Oil Drain Plug Stripped (Quick Lube guys say nothing!)

MichaelZ · #1 04/29/15, 04:09 PM

After having my new (used) car oil changed twice at a quick lube, I changed oil this time myself. The oil drain plug was stripped and could almost be removed without even a wrench! I know that they knew this was the case! But told me nothing! My car could have been ruined had that plug fallen out. Don't know if they did it but I suspect they did since otherwise they would probably have told me. Oh well, I won't be going back to them!

I put in an oversized self-tapping plug with another smaller plug within it. Don't really like this however as the plug did not go in straight the first attempt half way in so I backed it out and started over. It is in good and tight but I still do not like it. Am thinking of getting a new pan with plug. Cost is $50 total, including gasket. Think I should? In the mean time I will be watching this oil closely. I doubt that it can work its way out, but leaks could happen.

agmantoo · #2 04/29/15, 06:26 PM

Verify that the replacement pan will fit without having to pull the engine prior to attempting the switch out. I have a vehicle that it is impossible to remove the pan without a complicated task.

**alleyyooper** · #3 04/29/15, 08:10 PM

Also suggest you shop a salvage yard for a replacement pan.

Al

idigbeets · #4 04/30/15, 05:35 AM

Yep go with a new pan...

Nimrod · #5 04/30/15, 10:42 AM

Park over a piece of cardboard and you will soon know if the oil is leaking. If not, I wouldn't mess with it.

I will never take my vehicle to a rapid change place again. One time they put blue colored water in the windshield washer reservoir. It froze as soon as the weather got cold. A new windshield washer pump costs $25. Another time they put the plug in the differential so tightly it wouldn't come out. I drilled it out and changed the 90 weight oil. A few months later I replaced the bearings and seals.

Sawmill Jim · #6 04/30/15, 12:45 PM

If it is tight and don't leak what more would a new pan do ? If it an't broke don't fix it .

Bearfootfarm · #7 04/30/15, 02:04 PM

Quote:

If it an't broke don't fix it .

I agree

You've fixed the real problem, so why spend money and take a chance of creating another one?

ninny · #8 04/30/15, 04:01 PM

When/if you drop the pan, can you cut the old plug out and weld a new one one?

I had a '97 power stroke. Started to pull the pan, bought a Chilton manual first step, disconnect battery cables, second step, remove engine from compartment. That pretty much ended that. I decided that the pan really didn't need to come off after all.

.

MichaelZ · #9 04/30/15, 09:47 PM

It was leaking slightly today (an ounce or two), but the guy at the car parts store said teflon tape on the smaller machined bolt could end that type of leak. Or, maybe it will simply stop. Seems to be less and less. At any rate, I don't want oil all over my floor. If I can not stop the leak I will get a new pan. This is too much like plumbing - and that has historically not been too great for me! For me, standard plumbing tools include several large bath towels to place under the connections for the first few months

idigbeets · #10 05/01/15, 05:31 AM

I wouldnt rely on teflon tape.. it won't stand up to heat very well.

What kind of vehicle is this? I've never owned a vehicle where replacing the oil pan was anything more than taking out a bunch of bolts, drop the pan, install new gasket and pan.. and you're done. In fact thats one of my next steps on the F250 I'm fixin up.

CIW · #11 05/01/15, 08:26 AM

I read this thread yesterday and came back.
Have you thought about cutting the plug out with a hole saw and welding in a replacement?

Bearfootfarm · #12 05/01/15, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CIW

I read this thread yesterday and came back.
Have you thought about cutting the plug out with a hole saw and welding in a replacement?

It would be easier to just replace the pan

TnAndy · #13 05/02/15, 07:52 AM

I'd contribute 5 bucks and a lawn chair to watch somebody do an upside down weld of oily THIN metal.

Ozarks Tom · #14 05/02/15, 06:06 PM

Had that problem on an old beater years ago. I stuck a boat drain plug in, twisted it tight, never had another problem.

MichaelZ · #15 05/02/15, 09:02 PM

Oil update: About 5 drops per 5 hours. So a drop an hour. The handyman version of water torture. I will take it to my local shadetree guy first to see if he has a quick solution. He might have a bigger plug and be good with cutting a new thread with a tap and die (I sure am not with the limited space!). Otherwise, I will get the pan. And a gasket. No hurry I guess.

logbuilder · #16 05/02/15, 09:55 PM

The above idea about a marine plug might just work.

Here is one on Amazon that is available in various sizes starting at 3/8". My only question is whether the rubber would hold up to the temp of the oil. Also, you wouldn't want to be off-roading with it and chance a stick opening it.

http://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Boat-D.../dp/B000MTCRIW

nosqrls · #17 05/02/15, 10:15 PM

Never could trust a place that uses a air impact wrench to tighten a plug that gets torqued to 30 inch pounds max.

Sawmill Jim · #18 05/03/15, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelZ

Oil update: About 5 drops per 5 hours. So a drop an hour. The handyman version of water torture. I will take it to my local shadetree guy first to see if he has a quick solution. He might have a bigger plug and be good with cutting a new thread with a tap and die (I sure am not with the limited space!). Otherwise, I will get the pan. And a gasket. No hurry I guess.

Did your new over size plug come with a gasket?

MichaelZ · #19 05/03/15, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

Did your new over size plug come with a gasket?

Yes, there was a vinyl washer. Trouble is, it did not go in as perfectly as I would like. I may give it another nudge. It appears to be leaking at the washer. I don't think I would want to trust the boat plug - not on a car I owe a lot of money on!

HuskyBoris · #20 05/10/15, 04:33 PM

I used to work at a dealership next to a quick lube,,one day a car pulled out of the quick lube I reconized being one of our customers who complained about our prices.
as she drove past in her 1 year old Audi I heard a clanking,it was the oil filter bouncing along the street and landed almost right at my feet,,I picked it up and brought it inside to the service manager and told him the story and we had a good laugh.
about 2 hours later in comes her Audi on a hook and after a quick minute she comes in,,my boss showed her the filter,,her new engine was close to 6,000 $ in 1994 money,,I will NEVER use a quick lube,,period