Stubborn Drain Plug - Help!

[copper]

Okay, I was in the process of changing the oil. Drained the oil from the sump and moved on to the oil tank. The plug won't budge. I don't know whether it's overtorqued or if it's rusted.

Problem is, I don't have impact tools here in garage. I'll have to get it to the shop. When I try to budge it with the ratchet, all it does is wiggle the tank.

I don't want to bust anything. I've sprayed it with liquid wrench for a week now. I've tried tapping the end of the ratchet with a rubber hammer.

Looks like I'll have to put oil back in her to get her to the shop.

Question is, how much?

I have no idea how much is in there after draining the sump. I guess I could try to pour the drained oil into measurable containers.

Suggestions on the plug or the oil?

Jim

[scottb]

Originally posted by copper
I've sprayed it with liquid wrench for a week now.

Have you tried PB Blaster? The stuff is magic. If you can find some up there north of the border, try spraying it on liberally for a few days and then give it a go.

Also, have you tried tightening the plug just a bit? Sometimes that will break loose the corrosion and then let you back it out.

Good luck!

[copper]

Good thought Scott. I'll try to snug it a tad and then see if it releases. Again though, I'm not sure if it's overtorqued or rusted. Haven't seen any PB blaster up here.

I'll be near a Miejers in Michigan in a week, do you know if they carry it there?

Jim

[Kryptonite]

Hey Buddy, use a 6 point wrench or socket and pull on that facker ,prolly won't break anything cept mabe your nuckles !
Luck !!
Manfred

[djmcmath]

Have you tried heat? I would never have believed it, but I've used an el-cheapo heat gun to do amazing things. Also, when using PB Blaster (or similar), try applying it, then waiting a moment, then tapping with something metal (like a ball peen hammer, of the sort that you'd use to make aerodynamic golf-ball dimples on the underside of your car).

Dan

[scottb]

Don't know if you can get it there...but you can go to www.pbblaster.com and check. (BTW, the website is down as I write this.) Most of the major auto parts houses carry it, I think.

I also thought heat might help, but can you get it hot enough without risking something that would require Red Adair's people to snuff!

[DeutschMark]

My local Meijer carries it.

[Wil Ferch]

Kinda hard to believe you need a rust-off penetrant to get an *oil* drain plug out...I mean..it won't be dry and rusted now....would it ??

Different problem maybe ? .........

Wil

[greglepore]

Agree w/Wil-I suspect someone used gorilla force. Rather than moving the car, I'd try to get an air tank, like people take to an a/x to fill tires. Fill it to the max safe pressure, and use an impact. If that fails, then I'd think shop.

[RickM]

Breaker bar and pipe. Get to a good pressure and give a couple of all out yanks.

[Jgordon]

When my case plug wouldn't come out, I used a good pair of locking pliers with nice, sharp teeth. I mangled the plug, but they're disposable anyway. Just took a lot of pressure, and cursing. more so since the car wasn't on a lift. Just crank on the thing, like these guys are saying.

You remembered left-loose, right-tight, correct? Just checking.

[DonMo]

PBBlaster and pipe for leverage on the wrench.

[djmcmath]

Originally posted by Jgordon
You remembered left-loose, right-tight, correct? Just checking.

To keep myself from getting confused on that when I'm working upside-down and backwards, I use a ratchet the first time. Before I stick the ratchet into the space, I make sure that I have it in the "go looser" direction. Then I know when I put a Real Big Tool on it that I'm pulling the right way.

Dan

[Wil Ferch]

Just don't confuse "bird's eye view" ...with "worm's eye view".....

All will come right......

Wil