Here's a short history. A couple years ago, my LTD broke down on the highway. The fuel pump had given out. I had it towed home, got a ride to the parts store, and $30 later I had it fixed. No biggie. Only problem was the old pump dumped about a quart of gasoline into the oil when it died, so I had to change the oil. I didn't have any of my oil changing supplies at my place during that time, so I thought it would be cheaper just to take it to a quick change place for that one time (I know, I know.) Those idiots stripped the drain plug bolt and I've been fighting it ever since.

What I originally did was jimmy the old bolt out with a flathead screwdriver and vice grips. The bolt had NO threads left. Then I threaded in a #1 OS bolt into the old spot. I backed it out every once in a while to pull the shavings out, then back down a little more, until it was finally seated. Seemed like an OK solution.

Well, it never has been perfect. Ever since I installed it, it dripped a little. It didn't use to be a problem - maybe a couple drops a day. But every time I change the oil since then, the drip gets a little worse. Well, now I really need to do something about it because I'm losing about a quart of oil a week and everyone at work knows where I've been parking because I'm completely ruining our brand new parking lot.

Any suggestions? Bump it up to OS #2? If I go up another OS, what should I do differently because the first OS never sealed right. RTV around the bolt just slimes up and falls right off. And right now I DON'T want to change out the oil pan. Thanks in advance guys.

 

Have you tried using a gasket for the plug? You could also get a replacement pan from a wrecking yard. It wouldn't be the cheapest way, but it would get rid of the leak.

 

Yes, I have a gasket for the plug. I've been reuisng it, but it's pretty thick. I realize a new pan would be a for-sure fix, but I can't get away from work long enough to undertake something that would take me as long as it would to do that. I'm hoping to get some advice on some kind of trick I can use to avoid swapping the pan (for now at least).

 

You can buy self-threading drain pan bolts at a parts store.

They are easy to spot as they have 3 or 4 slots in the threaded area.

They work fine.

 

That's what I'm using. I'm asking what I may have done wrong with the first one, if I need to go a size up, or what.

Thanks for the help so far guys!

 

I had the same thing happen - the goofs at Quik Lube stripped mine on my F250 5.8 v8. They replaced the original with a tapered plug. Once tightened in you never remove it. It had a second, smaller drain in the middle. Worked perfectly. I see that the Fumoto value (fumotovalve.com), that a lot of the diesel guys run, is tapered. Maybe that would work for you.

 

The other alternative maybe is the quick oil change plug that you see on TV or at some stores.

They are supposed to seal pretty good.

 

Would it be all right to put teflon tape on the threads of the existing bolt?

 

Straight threads won't seal with Teflon tape. Run a bigger oversize in there without backing out. You may have just kept cutting threads before until they were all gone again. Drill the center out of the OS plug and insert a small magnet to grab metal debris. Or buy a small magnet at Radio Shack and slip it inside the pan. It will stick to the bottom of the pan and won't go anywhere. There is also a good gasket that is made with a metal shell that has rubber inside for oil plugs. I find that type of gasket is the best available.

 

> There is also a good gasket that is made with a metal shell that has
> rubber inside for oil plugs.

Yes, I have used those before, they work well, I think it might even be a Ford part.

> Yes, I have a gasket for the plug. I've been reuisng it, but it's pretty thick

Wrong gasket, just an aftermarket piece of junk. The gasket you should be using is almost paper thin and fits tightly around the shank.

 

OK, I will try the bigger oversize idea. Will going up to a second oversize cause me any issues?