Drain plug on 915...won't budge...?

[slotcar]

I'm trying to drain the tran oil on the 915...and the plug will not budge. What should I do.... I'm using the proper 17mm hex bolt (purchased here)...Any tricks, I drove it for about a half hour earlier today....trying to warm up the oil. I let the car sit for 45 mins or so and then jacked it up/stands etc... What do I do? Are they always that tough to get off...?

[Hugh R]

Try a torch, make sure you can get the fill plug out first!

[Joe Bob]

Hex wrench..suitable extender and torch.....one person cranking on the wrench and putting the tension on it and the other wielding the torch.....the "rich folk" will have two other observers.....beer holder and fire watch......

[slotcar]

So, get the filler plug out first...I hate to ask, but why. Are the drain plugs that problematic..? Have any of you used a heat gun...maybe I'll try that before the torch

[Joe Bob]

Fill plug first...well what if it's yer only ride????

Ya just drained the tranny and no way to fill it and ya gots to go places....nope ya ain't 'cause the tranny gots no oil and no ways to filler up....

Take a look at yer wheels and say it slowly.....Fuch'd.....

[Wil Ferch]

Fill plug out first because if you get the drain plug out first...and THEN find yourself stuck NOT being able to get the FILL plug out....

....you're stranded !!! ...immobile..... goin' nowhere ......

Wil

[slotcar]

Got the fill plug out....tried the heat gun on the drain plug, to no avail. I guess I'll try the handheld torch...

Might be stupid to ask, but has anyone ever used teflon tape on the threads...?

[Joe Bob]

Anti-seize.

[slotcar]

OK...just tried the torch...no go..I'm afraid I'll end up stripping the inside of the hex head. Heck...I heated bolt for 2-3 mins and even wacked the wrench with a dead-blow hammer.

Mike, what is anti-seize?

[Alan Cottrill]

you heated the plug? I'd heat the case. thats what needs to expand to loosen the grip. if you heat the plug but not the case the plug expands, which makes the problem worse.

also...here's a trick I use to get a bit more levarage. I have a 10mm bolt which has a 17mm head. the bolt is about 40mm long. I then nutted it with 3 nuts real tight all the way up to the head. I use that as my hex wrench. this way I can get after it with my impact gun with a 17mm socket if it wants to be a b!tch. i only use my impact gun to loosen, never to tighten.

another tid bit. the drain plug for the engine oil tank has the same size threads as the trans. on my old car I got a couple of those from the dealer and swapped them for the hex style. makes things a bit easier for next time.

[mb911]

Ok this is how to heat properly to remove( I teach this to my welding and autos students) Heat fastener cherry red and let cool. Do this 3 times. What it does is expands and contracts and breaks any of the crud away. This works well. Its can NOT be done with a propane torch. You will need oxy acet in order to get one as stuck as yours. When I put mine back in I used teflon tape(its a pipe thread any how) and this works well. good luck

[Joe Bob]

Brush on paste that goes on the threads. Keeps the dissimiliar metals from reacting and bonding....same stuff that ya use on exhaust bolts.....

As to the hex key....give it a whack with a deadblow hammer, if you have it, to seat it in tighter.....keep the tension on it while heating aound it.....keep at it.

IF it strips, you can spot weld the key to the plug and then replace the plug.

As a side note....I replace all of them with external square heads.....

[slotcar]

Will an impact wrench get this little b**stard off? Maybe I'll just go that route (maybe combo of all the suggestions above). Maybe this stuff isn't preventable...but it sounds like it can be....In my case, the PO or PO's mechanic was a bunghole (someone over-torqued, no anti-sieze/tape etc..etc..) It feels good to vent Time for a coldone...

Thanks for all the replies...much appreciated.

[yelcab1]

Impact wrench will do it. But you need a hex bit of the proper size

[Drago]

Lot's of PB Blaster and heat.

Caution: PB Blaster is flamable.

MB911's suggestions are sound as well. Cherry red if you can swing it.

I stuck w/ propane and PB and it took awhile.

Get a longer pry bar and make sure the car is secure on it's stands.

Been there before...pretty scary if it starts tipping.

[jjone20]

Had trouble with mine. Used Propane torch on the case, not the plug. You need a proper-fitting wrench to get adequate leverage. Once it's out, replace the plugs with new ones from our host.

[Nikita]

try vibration. bang around the plug with a hammer and also if you have a buddy have him bang round the plug with a hammer while you try to get it off. the key is to send vibrations through the case, not to put a hole in it, so dont bang too hard.

[slotcar]

OK...maybe the planets aligned, or the last bit of torch work around the case... etc..etc... I got it off...I ended up using an old torque wrench. It has a much longer handle (and much stronger) than the BS 3/8 one I was using. Lesson learned...leverage (bigger fulcrum)...I will be buying a good 1/2 socket wrench (will a long handle) tomorrow (with a step down bit). Thanks to all who helped. I think the fluid was too-low anyway (glad I decided to tackle this now). I'll make sure to use a little teflon tape when replacing the plugs.

[jason2guy]

3/8 ??? youre crazy. 1/2 breaker bar minimum. saw this thread late.
been there twice. once after tightening it myself to make sure....
anyway the trick is, TIGHTEN IT FIRST, that cracks it loose in no time, then loosen

[jason2guy]

BTW, forget about the teflon tape.