R50/53 Oil Plug Hell?
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 350
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From: Westminster, CO
Oil Plug Hell?
Ok...not sure who put the oil plug on the previous oil change...but it is on there TIGHT!!! I cannot get it off..and now I have rounded off the corners of the biatch. Any tips getting it off? I am going to replace with a Fumoto as makes oil changes a piece of cake!
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Sh...oductCode=F106
Thx
cp
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/Sh...oductCode=F106
Thx
cp
Last edited by cpayne; Jul 22, 2007 at 04:40 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 942
Likes: 4
vise grip pliers will do the trick.
If you continue to get your oil changed at some service location, they will just mess up your new valve also. If you work with gorillas, sooner or later one of them is going to eat you. If you do it yourself, then you won't have any problems with the stock plug.
YD
If you continue to get your oil changed at some service location, they will just mess up your new valve also. If you work with gorillas, sooner or later one of them is going to eat you. If you do it yourself, then you won't have any problems with the stock plug.
YD
That happened to me too. Vice grips would not do the trick. I took it back to the dealer where it was excessively tightened and they graciously agreed to provide free labor for my oil and filter change. Hopefully they didn't make it too tight again - I haven't checked, but will be installing the quick-change valve next time.
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 4
From: Westminster, CO
It doesnt really hang down much...maybe 1/4" beyond the oil pan depending on how you have the valve oriented it can be flush. Had one on my 1992 Audi S4..and never had any issues. They are sooooooo nice to further simplify oil changes.
Last edited by cpayne; Jul 22, 2007 at 04:41 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
DO NOT USE VISE GRIPS!
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
If you use vise grips or channel locks or a pipe wrench all you'll do is make it worse. A GOOD socket grabs the flats of the cap screw, not the corners, if you have the right size socket and not a cheaply made one, it will come off.
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
If you use vise grips or channel locks or a pipe wrench all you'll do is make it worse. A GOOD socket grabs the flats of the cap screw, not the corners, if you have the right size socket and not a cheaply made one, it will come off.
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
DO NOT USE VISE GRIPS!
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
If you use vise grips or channel locks or a pipe wrench all you'll do is make it worse. A GOOD socket grabs the flats of the cap screw, not the corners, if you have the right size socket and not a cheaply made one, it will come off.
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
If you use vise grips or channel locks or a pipe wrench all you'll do is make it worse. A GOOD socket grabs the flats of the cap screw, not the corners, if you have the right size socket and not a cheaply made one, it will come off.
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5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 942
Likes: 4
Minidave, his post states that he has already ruined the head on the bolt. So what is wrong with using vise-grips?
He needs to get it out and then replace it with whatever he chooses. He will not be re-using the removed plug.
YD
He needs to get it out and then replace it with whatever he chooses. He will not be re-using the removed plug.
YD
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 4
From: Westminster, CO
DO NOT USE VISE GRIPS!
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
If you use vise grips or channel locks or a pipe wrench all you'll do is make it worse. A GOOD socket grabs the flats of the cap screw, not the corners, if you have the right size socket and not a cheaply made one, it will come off.
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
If you use vise grips or channel locks or a pipe wrench all you'll do is make it worse. A GOOD socket grabs the flats of the cap screw, not the corners, if you have the right size socket and not a cheaply made one, it will come off.
Cheers
Cody
DO NOT USE VISE GRIPS!
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
Use the proper sized socket. Is this a cap head screw or an allen? If the first, get the correct socket from Sears or someplace in a 6 point rather than a 12point, then use the appropriate breaker bar or ratchet, make sure you're square on the head, and then break it loose.
I believe many people trying to do their oil changes use 12 points or worse yet crescent wrenches. The proper tool for the job will save a lot of grief.
13mm 6 point.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
Glad you got it off OK, now you're all set for the future with the correct tool and procedures.................
Or you can buy that Fumoto valve!
Yo's dad, he said the corners were rounded off, I'm sure the flats were still OK, hence my advise. There are lots of ways to do things, to each his own.......
Or you can buy that Fumoto valve!
