Is 8mm allen socket right tool to remove oil drain plug?

duke · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 12:42 pm

Doing oil for first time, is the 8mm allen correct? I'll have to go buy one. tks!

Hydraulic Jack · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 1:11 pm

yes....HJ

duke · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 1:33 pm

Hydraulic Jack wrote:

yes....HJ

Just bought the 8mm, it's too big!

duke · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 4:51 pm

Returned the 8mm got a 7mm, it's too small. Any ideas now? Mine is a 2006.

racertracer · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 5:02 pm

Mine is an 8MM.

duke · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 5:35 pm

That's real odd, the 8mm would not go in at all.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 6:24 pm

Try a 5/16 it should be right in between.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:20 pm

It is virtually impossible that an original allen key drain plug is still intact. FIRST, go to a Jeep dealer and get the "updated" drain plug which has a conventional hex which you use a socket with. Get several matching crush washers, too. You won't have any problems with this plug. The original was a stupid design where the internal hex quickly stripped.

Then, use BOTH a pair of big vice grips on the OD of the plug and whatever size allen wrench you can drive in there at the same time to loosen it. (It is undoubtedly damaged.)

Never use the allen plug again.

DOC

racertracer · **Posted:** Sun Sep 09, 2012 9:00 pm

Or get a quick drain valve like some have done.

Lancer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 5:10 am

I was about to say to get a Fumoto drain valve - either the F102 or the F102N. Massive increase in convenience.

racertracer · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 5:27 am

Lancer wrote:

I was about to say to get a Fumoto drain valve - either the F102 or the F102N. Massive increase in convenience.

I would include cleanliness too, except when removing the oil filter, that's the dirty part.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:04 am

X++ on forget any version of the OEM plug as a steel plug in an AL pan with the funky threads and washer will be stripped by some ham handed tech at some point. Save yourself a ton of grief - remove current OEM plug however you can and replace with the appropriate Fumoto (if threads are stripped geordi has posted a good fix) along with either the little metal spring clip or a zip tie to ensure the lever stays in the shut position until you want to drain the oil.

duke · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:11 am

Thanks DOC. Could it be that the orig was replaced already and that's why the 8mm allen won't work? What is the hex size of the updated plug, perhaps that's the tool I need? Either way, I'll hit the dealer this morning. Thanks.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:10 am

DOC4444 wrote:

It is virtually impossible that an original allen key drain plug is still intact. FIRST, go to a Jeep dealer and get the "updated" drain plug which has a conventional hex which you use a socket with. Get several matching crush washers, too. You won't have any problems with this plug. The original was a stupid design where the internal hex quickly stripped.

I don't have a problem with the design, the real problem here is the person doing the oil change. There is absolutely no excuse for stripping threads as it's always a result of leaving off the washer, over tightening, cross threading, dirt or using an incorrect plug.

In the 6 and a bit years I've owned my CRD I'm the only person that's ever changed the oil and have never had any issues. I'm still using the original OE hex plug and copper washer. Simply clean the plug, anneal the washer between uses and snug it up hand tight with a wrench.

I'm not a Fumoto fan. I don't really see saving a couple of minutes over removing the plug a big deal but if I were allowing others to change my oil I would seriously consider one for the peace of mind.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:58 am

You use a socket on the new style. I think it is 19 mm, but I'm not sure.

DOC

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:04 am

The new style is a 19 I acttually have one after cracking my fumoto while off roading.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 8:20 am

The Fumoto is a beautifully made product, but I have always felt that the tradeoff between a slight increase in convenience vs. catastrophic failure in the event of a hard hit in that area has never been a good one for me. I would want to shoot myself if I ever lost the motor because I saved myself a couple of minutes at each oil change.

So, how pray tell did you discover that you had "cracked" it?

DOC

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:17 pm

Well acttually bounced a rock off my skid plates and then started getting and odd metal on metal vibration noise. So I stuck my head out of my door and looked to find it bent at a slight angle contacting my skid plat and slowly dripping. So I got really lucky and the thing didnt even hang below my skid plate.

Hexus · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:56 pm

My original drain plug took a Torx bit, not an allen bit, that may be the issue you're seeing.

:oops:

Just sayin'

Definitely go with the Fumoto, I've had mine in some rough patches including main line ballast (I work for the Railroad) and while I have worried about it and checked it religiously, I've never had an issue.

GaryC · **Joined:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:59 pm **Posts:** 21

The 8mm allen bolt works fine as long as you have the right tool, the right gasket, and don't overtighten it. The aluminum oil pan was a stupid idea but unless you goon it up it's not really a problem. The first time I changed oil in the CRD I was cussing after I crawled under there with my socket set and saw that it needed an allen wrench. A trip to sears for the 8mm allen socket fixed that and I just leave it in the glove comparment after an oil change so I'll always know where it's at. I do break out my torque wrench when I tighten the bolt, 20 ft. lbs. is what I put on it. I figure it's better to be precise and not risk stripping the aluminum oil pan. The fumato valve scares me because it has the (admittedly small) potential to get hit and knocked off. I just feel safer with a plug in there and don't view removing a plug as any sort of inconvenience.

No one changes oil in my vehicles except myself. The CRD does have a high potential to get screwed up by dealer oil monkeys or jiffy lube types, but if you do it yourself then the potential to screw it up with the stock setup is nil as long as you know what you're doing. Anyone on a forum like this probably changes their own oil anyways, it's silly to take something like this to an oil change place or dealer and pay for an oil change unless you're just completely incapable of turning a wrench.

Is 8mm allen socket right tool to remove oil drain plug?

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