Like the title says, I really can't see if the pan threads are bad also or not. My question is what is the best fix for this problem? On a side note, I have in the past been lead to believe that the plug material is softer than the oil pan material for just this reason and therefore the plug will strip and the pan will be unaffected? any thoughts here?

...The truck isn't in my sig, the forum won't let me edit it for some strange reason, The truck in question is my 2007 F250 5.4l 3v engine.

 

In my experience, 99% of the time a new plug is all you will need

 

Ahhh, thank for the fast response, I'll pick up a plug or maybe even spring for a fumoto valve and install that on my next oil change. Again, much appreciated.

 

I think the Fumoto valve makes sense if your threads are in question. You don't want to mess with them any more than you absolutely have to.

How did they get stripped? Overtightened, or was it cross threaded?

 

You can get a self tappying oil plug from Autozone or Oreillys that will cut new threads as you screw it in. They work great from past exp.

 

Try a new drain plug and carefully thread it in..see if that works.

 

I've never had that problem with an oil plug, but I would typically run a tap through it pan threads to make sure they are smooth and replace the oil plug.

 

the drain bolt is a standard (cheap) steel..

oil pan is steel with threaded hole or a welded in bung...

or aluminum and a threaded hole

many replacement drain bolts.. +1, +2, +3 in size.

even rubber expanding types.

100 years of people destroying the drain fittings.

 

Thanks for all the advice people. I have no idea how the drain plug got damaged, it has been that way since I have owned the truck......it appears like maybe it was over tightened at some point I am going to get a new plug and try it first and if that cleans up the threads in the pan so the plug works easy I'm going to get a fumoto valve for this truck and my 6.0 and eliminate the plug removal and replacement every oil change which will end the possibility of the same problem in the future.