Sure Drain stripped threads -- what should I do?

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I did a boo boo. The last OCI, I installed a Fram Sure Drain plug on my '04 Freestar. (I had one on my car, and I like it.) I didn't have enough room to use my torque wrench, so I just used a 3/8" rachet to tighten the Sure Drain plug (I always use a 3/8" rachet to tighten the OEM plug). Apparently, I used too much force, and it stripped the threads. I left it on, because it seemed pretty tight still. Now I can feel oil leaking around the drain plug (it's not enough to leak on garage floor yet). Here's my questions:

1. Do you think I stripped the threads on the plug, or my oil pan? (I used the same rachet I always do, and not any more force).

2. Should I drain the oil now -- into a clean 5 Qt. container, and install the OEM plug to see if it tightens? Or should I leave it until next OCI?

3. If I did strip the pan, do you think I can install the OEM plug, and have it changed under warranty? I also have a leak around the OEM tranmission gasket -- which I'd like to take it in for (others have had this problem).

Thanks in advance.
 
Bummer!
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Man that's gotta be a sickening feeling. I feel for ya.

As far as which one likely stripped - It depends on the relative materials. Hopefully we are talking about a brass valve & a steel pan. In which case the valve should have stripped.

Speaking for me, I'd drain it now and try the original plug. If I didn't drain right away, I would be checking it visually before every engine start, especially if it is loose enough to leak. If the pan is stripped, you can try an oversize plug.

I doubt stripped pan threads caused by improper installation or an aftermarket drain valve would be covered under warranty in the strictest sense. If you have a great relationship with the dealer and he wants to keep your business he might fib about the cause of the leak and get you a new pan under warranty.
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Hope it's just the sure-drain thingy that's stripped. Let us know please. Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone. I'm hoping/praying that it's the SureDrain. Yeah -- it's brass and hollow. But, my pan is alluminum. Since I have the Sure Drain, it will be easy to drain the new oil into the empty 5 Qt. Motorcraft jug I kept. At best, I'm out the $13 Sure Drain.
 
Well now that its stripped it will surely drain! haha. Oh well, sorry to hear it. Can you put the regular plug back in and make it snug up?
 
I wouldnt trust it, It could come out at any time. You should try the original plug and hope the pans not stripped.
 
Are you serious about using a torque wrench on the plug? Do you tighten very many things up? Just asking;most DIY oil changers know when to stop tightening the plug.And,those drain valves are a POS! Just my opinion.
Ok,now to your dilemma; I bet its the drain that is most likely stripped.Brass is soft.If it is the pan you can tap it and use another plug.Been there,done that!I have family members that don't know how tight tight is!
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If your oil pan is stripped you can
A: re-tap the whole...risking getting debris in the pan ...so coat the tap with grease..
B: buy a rubber type plug at the auto parts store ...in those red packages that say "HELP" on them ..this device has a wingnut type tightener on one end and an expanding rubber stopper on the other ...used to use on a car I owned ..worked great
 
quote:

Originally posted by mechtech:
Most oil pan bungs are hardened. It's usually the bolt that goes south.
I hope that's your problem.


My '72 Plymouth 318...that drain plug is hard! I catch heck when I say I use a Crescent wrench, but ain't no way a Crescents going to hurt that plug.

'89 Toyotas a different story. Rounded off a bit. Ha Ha Now I HAVE to use a box end. Most people overtighten everything.
 
Just forget about the Sure Drain and install an oversize drain plug. It will cut new threads into the pan as you install it. After that, find yourself a real nice wrench for the plug. A wrench will give you a more accurate feel for tightness.
 
Don't use an oversize plug unless you have another way of draining the oil. It will keep cutting threads and eventually you will have none left again. Your best bet if the pan is stripped is to find an oversize plug with a smaller drain plug built in and seal the heck out of the main threads.

Next time stick to the stock plug, nothing gained here.
 
Thanks for all your help and comments. I plan to drain the new oil tonight, and ditch the Sure Drain. Hopefully I will be able to get the OEM plug to seat tightly. I never use a torque wrench on the OEM plug. I was trying to on the Sure Drain -- because it states to. I guess my "feel" was too tight for the Sure Drain. I've never had problems over-tightening OEM plugs. After this, I will switch to wrench (vs rachet). I'll post back with my findings.

I'm always amazed at the wealth of information and knowledge on this site.
 
quote:

Originally posted by T-Keith:
Don't use an oversize plug unless you have another way of draining the oil. It will keep cutting threads and eventually you will have none left again.

I think you misunderstood. I was talking about a special drain plug for the purpose of cutting new threads like a tap would do. If it were me, I would just get a tap the next size up a cut new threads; but the oversize plug is suppose to do the same thing.
 
Here's what I did: I drained the oil into a clean container. I removed the Sure Drain plug. I didn't notice any obvious thread damage. After the oil drained, I turned my OEM plug in. About halfway through, it got a little tight (this is about the same time I started to curse). My OEM plug was more than twice as long as the Sure Drain. I backed the OEM plug out, and inspected the threads on the pan (as best I could). I didn't see anything major, so I eased the plug back in with a wrench. I went very slowly, and the plug ended up seating/sealing fine. I dumped the oil back in. I did about 100 miles of city driving yesterday, and had no leaks when I got home (by feeling/viewing about the plug). I think I will be fine if I continue to use the OEM plug. It appeared to (minor) damage the pan threads -- which the OEM plug straightened out. Here's something I noticed on the Sure Drain package:

1. Not to use in Saturn vehicles. (?) - I wouldn't recommend using in a Ford Freestar either. I do have one on my 05 Neon with no problems after 3500 miles and 1 OCI.

2. I don't see any mention of a warranty of any kind. -- I guess I'm out $13. It could be worse.
 
quote:

Originally posted by T-Keith:
Your best bet if the pan is stripped is to find an oversize plug with a smaller drain plug built in and seal the heck out of the main threads.

Glad you got it worked out, but if it were me I'd do the above with a same size plug as OEM instead of oversize. That way you wont further stress the pan threads on future OCs.
 
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