oil pan drain plug thread strip

[MetalSlug]

Friend just bought a 2002 ford f150, I came by help him change the oil today, when I first try take it out, its feel so easy to take out, i was thinking, mabe it loose, so anyway, take off the plug, wait 30 min for oil drain, I went in for bathroom, friend ran in and say, he cant tight the drain plug, I was like oh no the thread it strip, anyway the car is park in back of my car and that ford need to move before I can back out and go home.

anyway the plug seem keep turn and turn, but it kinda tight, but you still can turn it with wrench, you cant turn it by hand, no leak, but im very worried it might blow out while driving, so I suggest him to fill up with cheap oil and move the car to another spot, because we end up have to drain the oil. until we have to tab the thread with new one.

any one know any idea what can we do at this point, I know we have to tab it or insert a new thread, but I have no idea wat to use. any suggestion.

 

[Colt45ws]

Have you tried just putting in a new drain plug? Often that fixes it.

 

[fxrider]

Oversized drain plug.

 

[JHZR2]

Do you have teflon tape??? I dont think there is a lot of dynamic pressure on the sump, and some vehicles apparently have enough vacuum that you could pull the drain plug running and the oil will not come out.

Id take teflon tape wrap a LOT on it in the correct direction, and then fill up with oil, back the vehicle, and get your car out.

Drain the vehicle for the night if there is any inkling of leakage. Likely it will be fine.

Repair kits are available. Just tap it cleanly, run some cheap oil through to get the shavings out, and use the next size up plug.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: Colt45ws
Have you tried just putting in a new drain plug? Often that fixes it.


the drain plug look pretty new. since it still tight in their, i dont want take it back out because im affaid the thread will be gone, and we cant fill the oil back in to move the truck.

 

[hitmanharleyk]

http://www.lawsonproducts.com/webapp/wcs...Search1%3D26781

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: fxrider
Oversized drain plug.
x2

 

[bluestream]

There not much room to tap threads on a Ford oil pan..

(shown from inside with Fumoto drain valve installed)

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
There not much room to tap threads on a Ford oil pan..

(shown from inside with Fumoto drain valve installed)

OUCH ! i feel really bad since im already in it, cant back out from him now. I keep you guys update tomorrow.

 

[bdcardinal]

Assuming it is a V8, the 4.6 and 5.4L factory drain plugs are a softer material than the pans. The plugs always strip first. People overtighten them all the time because hte torque spec is really low, around 10-12ft-lbs. If it is a V8 the replacement part number is F75Z-6730-BA, they are not expensive at all, under $10.

 

[antiqueshell]

MetalSlug:

It's unfortunate but you're learning a good lesson, be very very cautious about helping friends and relatives with car work. If something goes wrong some will be very understanding, but others will never let you forget that
"you" caused a problem. Of course we know that it was the previous idiot that probably cross threaded the drain plug.

Where did your friend last get the oil changed?
If I were you I would reinstall that plug put the old oil filter back on get it a little dirty to make it appear as if no one worked on it recently and have them man up for THEIR damage.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
MetalSlug:

It's unfortunate but you're learning a good lesson, be very very cautious about helping friends and relatives with car work. If something goes wrong some will be very understanding, but others will never let you forget that
"you" caused a problem. Of course we know that it was the previous idiot that probably cross threaded the drain plug.

Where did your friend last get the oil changed?
If I were you I would reinstall that plug put the old oil filter back on get it a little dirty to make it appear as if no one worked on it recently and have them man up for THEIR damage.


He is my buddy, he like a brother, let him stay at my home while he and his wife divorse time, he just back on his feet.

Anyway he bought the truck off craiglist. but seem like I make it really big deal, I want to think this is just a small problem, it can be fix, anything can be fix. I just off the phone with him, tomorrow after work, we gonna try take off the plug and get 1 size bigger, I heard those are self tab plug.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Assuming it is a V8, the 4.6 and 5.4L factory drain plugs are a softer material than the pans. The plugs always strip first. People overtighten them all the time because hte torque spec is really low, around 10-12ft-lbs. If it is a V8 the replacement part number is F75Z-6730-BA, they are not expensive at all, under $10.


I agree with this statement.

 

[MetalSlug]

update : we could not take off the drain plug, it keep turning no matter which way we turn, but can still turn really tight by finger. no leak yet, but we plan just run like that for next 2-3 months, cause the cheap oil we can find around his home was PP , I want suck out the oil thru dipstick i dont know if that possible.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Assuming it is a V8, the 4.6 and 5.4L factory drain plugs are a softer material than the pans. The plugs always strip first. People overtighten them all the time because hte torque spec is really low, around 10-12ft-lbs. If it is a V8 the replacement part number is F75Z-6730-BA, they are not expensive at all, under $10.


Had the dealer change the oil from day one on my newly bought 2002 F-150 4.6. The drain plug became stripped after a while. I bought a new one at the dealer, sold it to me at that time for less than $7 I believe. Started changing the oil myself afterwards for the most part. Never had any leaks with the new drain plug.

Whimsey

 

[Doog]

Try a new plug. If that doesn't work then JB Weld a fumoto valve in there.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Try a new plug. If that doesn't work then JB Weld a fumoto valve in there.


that a good idea !!!, we already made a decision that just leave the plug in like that until next oil change, 3-5 months, next oil change will start really take off the plug, right now it just sit in tight and no leak at the moment.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: MetalSlug
Originally Posted By: Doog
Try a new plug. If that doesn't work then JB Weld a fumoto valve in there.


that a good idea !!!, we already made a decision that just leave the plug in like that until next oil change, 3-5 months, next oil change will start really take off the plug, right now it just sit in tight and no leak at the moment.


When you do it make sure the oil drains out for 2-3 hours. Then spray the hole with some brake cleaner and wipe clean with a rag. If you can find a one size thread larger fumoto valve just coat it with WELL MIXED JB weld on the threads only (don't clog the valve. Then allow it to cure overnight before re-filling with oil. Zama done!!!

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: LargeCarManX2
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Assuming it is a V8, the 4.6 and 5.4L factory drain plugs are a softer material than the pans. The plugs always strip first. People overtighten them all the time because hte torque spec is really low, around 10-12ft-lbs. If it is a V8 the replacement part number is F75Z-6730-BA, they are not expensive at all, under $10.


I agree with this statement.


+1.

 

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Try a new plug. If that doesn't work then JB Weld a fumoto valve in there.


THIS!
THat is what I did when the pan was stripped on my Saturn Vue with the Honda engine. Its a cast pan, that requires engine removal to change, so I just forced a Fumoto valve into it covered with JB...then plastered more JB on the outside. Worked like a charm.