Hey everyone, ive got a problem:

My oil drain plug is stuck and i slightly stripped the nut

What are my options as far as getting the damn thing off?

Should i take it to my local mini mechanic and have him take a crack at it? Are there any pointers i can try myself?

Worse case, what will happen and about how much would it cost.

Thanks ahead of time

-mike 05mcs

 

I have a wrench that works on partly striped bolts I think I got it at sears. I have never tried using in on a drain plug though.

 

You could always try a small pipe wrench if you can't find a specialty bolt remover. Would work on a partially stripped bolt.

 

I don't think that you will need a MINI mechanic in particular... just someone who has spent a fair amount of time working around these types of issues.

I'd be tempted to try and file the rounded edges flat and then hit it with a well-fitting socket and an impact wrench. Lots of penetrating lubricant like liquid-wrench can't hurt, either.

 

Worst case -- the threads come out of the oil pan when you zap it with an impact.


I would just get a pair of vice grips and work it out slowly till it comes loose.

 

were you pushing the right way???

 

lefty loosy .. everything sounds great. ill try them all!... impact last though

 

Good luck, oneMIKE, try to comply next time by torquing the bolt correctly, around 20lbs. per sq. in. or tell your dealer the same and put some permatex never-seize on the threads, just a dab, keeps electrolysis (dissimilar metals) fusion of the metals down to minimum. You can get one of my Dimple drain plugs as a replacement, you can also get them from Mini mania in Ca. Good luck.

 

Or prevent the whole mess by getting a 106 or 106-n Fumoto oil valve on there to replace the oil drain plug. It makes changing your own oil a snap and prevents the over torquing by eliminating the need to twist a bolt! :D

 

+1

 

There is no problem here ladies and gentlemen! Life is a learning experience and we need to learn how to do things correctly, it's really not hard. Your going to want to teach your son some day to do some things mechanical? Like changing the oil in the lawnmower and the mini,etc. How can we say we are gearheads when we cant change the oil? Yes we can! approach a problem head on, there are many people here in the forum ready to help including me. Anytime.
Cheers

 

Speaking from experience, any mechanic would just heat up the plug with a torch, and then use a 1/2 inch box end wrench.......try to turn it, if not, little more heat.

Expansion of the different metals involved will enable you to loosen the plug.

So any any shop that has a torch should be able to do this. It is a common problem for many cars. Not just mini's.

In future, USE ONLY 1/2 sockets or box end wrenches...these plugs are actually 1/2". And fit better than the metric.