Second Drain Plug Problem

[TuonoR6]

Well last time I changed oil. I decided not to try to remove the plug for fear of stripping it. Well I decided to remove the plug this time. I was told that it is important to get all the old out. Well some jack ass at the dealer doesn't know how to use a torque wrench. It's supposed to 9ft lb not 90ft lb. I ended up rounding the plug a little. Try to use impact wrench to no avail. Any other way to get this oil out of the engine. I put her on the side stand let as much come out as possible. I really don't feel like paying someone to remove someone elses fuck up. I'm the second owner so I can't go to the dealership.

[FORZA]

Smack it hard with a brass drift or similar first, then use a 6mm allen socket with an extension and tap firmly into the drain plug. Dont try to gently undo it, a short sharp blow on the end of a bar will probably get it as long as the hex isnt totally rounded.

Dave.

[Jet City Racer]

Snap On also sells an extractor bit for rounded off allen bolts. Make sure you use a pro quality 6mm allen wrench first. Craftsman wrenches are too soft and have sloppy QC.

Good luck.

[empyreal100]

I have same problem with the magnetic, second oil drain hole. Dealer said that factory has been torquing them that way. I asked why they didn't notice this, and thus fix it, during the first (625 mile) service. Since it was obvious they didn't even try this plug (to get all the old oil out, as recommended), they just looked away. If they do not fix this under warranty, I will post the dealer's name here next time.....

I agree with other posting about Craftsman allen wrenches. Snap-ons are great, if you can flag down a truck and get them to sell them to you. A met an "expert witness" in toolmaking once, who said that Snap-on (and other top mechanic brands) actually mills ultra-small curves into seemingly flat tool surfaces to maximize distribution of bearing pressure along those surfaces. This can minimize putting too much pressure on any one point and thus stripping the fastener. Maybe he was teasing me, but at $250/hr I hope not.

[Harry H]

I too had real trouble with that magnetic drain bolt. I put a load of force on it and I thought it was going to strip. In the end I just went for it. Gave it a bit of a wack and it gave so fast I thought I'd just stripped the head of or some thing. You know that sinking "Oh No" feeling where a 5 minute job has just turned into a 5 hour job cause one stupid bolt has given way.

Scarry moment but all was good in the end.


When I win the lottery the Snap-on van is gonna pay a very long visit to my house

[The Male Whale]

I too needed a bloody good heave at mine to get it loose - horrible feling, worst in the world innit?

And, by the way, it was nowhere near the 9 lb/ft torque setting it should have been....

On the Gas!

[missile]

You could remove the hose from the bottom of the tank. Once you have all the oil out, you could heat the bolt to looser the thread, then replace the drain bolt. Alternatively buy a replacement tank from a breaker?

[Harry H]

Missile

We're talking about the magnetic allen second drain bolt which is next to the oil filter not the one on the bottom of the oil tank

[TuonoR6]

Yeah that's the one. I think I'm just going to put new oil in. Order the tool from snap-on and a new plug. Next oil change I will get this plug out. It seems maybe the dealership who serviced before just ignored this plug also.

[BJAFLOR]

Hello Folks,
I don't know if anyone's figured this out yet but the reason why this problem exists is because an aluminum or sealing crush washer is not installed at the factory. Even at a light torque the amount of adhesion to the case is going to be fairly great as there is no slip surface normally provided by a crush washer. The case isnt going to slip so then it becomes a matter of when the steel plug is going to give way or "break" as they say. In this situation it is easy to perceive that a gorillia was employed to tighten the plug when in reality the actual torque or torsional twist used to install the plug was fairly light.
Solution: You can probably get a set of good vice grips around the outer circumference of the problem plug to remove it. Next go to your local auto parts store or a place that sells Wurth and size you up crush washer that is not too thick with the correct diameter and install with a new plug. Wurth is an aftermarket German company that sells high quality parts, tools, sealers solvents...etc that you can find at any BMW, Mercedes, Porche dealer that is worth their salt. There are actually many places to find aluminum crush washers. You'll never have this problem again and consequently you'll never strip thread on the case or the plug. A crush washer simply provides a sealing surface upon crush so that you don't leak oil and also provides a buffer to protect the theaded areas of the two fasteners aka plug & engine case. You simply change it with a new one at every plug removal.

Thus Endeth the Lesson !!!

Oh yeah and as far as tools go, you guys are right about Snap-On but I use a brand that is far better ! Mine are made by that company Chrome Vanadium and everbody know that they're the best !!!!!!!!!

[bikpaintr]

I've had good luck removing allen bolts by tapping a torx socket bit into partially rounded allen bolts when the allen socket slipped. About 5 years ago I finally gave up on Craftsman & SK allen socket sets & paid Snap-On $100. for a set. I've never regretted the decision & have had far fewer rounded allen holes since then. Also the allen bit never falls out of the socket & drops down into the fairing as it did regularly with the other brands.

[missile]

Missile

We're talking about the magnetic allen second drain bolt which is next to the oil filter not the one on the bottom of the oil tank

OOps sorry, must read posts more carefully

[clarkie49]

I'm with John on this one (surprised ) get a torx bit and bash it in, once you get it out buy a new one and you are good to go

[TuonoR6]

Well I filled her with already. I'm going to order a plug and I think I have a few torx bits in the garage. Thanks for your help. I didn't know Silver Backs lived in Italy.