While having my oil changed recently,02 cooper, private mechanic, he discovered that the drain plug threads were stripped. Last change done by the dealer. My mechanic informs me I need to go back to the dealer for a new oil pan. Priced out at over $800.00. Any other solutions to this problem? Rethreading for larger plug? anyone have tis same experiance?

 

Hi Grotto. Sorry to hear of your problem. There has to be a better, and cheaper solution to your problem. I usually ask my husband for advice like that, he's an ASE mechnic. Unfortuantely he's out of town right now. Anyway, I know that when he's got a problem like that he will use tap and dies to clean and possibly re-cut your threads. I'm sure that there is enough metal around the original drain hole to even size it up one. You should be able to easily find a plug just about anywhere. If not, you can install a helicoil. If you still have the problem, and no-one else comes up with a better solution, I will ask my husband late tomorrow when he gets home for a solution. Best of luck to you, hope you get it fixed!

 

Looking into to a fix called a heli-coil... Basically what it does is dril the stripped threads out to a larger size.. then with a special tap recut new threads. Now here is the cool part, there is a steel "spring like" part that threads into the new hole and allows you to use the same drain plug... Threads are as good as new -maybe even stronger..

Might have to drop the drain pan to do it because of the shavings created from drilling & tapping - or a really good oil pan flush after the heli-coil install..

But that should do the trick...

 

if you dont want to use a heli-coil, i would use a plus size drain bolt. you can get them at napa. its a self-tapping bolt that is alittle larger then the stock drain plug, ive used them on other cars with aluminum oil pans and they work just fine.

 

Whatever you do, make sure it's flush with the inside bottom of the sump so all the oil can drain out when you open it up.

 

I'm going to guess you mechanic is right, but all the situations I have some across like this the manufacturs make the plug out of softer metal than the pan so the plug strips instead of the pan threads. Just my $.02, prolly not worth much though.

~ Derek

 

+1 to this

 

I'm surprised no one has mentioned taking it back to the dealer that stripped the threads and ask them to make things right.

Minzila

 

Before taking it to the dealer you might want to ask yourself these questions:

Does the dealer know for sure that they stripped those threads?

Does the dealer suspect that the independent mechanic stripped them himself and then blamed the problem on the dealer's service department mechanic?

Would a mechanic that's truly worth his salt typically suggest a new oil pan for a problem such as this, especially for a 5 year old car? Just the fact that oversized self tapping plugs are available at auto parts stores says that this problem is not uncommon?

Heck, try to find out what the Jiffy-Lube places do when their not-so-experienced guys strip the threads (I suspect this happens more often than you think and I doubt they keep a supply of oil pans available).

Might the local auto parts store owner be able to provide a quick solution to your problem? I suspect he or she has a ready answer (they've probably had the situation arise many, many times).

Opinion: I'd go for the oversized self tapping plug. I'm not so sure I would use a helicoil in a situation like this on a thin wall material such as an oil pan. I would worry that it might cause secondary problems like, for instance, interfering with the o-ring.

P.S. Here's what Tom & Ray from Cartalk have to say on the subject:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...ctober/08.html

 

Mr Cooper,

Mull this over.

"Does the dealer know for sure that they stripped those threads?"

The person who stripped the threads indeed does know. Any mechanic with experience feels when threads "give way".

"Does the dealer suspect that the independant mechanic stripped them himself and then blamed the problem on the dealer's service department mechanic?"

Quite possibly, however, I still say the person who stripped the threads more than likely knows.

"Would a mechanic that's truly worth his salt typically suggest a new oil pan for a problem such as this, especially for a 5 year old car?"

Hell yes, a seasoned professional mechanic would know the correct fix for this would be a "new" oil pan regardless of the age of the car. (I can tell you've never owned an older classic auto or motorcycle).

