark plugs last 100k mi and work just as well as copper. Copper is a waste on N/A and only lasts 15k mi. Don't use Platinum.
    Use 195* tstat unless you can thoroughly explain why not; 99.9% don't need a lower temp.
    Almost any oil filter, ever, is of higher quality than ACDelco. Spend $6+.
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  5. #5 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    I live here. Slick2500's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Twizted 1 View Post
    Stripped Bolt extractor set would be your best bet. I would use drilling as a last resort. If it's that tight you'll probably break an ease out.
    Autozone has an erwin set that should do the job.
    Thats what I meant.
    2003 Redfire Metallic Chevy Tahoe Z71 - Airaid Modular Intake Tube, Flowmaster Exhaust.
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  6. #6 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    small pipe wrench, or real vise grips, then buy a new bolt.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  7. #7 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    I live here. Slick2500's Avatar
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    Buy a new plug before you remove the old one lol.
    2003 Redfire Metallic Chevy Tahoe Z71 - Airaid Modular Intake Tube, Flowmaster Exhaust.
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    Superchargers take away horsepower
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  8. #8 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GT Level Member orange57's Avatar
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    I have spent the last hour with the channel locks on it and tapping it with a dead blow hammer with absolutely no movement. Whoever put thisin should shoot themself in the face. I'm pretty sure a screw extractor would just snap. Looks like iI may have to drill. Which is a ***** to do without a lift.
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  9. #9 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GrandPrix Junkie
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    Do you have a dremel tool? You could grind the sides down flat enough to make it somewhat of a bolt shape again and just tap a smaller sized socket onto it. Kinda like removing a rounded lug nut by hammering on a smaller socket.
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  10. #10 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GT Level Member orange57's Avatar
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    so after 2.5 hours, i am calling it quits for the night. i started off the evening with plans to change the oil and flush the cooling system. not a drop of fluids was removed this evening because whoever installed the drain plug applied such a torque that it cannot be removed. I may have to go pick up one of those irwin sets tomorrow and see if that works. most of the time i enjoy working on cars, but when i come across something this stupid it really frustrates me. Since there is no crush washer i can only assume the previous owner thought that tighter would stop the drip. i will be surprised if the threads arent completely buggered whe i eventually get the plug out. i should probably plan now for an oversized plug or helicoil now.
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  11. #11 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GT Level Member Kilroy's Avatar
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    I agree with Scottydogs, try a pipe wrench.
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  12. #12 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
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    If the pipe wrench does not work, have you tried vise grips? You can tighten down the vise grips, and if the channel lock are big enough, use them to close the vise grips. If rooms allows get into the teeth, not the flat spot on the end. Clamp the fire out of them. Once you have the good grip, use cheater if needed.
    I know this is not much on technical, I meant it more for moral support. It's got to come off of there. I know how frustrating it can seem when you are in this situation, you are not doing anything different then if you took it into the shop. Just don't give up. :-)
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  13. #13 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GT Level Member orange57's Avatar
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    maybe i used the wrong term, i was using the grips that you can lock on to the screw. it gripped well enough, but not gooe enough to break free. may go pick up one of the irwin extractor sets today.

    on a positive, i confirmed that the low oil level signal is due to a broken wire
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  14. #14 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GT Level Member Madness's Avatar
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    if you are very carefull with a dremel tool or grinder of some sort, i have seen people grind a small slot on the outer edge of the plug. next, take a flat chisel and hammer the plug counter clockwise. be careful, this is just a suggestion!!
    Favorite Quote: You can't fix stupid!!


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  15. #15 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
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    PB Blaster
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  16. #16 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    id go get a 4 to 6 inch small pipe wrench. they are made to grip a smooth pipe, theres room to use it, and you'll be shocked how tight it grabs a rounded bolt.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  17. #17 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    a little one like this would do it.



    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  18. #18 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
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    weld a nut to the end of the plug and let it cool then it will come out easy
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  19. #19 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    to bad most dont have a welder.

    thats good trick if you have one tho.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  20. #20 Re: help: removing a stuck oil drain plug 
    GXP Level Member coolone's Avatar
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    Ok... First a good soaking with 50% acetone/50%ATF mix on the bolt for a while!
    This mix is well known to loosen better than most anything and penetrates into the threads well.

    then I'd use a small piston jack on the end of an extended handle to that pipe wrench (pictured). Go as far as possible with with handle with room that will allow you to use the piston jack. If you have to jack the car higher then do it fist.

    good luck!

    p.s., yeah, make sure you have the new bolt first, lolz... Not necessary, but keeps things going once you get bolt off.
    : )
    Overkill BBC Cam, YT 1.8 RR's, Rhodes Lifters, STGII Heads, GenV, Pacesetters, 3" Exh to Tips, TEP Trans. N*, ID 75# injectors/E85 coming soon
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