What happens when you over tighten an oil drain plug?
When you over tighten the plug, you are damaging the screw pitch. In the case where the plug is over tightened, you have to change the whole oil pan. You can also perform some machining processes in the screw hole to retain the damaged place and replace the oil drain plug with a new one.
What’s the best way to loosen a stuck drain plug?
Here is one way to loosen a stuck oil pain drain plug (bolt) or any other low-mounted, horizontally located nut or bolt. For safety, try to stay out from underneath the car during this process, as the upward pressure can cause the car to lift up on its suspension.
Where is the oil drain plug in a car?
An oil drain plug is a large nut usually located in the lowest point of the oil pan at the bottom of the engine where all engine oil capacity rests. The reason why it is located here is for it to drain the maximum amount of oil, when changing engine oil. To reach the oil drain plug, you have to crawl underneath the car or lift the car using a …
Can you use penetrating oil on rusted bolts?
Any mechanic will tell you that rust can be a difficult problem, and rusted or seized parts can be difficult to remove and replace no matter if you have the best tool set in existence. Having a good-quality penetrating oil can save you time and effort and make the process of removing bolts, screws and nuts, a cinch.
When you over tighten the plug, you are damaging the screw pitch. In the case where the plug is over tightened, you have to change the whole oil pan. You can also perform some machining processes in the screw hole to retain the damaged place and replace the oil drain plug with a new one.
Which is the best thread to repair oil pan drain bolts?
The helicoil is a hardened steel thread insert that comes in many different sizes and thread pitch. Repair with a helicoil is strong and permanent. I have used helicoils to repair head bolts without regret. The third and best option for repairing oil pan drain bolt threads is to use a drain bolt repair kit made by TIME-SERT.
What should I do if my oil drain bolt is leaking?
Eddie spent 35 years in the automotive business with Honda. He is an ASE Certified Master Technician and has bruised knuckles to prove it. Every now and then, you will find a mechanic who thinks the oil drain bolt should be tightened with an impact gun.
Here is one way to loosen a stuck oil pain drain plug (bolt) or any other low-mounted, horizontally located nut or bolt. For safety, try to stay out from underneath the car during this process, as the upward pressure can cause the car to lift up on its suspension.