Suggestion with loose oil pan plug - pre Fumoto install

Brody · **Posted:** Wed Feb 15, 2017 8:31 pm

Hey guys, so I went in to do an oil change earlier and they couldn't get the plug out it just spins around and stays there. See for yourself in video below.

Mechanics don't want to mess around with re-threading an oil pan so I have to install a Fumoto myself.
Only thing I'm wondering is how to best remove the current plug to make sure I don't damage the threads further.

I ordered two Fumotos, a 107 and a 102 in case the thread in the pan is not too bad and I don't have to rethread, that's why I'm hoping to get your suggestions on how to remove the plug so I can salvage the pan thread if possible.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6ywr2z6ujtki01s/IMG_6499b.mp4

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:12 am

Can you pry it with a pry bar or a screwdriver? If there isn't space between bolt and pan to do that, I'd make a small cut (about 1/8 inch) on the bolt head, as close to the oil pan as possible and use that cut to insert a pry bar and pry it out while you use a wrench to untie it.

Brody · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:18 pm

Thanks for your reply. The small cut you suggest doing, you mean on the side of the bolt head, acting as sort of insert for pry bar or screwdriver so I can get a better grip on the bolt? If so, I'm limited with the tools I have here. Home I would use cut off tool, here hacksaw?

Mountainman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:41 pm

Brody wrote:

Thanks for your reply. The small cut you suggest doing, you mean on the side of the bolt head, acting as sort of insert for pry bar or screwdriver so I can get a better grip on the bolt? If so, I'm limited with the tools I have here. Home I would use cut off tool, here hacksaw?

Yeah, that's what he's saying, but that will be tough going with a hacksaw I'm afraid. So the plug turns in place? If so, the threads are toast, and you'll have to tap up to the next size Fumoto, sorry man. It's a lame design...

Mountainman · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 1:43 pm

Since you don't have a cut off wheel, what about a dremel? I would first try to lock some vise grips on there REALLY tight, and pull down and twist at the same time. I've got a lot of bolts out over the years that other people couldn't with vise grips

Edit: then again, there probably isn't anything to grab on to with the vise grips, I can't remember

kissfan79 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:33 pm

I had the same issue once (although probably not quite as loose/free spinning as yours). I ended up using a pair of vice grips to lock onto the bolt so I could pull down hard on the bolt as I was turning it and it grabbed the threads and came out.

thermorex · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 7:19 pm

Yea, vise grips are a good idea, if you can rotate the bolt. And may be easier, worse case you can score some from home Depot if you don't have any with you.

Brody · **Posted:** Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:13 pm

All right I'll try vise grips and let you know (I'll also try to get a cut off wheel from someone around here in case). I need to wait until I receive the Fumotos though. Probably won't be able to do this until this Saturday.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:15 am

Have your buddy hang from the Vice-Grips while you spin him around.

thermorex · **Posted:** Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:09 am

GordnadoCRD wrote:

Have your buddy hang from the Vice-Grips while you spin him around.

Lol. Or get 4 more strong buddies to spin the jeep while the first keeps the plug in place.

Brody · **Posted:** Mon Feb 20, 2017 7:32 pm

Ha !

Amazon sent me the wrong valve, so it will be a few days before the correct one and I can do this. Hopefully Wednesday.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Tue Feb 21, 2017 3:03 am

I can relate on the shipping issues.

I just bought 2 items from Amazon from different vendors.

Package 1 shipped from Pennsylvania on the same day package 2 shipped from Texas. Both shipped USPS, and have roughly the same distance to travel.
Both arrived at the shipping hub in Portland Oregon on Saturday AM, 5 hours from where I am. I expected them to arrive by at least Tuesday morning, and Hoped that they might arrive Monday morning.
Well Monday mail came and went with no packages, so I checked tracking again.
Package 2, the one I may not actually need, it appears is at the post office in town now, and should arrive tomorrow.
Package 1, the one I am actually for sure needing, has. for some unknown reason, been shipped to Van Nuys CA, and is at least 2 days away, possibly 3.
Hrmph.

Well here's hoping that once you get your valve, the old plug will come out with minimal problem.

dennyb · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:27 pm **Posts:** 110

With the drain straight down I didn't want a fumoto. I bought 14x1.25 drain plug. Thread repair kit from
Autozone for sparkplugs with a selection of 3 different length solid inserts. Used the shortest insert and out perm at ex #2 on outside thread when putting in. Size so close no drilling only ran tap in threads.

Suggestion with loose oil pan plug - pre Fumoto install

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