Oil drain bolt is rounded off

Status
Not open for further replies.
The other bad news: if the car's oil was changed recently, it had to be with an extractor. Way too much rust on that drain plug to be done recently unless it was a flood damaged car.

Many good suggestions here. If a good set of vice grips doesn't give you enough leverage, next would be a good pipe wrench with a pipe extension if needed.
 
All good suggestions, it gets down to "whatever works" or even "whatever you have". Fortunately, an oil drain plug is the easiest to access of all stuck bolts. (Usually, anyway.)

I'll add in two more:
Hammer on a cheap spline-type socket and then have at it with a big 1/2 ratchet or breaker bar.
File the flats, and then put a normal wrench on it.
 
Originally Posted By: car51
Good link Dave
smile.gif



Thanks.

I bought them for this issue. I have a photo on the 3rd page of the thread. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3682396/3

I have used them on a few yellow metal fittings too and they worked great.
 
I have a different approach to this problem. Realize the car has been extremely poorly maintained and dump it. You got screwed. Go find another car.
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Vise grips was my first thought as well, but Trav mentioned a pipe wrench and I think it's better since it tightens by itself. Vise grips have to be put on really tight, which can be hard in some cases.


My thoughts.
 
The vise grips or pipe wrench should work just fine. That's a cast pan so I wouldn't recommend using a hammer anywhere near it or you could easily crack it.
 
Originally Posted By: BigD1
I would use Irwin Bolt-Grip extractor socket. Lowe's keeps them in stock.

I've seen them at AAP, too. BTW, the rust is still bright orange, so it might be from road salt. Old rust would be darker.
 
Last edited:
I keep 6 point wrenches separate for oil plugs - might work. If vise grips will not do it - a small pipe wrench with fresh jaws.
Warm it up with a few taps from a hammer if it comes to the later.
 
Originally Posted By: bobbobtar
Take it to JIFFY LUBE for an oil change.

Yup. What I would do. Get the bolt off and an oil change. Thats a deal!
 
Original owner could have gone to a place with a policy to make all the add ons expensive. $19 oil change with a $12 plug suggested. You know the place. $25 wiper blades, $150 to install a serpentine belt when the old one gets its first (inconsequential) cracks.

First time it's pointed out, the customer says, well can you get the old one back on there? They say "yeah but" and the customer smugly says, you had me at "yeah".

Then every subsequent visit the customer gets off on "beating the system" in a positive psychological feedback loop.

I would just find a junky harbor freight socket from the junk box and weld it to what's left of the plug.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom