Stuck Oil Drain Bolt

[Kakkyo]

I have been trying to fight with a drain bolt that looks feels like it was tightened up with an air wrench and, on top of that, there was no crush washer mounted on the drain bolt. I have been fighting this morning to wrench it off with a 17mm, using blunt force on the ratchet to try to loosen it, and all sorts of other physical methods to no avail.

Are there any other ideas that don't involve taking my car to a lube joint or buying air tools? Many thanks for any inspiration that may come along this thread.

[sammm]

Vise-grips. Use a small cheater bar with them if you have to.

[Majik]

Maybe make sure you have a replacement or a way to get one incase you round off the head of the bolt.

[Kakkyo]

Maybe make sure you have a replacement or a way to get one incase you round off the head of the bolt.

Yeah, that's what I am trying to avoid. Is there a chance than penetrating spray would work?

[sammm]

If it's that rounded off you may want to spring for a new one. Have it in hand before you remove the old one.

[Kakkyo]

It's in good shape, just I am trying to avoid the socket slipping and rounding it off. If it gets bad, I will look into a new one.

[Majik]

Do you have a six point socket?

[Kakkyo]

Do you have a six point socket?

No, I have the multi-point Craftsman one from the basic ratchet set. I am assuming that the six point 17mm would be a couple bucks?

[Majik]

Yeah and it wouldnt round the bolt as easily.

[Dave04]

Having a set of these is a good idea (don't ask me how I know)




LINK

[Screamin'Screw]

Just go to a oil change place and have them change the oil. That way if they screw up the bolt or worse the pan threads they get to replace it.

Otherwise I would use a 6 point socket and my impact wrench!

[POS Racing]

All ya need is more leverage like you'd get with a nice section of pipe, then just slow and easy and you should be good to go!

[Treibenschnell]

I hate to sound like a tool, but you're doing lefty loosy, right?

[Kakkyo]

I hate to sound like a tool, but you're doing lefty loosy, right?

Yes sir, that is the cardinal rule of all mechanically inclined folks!

My thanks goes to Majik and the suggestion of the six point and the WD-40. It worked like a charm after waiting 8 minutes for the WD-40 to finally penetrate the bolt.

Dave04: I am probably going to look into those and a larger set of Craftsman tools once the bills unclutter themselves from my wallet. You should tell the story of how you know about needing the stripped bolt kit.

[tailchaser]

Having a set of these is a good idea (don't ask me how I know)

http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/0...=0.5,1.0,0.0,0


LINK

Yeah... but the best part of using those is when you say "Titus, go back in the house. You don't want to be here for this part."

[Dave04]

You should tell the story of how you know about needing the stripped bolt kit.

Basically, it involves changing out the alternator on my '89 Civic. Couldn't get the bottom bolt off. Took a 6-point socket, my 1/2" breaker bar and a 2 ft piece of pipe and managed to completely round the sucker off. Got out my Dremmel tool to cut across the nut/bolt to get it off and managed to nick the AC compressor belt... it went down hill from there.

[BAM!]

dude, why didnt you call me?

[Darron65]

My thanks goes to Majik and the suggestion of the six point and the WD-40. It worked like a charm after waiting 8 minutes for the WD-40 to finally penetrate the bolt.

I've found PB Blaster works waaayy better than WD-40. You know, for next time.