Allen oil drain plug stripped

[dstimm]

I went to do my first oil change on my (new to me) 1979 Bus. However when I attempted to remove the 6mm Allen drain plug, I noticed it was stripped and the PO probably removed it in the past with vice grips.

I want to replace this with a proper nut. Will this one work for the bus?

http://www.busdepot.com/n0297012

thanks!
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1979 Sage Green California Westy.

[Wildthings]

[Randy in Maine]

Buy some spare copper washers while you are at it, like 10.

[dstimm]

[60vwnewengland]

Maybe try spraying the Allen with pb-blast to get all the grime out. Then maybe see if the Allen wrench will go a little deeper?

Last resort, go one Allen size bigger, LIGHTY tap with hammer to create “new” spot for it to grab onto? See if you can make any progress getting it out.
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77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP

[Abscate]

There is plenty of meat on that internal hex to screw it out.

Make sure you are using a real tool of hard steel, no Harbor Freight, Lowes , or cheap crap.

If you cried when you bought it, it will work
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.ssS!

[my59]

The two comments above are a great starting point.
I will add that using US allen socket might be an in between size that fits the oversized hex. Get it scrubbed clean.
Another option is pull the plate, clean the strainer, and put it back with new gaskets and then new oil.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[timvw7476]

Take your time, find an allen that fits tight if you don't get a decent fit,
popping the strainer is a perfect work around, there'a a 'kit' consisting of
two gaskets & one copper crush washer for the strainer plate retaining nut.
The trick is to put the crush washer on seam side out,snug it down till it
yields just a touch,then make sure that nut is run down to 9 foot pounds.
The cross bolt that holds the oil pickup in the case cannot take more than
9 FOOT POUNDS. When you snug the strainer nut, it is pulling on that single
case bolt & threaded boss in the engine case. Quite fragile.

[dstimm]

It's out! Thanks aeromech!
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1979 Sage Green California Westy.

[aeromech]

Air hammers are great

New drain plug

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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
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