Drain Plug issue

96jeep · 03-21-2010, 03:58 AM

So today was a normal Saturday until i went to do my oil change.. I went to loosen my drain plug and it was hard at first and immediately been soft i guess.. the point is that the drain plug is now STRIPPED!! It wont come out and it will tighten enough to hold in at minimal leaking, like a drop a minute but i"m wondering where i can take my car to get the plug out and re-tap it or something..Thanks

xjokee · 03-21-2010, 06:41 AM

I would imagine you have to remove the oil pan else run the risk of sending metal shavings thruout the oil system on startup. It could prolly be oversized tapped and threaded, but the correct and safe way would be to do it off the vehicle.
Mike

sdowney717 · 03-21-2010, 06:57 AM

Universal Oil Drain Plug Kit Pan Rubber M12-M18 1/2-3/4 : eBay Motors (item 370184053700 end time Mar-31-10 09:37:47 PDT)

here is something that would work without tapping if you can get the plug out
Not as good as original. Perhaps your local parts place has some ideas.
I have seen self tapping repair plugs for this. Most people would likely just tap and forget.

96jeep · 03-21-2010, 01:08 PM

thanks, I think I"m goin with the second idea, at this point i'm desperate.. wish me lucl

Tiger_184 · 03-21-2010, 01:13 PM

There is a tool that you can buy that will remove stripped bolts... or in this case plugs. I got a set of five for like $20 at Sears... a bit pricey but nice to have around. They fit on the end of a ratchet just like a socket but they have sharp edges that bit into the rounded head.

96jeep · 03-21-2010, 03:56 PM

the head on the bolt is fine, the thread is stripped.. will that tool still work??

sdowney717 · 03-22-2010, 08:09 AM

put a vise grip on the bolt head
turn, pull and pry out the drain plug between the wrench and the pan. Dont touch where the plug itself seals to the pan. You dont want to scar that.
If it is truly stripped the threads, then with a little effort, it should come out. Typically the dran plug has threads that extend past the welded in nut in the pan. Those threads may be good and as you begin to remove the drain plug, those threads will start to engage the nut. I suppose it is possible just the bolt is stripped and the nut in the pan is still good.

If you get desperate, carefully try a tie rod fork or claw hammer or a large screwdriver. put the claw up against the bolt and tap it backing out the bolt.

Tiger_184 · 03-22-2010, 10:27 AM

Oh sorry no I misunderstood.

**SJZ** · 03-22-2010, 04:17 PM

Do the vise grip thing like sdowney says to remove it, then do this:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/replacing-oil-pan-934402/#post8561158

If you had brought it to an oil change place or garage & they stripped it, they would use a self tapping plug, and you would never even know it. They are used all the time, not a big deal.

BigRed4x4 · 03-22-2010, 04:22 PM

Mine got stripped two oil changes ago while I was takin it out. Put an oversized self tapping in. Made another rubber gasket just to keep from leaks and I haven't had a drop yet. Just be careful after that cuz it seems like it would be easy to do it again...or maybe I'm just paranoid.