Stuck Oil Drain Plug

[BoWingo]

I started the process of changing fluids in my '85 Westy today that has been parked by the PO for at least five years. However, at the end of the day, I had made NO progress and become very stressed.

I can't get the oil drain plug to budge and I'm pretty sure that I've rounded the head trying. Googling the topic seems to tell me that I should get a pair of vise grips and a new drain plug. However, there is a lip all the way around the drain plug that I'm afraid will keep me from getting the grips on the bolt. I can't even get a wrench on there, only a socket.

Anyone ever had and solved this problem?

--Bo

[Waldemar Sikorski]

Drill and extract is one way.

[?Waldo?]

You can often get a small pipe wrench on one. A pipe wrench works better than vice grips in any application where it can be used, as it continually grips tighter and tighter into the metal whenever additional pressure is applied as opposed to a pair of vice grips which are set initially to their tightness. Another alternative is to pound a slightly smaller 12 pt socket over the rounded off head. That often works very well as the pounding helps to loosen the fastener as well. Heat from a propane torch can also help.

Andrew

[foodeater]

Sears sells stripped nut/bolt removers. They have four or five deep threads that grip tighter and tighter on the bolt the harder you turn it to get it off. I have had great results with these things. Buy the kit the kit that has the most sizes, as a few times the bolt that I was trying to remove fell in between the sizes of the removers. Its like $30 for a kit of 9 (I think), and worth every penny.
-Glenn
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

[BoWingo]

I like the idea of the nut/bolt removers from Sears. Just to make sure, is one of these sets what you're talking about? I'm thinking it's the first one.

Craftsman 13 pc. Bolt Out™ Set or
Craftsman 14-piece Bolt-Out Set with Case or
Craftsman 7 pc. Power Extractor Set, Drill-Out®

I can see these coming in handy in other places on my 23 yr. old van.

--Bo

[foodeater]

Yup, those are the ones. they have turned out to be one of those things that I never knew how much I needed until I got them. You will find plenty of uses for them. My only complaint is that you cant put a ratchet on them, but its not too big a deal.
-Glenn
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

[BoWingo]

You guys are lifesavers!

I got the Craftsman Bolt-Out kit today and had the oil drained within an hour. It sure did tear the drain plug up, but it got it out. I went to the auto parts store and picked up a replacement for a few bucks.

It's amazing how much small victories can improve morale.

Thanks, guys.

--Bo

[Tully Mars]

Are you sure you got the right plug?

I had the same problem a few months ago. I now have a nice set of "Bolt Grips" by the Vise-Grip people.

But.... it took me three trips and about five different flaps before I came to the realization that the right plug is almost impossible to find. I finally went to a VW dealer. About six bucks as I recall. The washer is special too.

[morymob]

I have found the best way to cut down on rounded off plugs etc is i always use 6point sockets/wrenches.Also i only carry 6-pt sae sockets/wrenches as this fits metric too. Has worked fine for years & only 1 set to carry.

[BoWingo]

Tully:
You made me nervous with your "sure you got the right plug?" I bought a generic M14-1.50 oil drain plug and a package of M14 nylon washers at Advance Auto Parts, came home and read your post, and started to wonder until I tried them. They fit with no problem.

morymob:
I agree. I'm going to make sure all of my future socket or wrench purchases are 6-point. It's hard to find 6-point sockets and wrenches anywhere nowadays, though.

[tencentlife]

The major chain FLAPS (Checker, AZ, Pep Boys, etc. in our area) carry generic plugs in lots of sizes, and those nylon washers, too. I've bought Vanagon ones before. The plugs are pretty good, wide-shouldered, and the nylon washers seal much better than copper ones without needing nearly as much torque.

Now, in Baja, I dunno.....
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Please don't PM here, I will not reply.

Experience is death to doctrine.

[guzyk]

I had a very rounded/mangled drain plug that would not budge. Even tried drilling is out with reverse drill bit but gave up cause drill wasn't centered.

I ordered this extractor set, tapped one on with a hammer and voila, drain plug out in 2 minutes. (probably the same set that Sears sells)

http://amzn.com/B0000CCXVZ
Well worth the $20

And make sure you order a new drain plug with new crush washer then only tighten to 10 ft pounds.

[Team WorldTour]

A guy came into my shop yesterday with an old '84 Transporter. He wanted an oil change. The PO used a SPARK PLUG with a Heli-coil
Engine purrs nicely though....
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1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
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When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat!

[wenholzm]

On a trip in Montana a small shop helped me take off a stripped oil drain plug. The 13mm socket would not grab so he got a 1/2 inch socket and tapped it ever so lightly onto the bolt and was able to get a hold of it and take off the plug.

[vanagonjr]

[16CVs]

I wouldn't put a stock sized drain plug back in a WBX that still has good threads or even marginal at the surface.
I use one of those extended drain plugs from "JP Werks" I buy these and hand em out to people who need them.
Here is the Ad # Ad id: 1344190 .Sorry I don't know how to link it .


Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
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Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[westyman71]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1344190

Here's the link

I use these in all my Vanagons.

Great product, nice guy selling them

[fleet_maintenance]

^^^I just got a new drain plug earlier this month from JP Werks. Although the threads in my case were almost shot, it sealed the hole and gas stopped the drip. Super easy transation, quick shipper!
/semi-threadjack

[dart330]

I'm curious how does threading a bolt further into the engine case make it easier to get out?

My first Vanagon, an 85, the drain bolt was stuck and stripped when I got it as the last person who changed the oil hadn't installed a washer. Ended up having an 18yr old Carl Edwards, the NASCAR driver who's father ran a VW shop back in the day, tack weld a 1/2" bolt onto the stripped plug. Was able to break it loose using the good bolt head. I prob wouldn't try that at home, but it worked fine at the time.

Funny, even though Carl's dad ran a VW shop he had never been in a Westy. I ended up popping the top and giving him a tour.

[?Waldo?]

It doesn't make it easier to get out. It can, however, seal when the shorter drain plug has stripped out the case.

The shorter drain plug does not engage all of the threads in the case. Often, the aluminum threads that are engaged with the plug will strip out due to the aluminum being soft. Even after the shorter drain plug has stripped out, often the longer plug can be used to engage the remaining threads in the case. The longer plug is also assists in preventing stripping the threads out of the case by engageing more threads making the force required to strip the threads that much greater.