Very, very tigh tranny drain plug...just leave it?

[addyguy]

Was going to do a 4-quart tranny drain-and-fill on my 2003 Tribute.

Found tranny plug just fine, put a wrench to it, and tried turning it. Very, very tight, and after about 30 mins of wrestling with it, got it to just turn a tiny bit.

Figured it would 'loosen up if I turned it a bit, but it didn't. Fought it like crazy, and got it to go may 3/4-1 turn, and it was still barely moving.

If it's going to strip, I don't want to force it, and have it not go back in. So, I left it, and went on with the oil change I was also going to do. After that, I was hot and tired, and didn't want to go back to it, but i may later this week...what say you?

 

[Rand]

try spraying it with something like kroil or pb blaster.

 

[bepperb]

Worst case if it strips is you have to drop the pan. How hard is that and how much does a pan cost? Assuming it's a two digit cost and locally available I'd be willing to force it off and hope for the best.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with bepperb, you need to find a source for your pan locally in case you strip the bolt and it can not be put back in.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I agree with bepperb, you need to find a source for your pan locally in case you strip the bolt and it can not be put back in.


+2. I would have the pan and rtv onhand; return it if it's not needed.

 

[Bgallagher]

I agree with the other guys. Make sure to have a spare just in case. Also, you can try a pipe if you have around. Put it over the wrench and grab it at the end of the pipe. Help give you more arm torque. Might do the trick. PB blaster or Kroil is also a good idea.

 

[JustinH]

I'm all for DIY, but I just paid $79 to have a pan dropped and new filter/gasket/fluid on a pontiac.

Heck for 79 dollars you can barely buy the fluid and filter. Let someone do it on a lift and spend the 79 dollars, there are some jobs that are just too messy to do in your driveway.

 

[addyguy]

Trust me, right doing a pan drop is NOT an option!

This is an open condo parking spot, where only 'minor' procedures are allowed...

I'm guessing that it''s going to be fine. When I worked at WM, we had lots of cars come in with plugs that were nightmarishly tigt...if you just tirned the wrench slow and steady, they seemed to eventually come off in good shape, and went back in just fine.

 

[TC]

As mentioned before, if you try it again, use a penetrant such as Liquid Wrench. That alone might help. Perhaps you could have a temporary, expanding rubber drain plug on hand in case things go south. Search for "drain rubber plug dorman" at Google Images

 

[default]

Put a floor jack under the wrench, the weight of the car will break it loose if anything will.

 

[bradepb]

There is no pan on our escapes. The pipe plug is in the bottom of the aluminum trans case and i would not want one to strip out,very scary situation.

There is also not a serviceable filter as far as i know.

I would soak it for a long time and then try a breaker bar with modest effort, it will most likely come loose fine, make sure the trans is cold!
FWIW there is loctite on the original threads mine was very tight the first time i removed it and it was a little scary, pipe threads have a very tight fit.I use a torque wrench to reinstall it but do not remember the in/lb

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: default
Put a floor jack under the wrench, the weight of the car will break it loose if anything will.


I never thought of doing that. Ingenious!

 

[Eddie]

I have used the jack method on my Subaru. I think they have a gorilla tighten the plugs )

 

[addyguy]

Thanks for the info.

I have no idea if this plug has ever been out. When I bought it, it had brand-new tranny fluid in it, but that was most likely for a cooler line flush and fill.

With how caked-on the dirt is on the plug, and how tight it is, i'm thinking it's never been out. It IS moving, albeit very slowly, so I'm thinking if i just ease it out, it will be fine....it's just a lot cheaper if I can get the plug out, and start doing 4-quart drain and fills thann if I have to leave it in, and get a cooler-line flush done.

Still thinking about this....

 

[mechtech2]

The bolt is already 'broken loose'.
The problem is that it won't turn.
I'd bring it somewhere and have it looked at.
With a drain plug, it is not a big deal to change the fluid at a shop - not like yanking the pan .
Easy as an engine oil change.

 

[hattaresguy]

Do the cooler line flush, it sounds like your already starting to strip it.

 

[yonyon]

If it's a pipe plug with thread locker as bradepb says, then no worries. If you keep turning it out super-slow-like it will come out just fine. To avoid this headache in the future a soft setting thread sealant might be a good option. Permatex and Gasoila brand products should both be easy to find.

 

[The Critic]

It is probably just sticky. Just get a super long ratchet and keep turning.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
It is probably just sticky. Just get a super long ratchet and keep turning.


True. If you're working on a bolt for 30 min, you're using the wrong tool.

 

[HerrStig]

You might want to investigate a pump which will allow you to remove the fluid using the dipstick hole as access. Doesn't get it all, but a lot less agro than needing a new pan.