Yo's dad, he said the corners were rounded off, I'm sure the flats were still OK, hence my advise. There are lots of ways to do things, to each his own.......
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 942
Likes: 4
No problem, I figured by his post that he had totally rounded off all the corners and the plug head was just a sheared total mess and he was in much worse shape than it turned out to be. I was just trying to help get that plug out by hook or crook and then let him replace it.
I'm still baffled to hear so many war stories about those plugs being installed so tightly. To my knowledge I have never had anyone else change my oil and I'm 59. It is just so easy to do it yourself and then you don't have to worry about what someone else is going to do. I'm not even going back to the dealer for my 'free' oil changes.
YD
I'm still baffled to hear so many war stories about those plugs being installed so tightly. To my knowledge I have never had anyone else change my oil and I'm 59. It is just so easy to do it yourself and then you don't have to worry about what someone else is going to do. I'm not even going back to the dealer for my 'free' oil changes.
YD
No problem, I figured by his post that he had totally rounded off all the corners and the plug head was just a sheared total mess and he was in much worse shape than it turned out to be. I was just trying to help get that plug out by hook or crook and then let him replace it.
I'm still baffled to hear so many war stories about those plugs being installed so tightly. To my knowledge I have never had anyone else change my oil and I'm 59. It is just so easy to do it yourself and then you don't have to worry about what someone else is going to do. I'm not even going back to the dealer for my 'free' oil changes.
YD
I'm still baffled to hear so many war stories about those plugs being installed so tightly. To my knowledge I have never had anyone else change my oil and I'm 59. It is just so easy to do it yourself and then you don't have to worry about what someone else is going to do. I'm not even going back to the dealer for my 'free' oil changes.
YD
Every Dealer has this guy they keep around the shop just to tighten up oil pan nuts and keep the customers coming back. Don't know if he's in training to become a mechanic, has a big a$$ breaker bar, a borrowed air gun or is on steroids but he does a good job of it.
Make life easier, get yourself a Fumoto valve
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City
I think in a lot of dealerships, the oil change guy is like an apprentice or young helper, and it's obvious these guys are undertrained. OTOH, I've also heard myraid stories of people whose drain plug fell out XXX miles after an oil change - so it could just be a CYA policy.............
Yo'sdad, I'm 58 and until recently I always changed my own oil as well - still do on my Yanmar tractor and my Jag E-type, but when it comes to freeby maint. on a car in warranty, I let the dealer handle it for me............
Yo'sdad, I'm 58 and until recently I always changed my own oil as well - still do on my Yanmar tractor and my Jag E-type, but when it comes to freeby maint. on a car in warranty, I let the dealer handle it for me............
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 942
Likes: 4
I totally understand, but my dealer is 180 miles away... 360 round trip. There is nothing wrong with my MINI so going to the dealer would only be for the oil change.
I'm looking at well over $30 in gas plus consuming all day to do it, then to take the chance that someone messes something up, or sits in the seat with a screwdriver in his back pocket, or even though I ask them not to, they take it through their car wash... and to boot, they won't be putting in the same oil that I would be using.... so for me,,,,, and in my situation... I'll just do it myself..... without a fumoto valve. I like having the larges hole possible when I drain the oil, so it comes out faster, bringing all the bad stuff it can with it.
I'm just old school and it gives me a chance to ly on my back under the front and contemplate how good life is and that the MINI above me is all mine, and nobody is going to mess it up except me.... hehe.
YD
I'm looking at well over $30 in gas plus consuming all day to do it, then to take the chance that someone messes something up, or sits in the seat with a screwdriver in his back pocket, or even though I ask them not to, they take it through their car wash... and to boot, they won't be putting in the same oil that I would be using.... so for me,,,,, and in my situation... I'll just do it myself..... without a fumoto valve. I like having the larges hole possible when I drain the oil, so it comes out faster, bringing all the bad stuff it can with it.
I'm just old school and it gives me a chance to ly on my back under the front and contemplate how good life is and that the MINI above me is all mine, and nobody is going to mess it up except me.... hehe.
YD
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