Aluminum plug? What about that is a good idea? Yikes!
Stripped Oil drain bolt
- Thread starter Averroes
- Start date
Hey gents, thanks for all the replies. The drain bolt is exactly like the one post by Trav. Stripped maybe the wrong word, more so broke the head of the bolt while twisting it it, it snapped off. The bolt itself was going in easy, i make sure to counter spin before going clockwise so the threads line up properly.
So I tigntened the bolt, spun it one more time and it snapped. so the bolt is in the pan.
Left hand drill bit if you can't just spin it out with a sharp awl.
Clean it with brake cleaner then a drop (just a drop, not all over the place) of super glue on the smooth end of a drill bit see if it spins out CC by hand, do not use it under power.
Edit for clarification.
Edit for clarification.
Last edited:
You have to be careful with a clockwise drill not to spin the stud all the way into the pan Then you get more fun. Since it is aluminum a sharp pick tapped on one side might give enough hold to turn it out. If it is loose ,which seems like it would be unless you cross threaded it like others said.
What is the application? If it is one where the pan is easy to change in car I would be inclined to just change the whole pan.
Hey gents,
So an update on what's going on. So I got the actual bolt at with some help from a friend, used the left hand drill bit and the bolt portion came out, nothing was cross threaded thankfully. However, the magnet portion of the drain plug, which is a tiny piece, is still, well, in the pan. It's stuck to the inside of the bottom portion of the pan.
Now I am wondering, should I drop the pan, take the little magnet out? I do not want to run the risk of it getting sucked up though I know it won't happen since there is a screen on the pump in the pan which would not allow that to happen. Should I leave it or just drop the pan out anyway? Also, thanks again everyone for the help and assistance, it is appreciated.
So an update on what's going on. So I got the actual bolt at with some help from a friend, used the left hand drill bit and the bolt portion came out, nothing was cross threaded thankfully. However, the magnet portion of the drain plug, which is a tiny piece, is still, well, in the pan. It's stuck to the inside of the bottom portion of the pan.
Now I am wondering, should I drop the pan, take the little magnet out? I do not want to run the risk of it getting sucked up though I know it won't happen since there is a screen on the pump in the pan which would not allow that to happen. Should I leave it or just drop the pan out anyway? Also, thanks again everyone for the help and assistance, it is appreciated.
I would leave it, i can't see any harm in a magnet stuck to the bottom of a pan full of oil.
If you can't retrieve it with a flexible magnet tool, just leave it.
Master Magnetics 07229 Bendable Magnetic Pick-Up Tool and Retrieving Magnet, 19” Length, 2 lb. Hold, Multicolor: Magnetic Sweepers: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Master Magnetics 07229 Bendable Magnetic Pick-Up Tool and Retrieving Magnet, 19” Length, 2 lb. Hold, Multicolor: Magnetic Sweepers: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
One of those flexible retrievers with pincers.
62" Flexible Strong Drain Hair Catcher, Grabber Pick-up Tool, Extra Long Retractable Claw Retriever Stick, Use to Grab Hair, Trash, Even Important Stuff from Drains, Sink, Toilet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083Z6ZWNX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T-wMFbS0YFNVA
62" Flexible Strong Drain Hair Catcher, Grabber Pick-up Tool, Extra Long Retractable Claw Retriever Stick, Use to Grab Hair, Trash, Even Important Stuff from Drains, Sink, Toilet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083Z6ZWNX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T-wMFbS0YFNVA
Look in some transmissions and the factory just knocks a dip stick plug into the pan, it cant block anything or get sucked into the internals, same with this. You have a steel pan so it is stuck close to the hole. To remove it get a fairly strong neodymium magnet let it grab the bottom of the pan then slowly move it towards the drain plug hole, it will grab it a pull it to the hole but you may need to use a small stick magnet to get it out of the hole.
Better to break off an AL drain bolt than strip the pan threads.
Hey guys,
Again, thanks for all the suggestions and such. I appreciate it. I decided to just take the pan off. Like you said Trav it was stuck close to the hole, right above it to be frank.
just going to clean the pan as to where the RTV use be, make it smooth and clean the pan out. Then I’ll stick it back on and torque the bolts accordingly per spec. Once again, thanks everyone. Luckily the pan wasn’t stripped. Saved myself what? $100 + labor from my mechanic but more so I learned how to take a pan off, sealant to use and to stay the hell away from aluminium plugs. Cheers.
Again, thanks for all the suggestions and such. I appreciate it. I decided to just take the pan off. Like you said Trav it was stuck close to the hole, right above it to be frank.
just going to clean the pan as to where the RTV use be, make it smooth and clean the pan out. Then I’ll stick it back on and torque the bolts accordingly per spec. Once again, thanks everyone. Luckily the pan wasn’t stripped. Saved myself what? $100 + labor from my mechanic but more so I learned how to take a pan off, sealant to use and to stay the hell away from aluminium plugs. Cheers.
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At least it was not a monster pan that required (or close to) engine removal.
