Stripped Oil Plug
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Stripped Oil Plug
OK, not all that technical, just looking for options. The oil drain plug is stripped, and come to find out it is already double oversize. Just looking for options that dont involve removing the drain pan.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,396
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From: Cupertino
Here's a Toothless Jake fix:
Get a short oversize fine-thread bolt, drill and tap the pan. Flush with the oil you took out to get out the chips. Put sealer on the threads as you are now sealing on threads, not the crush gasket. Install, tighten, pray.
It worked for me.
Get a short oversize fine-thread bolt, drill and tap the pan. Flush with the oil you took out to get out the chips. Put sealer on the threads as you are now sealing on threads, not the crush gasket. Install, tighten, pray.
It worked for me.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
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From: Burbank, CA
A temporary fix is to clean the threads and sealing surface carefully, put on a bead of PermaGasket or similar, and put the plug back in finger-tight. If the metal surfaces are reasonably clean, that stuff is pretty danged strong! It's not a perfect fix, but it's okay as long as you're the guy who's going to be changing the oil, and you know that you have to re-clean and re-seal the plug each time. I've done that on one of my cars. I know I'm going to be doing a whole engine rebuild on it eventually, and I'll do a permanent fix at that time.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: ROCKVILLE, CT.
If memory serves me I believe you can get something that has a rubber grommet sandwiched between two washers with a bolt through the middle that threads through a nut on the back side washer which is tack welded to the washer. You get the size closest to your plug hole and you put it in and tighten the bolt down. This squeezes the rubber grommet and seals the hole. It is similar to the expandable freeze plugs
I saw something like this a long time ago. I don't know what it's called or where to get it. You may find something similar in a plumber supply or if you have a knowledgable parts store in your area they may know what I tried to describe here.
I saw something like this a long time ago. I don't know what it's called or where to get it. You may find something similar in a plumber supply or if you have a knowledgable parts store in your area they may know what I tried to describe here.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Las Vegas
Victor L,
I would think that if you are even a little bit handy (I assume you are if you drive one of these trucks
) you could make a unit like the one that RANGER589 described. If it were me, I'd use a piece of fuel/emissions hose of the proper outside diameter for the hole, cut it to 1/2"-1" length, find a washer just a tad smaller than the outside diameter of the hose (for inside the pan) and a fender washer (for outside the pan and then use a bolt that is a good slip fit in the hose and locate the head of the bolt on the inside of the pan and a nut on the outside. Obviously the washers need to have the same inside diameter of the hose. I suggest that you use a bolt long enough to cut a slot in the end (for a screwdriver) or drill a hole through it's diameter (for a nail or cotter pin) to give you something to grip when you need to loosen it.
Just my $.02 or $.03,
Gene
I would think that if you are even a little bit handy (I assume you are if you drive one of these trucks
) you could make a unit like the one that RANGER589 described. If it were me, I'd use a piece of fuel/emissions hose of the proper outside diameter for the hole, cut it to 1/2"-1" length, find a washer just a tad smaller than the outside diameter of the hose (for inside the pan) and a fender washer (for outside the pan and then use a bolt that is a good slip fit in the hose and locate the head of the bolt on the inside of the pan and a nut on the outside. Obviously the washers need to have the same inside diameter of the hose. I suggest that you use a bolt long enough to cut a slot in the end (for a screwdriver) or drill a hole through it's diameter (for a nail or cotter pin) to give you something to grip when you need to loosen it.Just my $.02 or $.03,
Gene
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From: Sandy Level
If the threads are striped I say drop the pan and replace or drill out the old plug if you have the means and retap. If the head is stripped get a pipe wrench and get it out so you can get a new one. If you don't have a pipe wrench then cut the side of the head so you can get a wrench on it.
EDIT: If the treads are stripped and you can get the bolt out go to a boat shop and get a rubber boat plug to use as a drain plug. I wouldn't do this again but I have as a temp. fix on a 4 wheeler and it never leaked for the two months it was on the 4 wheeler. The ATV was used as a mud toy and we lost the drain plug changing the oil after some water got in the motor.
EDIT: If the treads are stripped and you can get the bolt out go to a boat shop and get a rubber boat plug to use as a drain plug. I wouldn't do this again but I have as a temp. fix on a 4 wheeler and it never leaked for the two months it was on the 4 wheeler. The ATV was used as a mud toy and we lost the drain plug changing the oil after some water got in the motor.
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