Oil Plug Oddity

I just bought a 94 Blazer 4x4 Tahoe Lt Edition with a 4.3 Vortec from a friend. Like I do with most used cars I buy, I decided to do an oil change.

Now, when I did one on my Corsica, it couldn't have been more easy, especially for the first time doing one, as it was simply remove the 14mm plug, let drain, run fresh quart through while open, change filter, replace plug with new gasket, fill, check, fill if needed, then done.

However, I drop under the Blazer to see what socket I will need, and oddly, it doesn't have a nut end, but rather a ridge all the way straight accross the head. I didn't think much of it, as I was going out to get a new drain plug and gasket when I went out before finishing the change, so I grabbed my needle nose vise grips, and loosened the plug. Good time for a change too, as the oil looked thick black and nasty. However, and this is where the oddity part comes in, the drain plug did not come out all the way and looks to be something like a long bolt with a large head (on the outside, with the ridge) put into the oil pan, then a washer and nut put on the other side (yes, meaning it would have had to be done before the oil pan was put on). Needless to say, it is still hanging out of the oil pan, as I can't seem to get it out by means of unscrewing it, and I don't feel like cutting it and leaving metal in my oil pan.

Annyone had this problem or heard of it or anything?

Patrick

Can you post a pic?

Here are some pics of the plug hanging out of the oil pan.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/253634IMG_0200.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/253634IMG_0197.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/253634IMG_0198.JPG

Could be a piggyback plug.Thats what is on mine.

That is wierd. It reminds me of the gas cap on my chainsaw. It has a thingy in the tank so the cap can be unscrewed and pulled out a bit but not lost. I don't know what to say but if it ain't leaking let it be.

Well, if you used the needlenose, it must mean that you cannot unscrew it by regular means, because the bolt must be stripped. If that is the case, I would say your going to have to drop the pan, and try to get that shit out of there.

If it works, keep it in.

Looks like it was doing its job.

You will end up ruining something to change it.

It is a plug, if it keeps the oil in the pan, don't screw with it.

I agree and disagree. If the bolt is stripped, you would need to replace anyways, because eventually you are not going to be able to unbolt to drain the oil. If it's not broken, don't fix it, is a good motto. But he had to use his pliers to unscrew the thing, which is an indicator to me (I just did this yesterday as a matter of fact) that the bolt is stripped, and there is no other way to remove it. I had to go buy a new bolt yesterday, which came out to 3.53. They are not expensive.

Who cares, it is doing the job.

Whether you are using pliers to first loosen it off or a rachet you still have to use a tool.

That is wierd. It reminds me of the gas cap on my chainsaw. It has a thingy in the tank so the cap can be unscrewed and pulled out a bit but not lost. I don't know what to say but if it ain't leaking let it be.


Thanks for all of the replies. It isn't stripped though. As I said in the beginning and as the pictures show, it's not a normal bolt. It is pretty much a flat head with a ridge going accross it. Which is why I thought it was wierd.

Sorry Muzzy, I was trying to quote Diddy0071's first post, not yours. It's too early for me to up. :sly:

Sorry Muzzy, I was trying to quote Diddy0071's first post, not yours. It's too early for me to up. :sly:


No problem. Been on the early end too many times myself!

I guess I was just worrying too much. I went ahead and screwed it back in, just took a little bit of turning due to how far it was out. I finished the oil change and tune up and all. Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

Its a pan saver. Chances are someone stripped the threads on the oil pan. Rather than replacing the oil pan you can use a pan saver and get by. Not going to cause any problems, there are plenty of cars out on the road with them in. So unless you have the money to put a new pan on there dont worry about it. You might want to buy a couple more pan savers at the autoparts store because eventually the gasket wears out and it will leak.