Oil Drain Plug

1999, 3.8

I went to change the oil and the drain plug was on way too tight. I was lazy and got the oil changed at one of those quck lube places the last few times. I'm assuming someone there tightened it with an air rachet or impact gun.

It took a two foot pipe around the wrench to get the bolt loose. The problem now is that the bolt spins in both directions but won't come out. It doesn't leak oil.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is this a stripped drain plug or is there a nut welded to the inside of the pan that broke loose?

How do I get it out?

If you're lucky it just stripped the plug...the cast aluminum pan is tapped with threads, would suck if it stripped.

Put a screwdriver under the head of the plug and pry outward while turning it...it should get a bite and come out...or lock a vice grip on it so you can pull outward while turning...either way, it'll come out.

Wait you said 3.8...I don't know if they have the cast or steel pan...I don't remember. Either way, try what I said...

As long as it's a tapped hole I think I can breather easier since I can just retap the hole or make it a size bigger. Do any 3.8s have a nut welded inside the pan that can break off?

Is your pan stamped steel or cast alloy?

I went to change the oil and the drain plug was on way too tight. I was lazy and got the oil changed at one of those quck lube places the last few times. I'm assuming someone there tightened it with an air rachet or impact gun.


yet another reason to avoid the spiffy lube. After paying $30 for an oil change with [probably] low grade oil and junk filter, you get home to find out what damage they've done...and tried to hide. I stopped using those places after they broke my oil dipstick off in the tube then let me leave without telling me. :nono:

Steel pan with a welded boss, and a bear to get the pan off, too. Why not go back to the knuckleheads that did this?

I called the dealership and they said there's a welded nut. So it probably broke off, but oddly, it has yet to leak a drop. Have you guys ever taken the pan out of these? The Haynes nanual says you have to remove the starter, exhaust, loosen several mounts and raise the engine. I don't have access to a hoist so I'm screwed. A mechanic said it's about 1 - 1.5h labour, which seems a bit short for this kind of job. That plus $330 CAD for the oil pan from the dealer.

I might just go back to the lube shop for another oil change and play stupid. How liable are they for this kind of thing anyway?

I think since THEY did the work, THEY messed it up, shouldn't THEY 100% liable!!

You could go back and play dumb, but I would probably just go back and tell them what they did. Also seems like you shouldn't wait too long to go back. If you wait several miles or months they could argue that they didn't screw it up or that you changed the oil [and YOU screwed it up] and are trying to get them to pay for it.

I think since THEY did the work, THEY messed it up, shouldn't THEY 100% liable!!

You could go back and play dumb, but I would probably just go back and tell them what they did. Also seems like you shouldn't wait too long to go back. If you wait several miles or months they could argue that they didn't screw it up or that you changed the oil [and YOU screwed it up] and are trying to get them to pay for it.

Yea, my problem is that according to the sticker they stuck on my windshield, I'm 2 months and/or 1500miles overdue for an oil change, so it's been a while. Plus the head of the drain plug looks like It's been messed with recently.

well then take it in for your next change and see what they say. I mean, the oil drain plug isn't really something that most people tinker with between oil changes.