I made a mistake, now I need help
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I made a mistake, now I need help
My last oil change, I was in a hurry, took my 08 C6 to one of those quick oil change places. Now I'm paying for it. I'm (was) changing oil, and I've tried everything trying to remove the oil pan plug. I was using a six point socket with a ratchet, and could not budge it.
I'm 6'6" tall 350#, so I'm not a weak guy. So I used an impact for about an hour, until I finally rounded the head off. I've tried vise grips, and small pipe wrench with no luck,
Does anyone have any idea's that would help me get the plug out.
Thanks,
Bill
I'm 6'6" tall 350#, so I'm not a weak guy. So I used an impact for about an hour, until I finally rounded the head off. I've tried vise grips, and small pipe wrench with no luck,
Does anyone have any idea's that would help me get the plug out.
Thanks,
Bill
#2
Racer
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Staten Island NY
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My last oil change, I was in a hurry, took my 08 C6 to one of those quick oil change places. Now I'm paying for it. I'm (was) changing oil, and I've tried everything trying to remove the oil pan plug. I was using a six point socket with a ratchet, and could not budge it.
I'm 6'6" tall 350#, so I'm not a weak guy. So I used an impact for about an hour, until I finally rounded the head off. I've tried vise grips, and small pipe wrench with no luck,
Does anyone have any idea's that would help me get the plug out.
Thanks,
Bill
I'm 6'6" tall 350#, so I'm not a weak guy. So I used an impact for about an hour, until I finally rounded the head off. I've tried vise grips, and small pipe wrench with no luck,
Does anyone have any idea's that would help me get the plug out.
Thanks,
Bill
#4
Race Director
WOW! How'd they get it on there that tight I wonder. I've been in that situation many times (not all with oil plugs) and never had vice grips fail as a last resort. I'm not gonna ask if your sure your turning it lefty loosey.
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But I had it up on stands changing brakes, and it would just be a good time to change the oil.
I'm going to take it some where tomorrow that has a rack.
At least I will be able to get to it better, and it will be hot.
Thanks
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Mar 2010
Location: CORPUS CHRISTI TEXAS
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just hope they didn't cross thread it, and force it all the way in.
I was standing outside their "customers not allowed) barrier watching the best I could. But three of them started taking turns pushing buttons trying to reset the oil life, I went in. One of the guy's told me I couldn't come in there, and I reminded him who the car belonged to, and told him where he could kiss.
By the way, I was a mechanic for twenty two years, so I do know the righty tighty thingy.
Bill
#8
Safety Car
To prevent this from happening again, replace the plug with a Fumoto valve.
Description & part numbers on Bugman's website (see "Oil Change"):
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
Description & part numbers on Bugman's website (see "Oil Change"):
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
#9
Le Mans Master
If worse comes to worse you can tack weld a nut to the head of the oil plug to have a full place for a socket to bite to.
#10
#11
You'll probably have to drill the bolt out...no need to tell you to be as accurate as you can with the center punch as I'm sure you've drilled out your share of stuck bolts in 22 years of turning wrenches. Good luck with it.
#12
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,106
Received 2,481 Likes
on
1,944 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I understand your situation, but after having worked on it to the point of rounding it off I really doubt the quik lube place will take responsibility at all. You can try, but I doubt it very seriously.
I think we all have oil change stories, most of them horrible. Sometimes you get lucky, but mostly not. Hope you get it fixed relatively quickly.
I think we all have oil change stories, most of them horrible. Sometimes you get lucky, but mostly not. Hope you get it fixed relatively quickly.
#13
Well,I'd probably leave it in place and drill a size smaller hole and tap it for a ne , smaller bolt- basically use the old one as heli coil.
Or if u really want it out use a grinder and shave on both sides of th bolt head tomake it rectangular and put some good size wrench on it , good luck
Or if u really want it out use a grinder and shave on both sides of th bolt head tomake it rectangular and put some good size wrench on it , good luck
#14
Safety Car
#19
Drifting
My last oil change, I was in a hurry, took my 08 C6 to one of those quick oil change places. Now I'm paying for it. I'm (was) changing oil, and I've tried everything trying to remove the oil pan plug. I was using a six point socket with a ratchet, and could not budge it.
I'm 6'6" tall 350#, so I'm not a weak guy. So I used an impact for about an hour, until I finally rounded the head off. I've tried vise grips, and small pipe wrench with no luck,
Does anyone have any idea's that would help me get the plug out.
Thanks,
Bill
I'm 6'6" tall 350#, so I'm not a weak guy. So I used an impact for about an hour, until I finally rounded the head off. I've tried vise grips, and small pipe wrench with no luck,
Does anyone have any idea's that would help me get the plug out.
Thanks,
Bill
#20
Advanced
Member Since: Feb 2008
Location: Blythewood SC
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you get the bolt out you may need to retap the threads and you will need to pull the pan to do this to capture the shavings. I don’t think you would want to leave the in your pan. So if this sound right to you, you will be better of pulling the pan to start with.