Oil pan threads stripped

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Mar 22, 2018 | 08:10 PM

cardsfanbj

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From: South St. Louis

Oil pan threads stripped

I seem to have made a noob-ish mistake this last time around and I done messed up the threads on my oil pan. I got a new bolt from the local parts store and it seemed to have done the job for a week or two, but now I'm getting oil spots under my truck. I lifted it back up and sure enough there is oil dripping from the drain plug.

I'm assuming the drain plug is steel. I did test it and it was magnetic.
How hard is it to retap the hole? I don't have any experience doing it, and I'm wondering if I'm just better of going to a mechanic and have them do it.
Or how hard would it be to take out the drain pan? I'm finding replacement ones on eBay for under $100 and a gasket from Advance Auto goes for $28

2009 F-150 STX, 4.6L

Mar 23, 2018 | 11:07 AM

WXboy

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From: Central KY

Rethreading the hole wouldn't be hard for a mechanic, but obviously you have to make certain to lube it up and catch all the metal shavings. You do not want metal shavings getting inside the oil pan.

Mar 23, 2018 | 11:25 AM

jcnorton

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From: N.E.Indiana

cardsfanbj do you remember what the gasket on the repaire plug looked like? A budy had same issue, plug felt tight but seeped oil, the gasket looked like paper. He substituted a rubber gasket and has been fine ever since. Key is if yours is holding good in the threads, if so try a better gasket. make sure you get one that will hold up to petroleum products, one from a hardware may slowly dissolve and leak again. If this doesn't work then best bet for long term peace of mind is new pan. good luck

Mar 23, 2018 | 12:34 PM

cardsfanbj

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From: South St. Louis

So far, I've gotten quotes on it and the best I've seen is actually from the dealership for $400. Other repair shops quote $500-$575.
One place outright refused, telling me " We ain't gonna get involved in that. Just take it to Ford"

Most places are telling me they don't have any luck with Ford's oil pans and re-tapping them, they recommend just replacing them. The dealership said it depends on how bad the threads are,

Mar 23, 2018 | 01:43 PM

Sportscape

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Have you checked the drain plug gasket, crush washer? That's what is often a problem. A tap will not fix stripped threads, it may work if it's cross threaded. They make drain plugs for repairing worn thread , they are slightly oversized, some have a thread cutter on the tip. Your best bet might be to get a Fumoto valve if your threads are pretty good. If it will tighten up I think you could use a quality oil proof thread sealer , it will never need to be removed.

Mar 24, 2018 | 10:50 AM

cardsfanbj

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From: South St. Louis

Unfortunately, it's not the gasket that's the problem. It is the threads that it's not engaging with them tight enough.

Mar 24, 2018 | 10:12 PM

meborder

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From: Sioux Falls Area

Back when I was selling parts at advance, we carried a +1 size oil pan drain plug just for repairing slightly stripped pans like yours. They were a self tapping bolt just slighty oversized. Shouldn't be more than a couple bucks if they still carry them.