Of the other options, helicoil or similar product would be the next best course of action. A properly installed helicoil is stronger than the original threads. It's made of stainless steel. Correctly installed, it would not interfere with the sealing of the drain plug, which BTW has no o ring but instead has a one piece plug and plastic sealing washer combined. Best chance of sucess with the helicoil would be to remove the oil pan to make sure all debris is removed as well as the insertion tang of the helicoil.

My objections to the "oversized" drain plug are, you're working with aluminum in an area that already has fatigue and the "oversized" plug has a 19mm bolt head as opposed to the factory size of 13mm. The larger the wrench, the easier it is to strip threads. What then, keep going larger? I know oversized plugs are commom, so are shade tree mechanics.
To do this job right, a new oil pan is the answer.

The 28 year old BMW I sold to buy my MCS back in 2002 was a very well maintained car. The new owner has congratulated me for doing a good job of keeping the car properly repaired and maintained. He has never called about an improper repair. That was 5 years ago. I think I would have heard from him if he keep finding botched jobs.

Just one man's opinion.

Minzila

 

$800 Sounds like the shop is ripping you off, from what you've said at worst you need a new oil pan and plug. Can the plug hole not be tapped and a larger bolt inserted? I'd phone around to see how much a new oil pan would be or try a wrecker. Good luck

 

Hope this helps.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ripped+threads

Shifting into third gear helping Grotto.

 

Your original thread is here. There are several replies.
If you originally posted your thread in the 'MINIs for Sale' forum as this one is, that would explain why you couldn't find it. FYI, if you go to 'advanced search' you can search for all threads you've posted to.

 

Oop's

 

Wow! You sure told me.

My only point was, there's no way the dealer is going to volunteer to absorb the cost of a new oil pan. There's no way it can be proved that the dealer caused the damage.

Not sure about the MC but drain plugs over the years have used o-rings, brass washers, crush washers, fiber washers, and various other methods of keeping the oil from leaking.

I've used helicoils. I'll leave it at that. But then again, I didn't realize they have kits where aluminum oil pans were specifically mentioned as good candidates. Here's a helicoil kit along with instructions on how to use it. It should do the job if one chooses to not buy a new oil pan, not go with the self tapping oversized plug (or the rubber insert for that matter):

http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?fo...action=product

In the mean time Minzilla, if this happens to you, I definitely suggest you get that new oil pan you recommend. It's one hell of a lot more expensive (the cost of parts and labor), but ...

 

Mr Cooper,

Sorry if I came across a little bitter. Actually it IS happening to me. I have an appointment with my dealer on Tuesday, after discovering my MCS was dripping a little oil. Turns out it was coming from the drain plug. Much to my surprise, it was not an OEM plug, but an oversized self tapping type. At that point, the dealer is the only place that I'd ever taken my car for service. I'll let everyone know how this plays out.

Minzila

 

And the answer is? Just curious as I just "got the call" about my stripped oil pan threads ...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...96#post1662496

and then the auto guy from The Post says:

Pat Goss: It is a normal occurance. If you're good about service the threads will go away in the aluminum oil pan. And most cars now use aluminum oil pans with steel drain plugs. But if the threeads do go away there is often a much better solution than replacing the pan. Install steel threds in the existing oil pan. Much cheaper and much more durable.

 

Just a comment. Had nicked the head on the drain plug the last time I removed it so while at the MINI dealership, I bought a new drain plug. I had read where the drain plug is 13 mm but a half inch socket actually has a tighter fit. Half inch is a little less than 13 mm. Might have been the reason I nicked the head of the bolt with a 13 mm eight point socket.

Also, a long time ago, someone made a replacement drain plug that was rubber and had a drain plug in the center. I don't remember that the original hole had to be drilled at all.

 

Well, all's well. The dealer replaced the oil pan and did the LOF all "under warranty." Not sure if it was treated as a "wear item" and done under my TLC (which I just extended the week before!) or if it was a dealer allowance since the car is over 50K. So I don't know whether to put this in the score card under always have your car dealer serviced or not?