Oil drain plug tightened by Superman!

[mr.Hand]

I tried to change out my oil in the 95' Metro, but apparently they like to torque the nut to hell at the lube shops so I can't get it off without that crazy torque gun. I actually broke my breaker bar and the stub fell into the drain pan!, but the breaker bar was kind of a piece of crap anyway.

I know it is supposed to be torqued tight so the plug doesn't fall out and your oil drains out when you are doing 65 mph on the highway and your engine melts down. I'm gonna try and get it changed, and tell them not to tighten it so hard.

Any recommends to get at that plug? I borrowed my neighbors ramps just for this special occasion too. I am quite discouraged that I don't have enough strength.

I came across this little gadget, http://www.fumotovalve.com

I wonder how secure that thing is. Wouldn't want to hit something and have it drain out my oil on the road!

[Crvett69]

you sure its the engine oil drain your wrenching on. usually if you put over about 40-50 pounds of torque on them they will just strip the oil pan hole

[DOCTORBILL]

Go find yourself some Electrical Conduit - the steel pipe used in electrical
wiring a house.

Cut a one and a half foot section, deburr the two ends, and keep it with your
socket wrenches.

Makes a wonderful "Cheater Bar" - just run the end over your 3/8 inch socket
wrench and you'll have enough leverage to loosen almost any nut or bolt!

Just don't use it to tighten anything!

I have such a piece of conduit in all my tool boxes and in my car's trunks....

You never know when you'll be required to cheat!

Most automotive repair and tire places tighten way too hard with those air
hammer wrenches - they don't give a damn!

DoctorBill

[mr.Hand]

Hey, I got the plug out and have changed my oil today!

I got a galvanized steel pipe at lowes for torque and leverage. Man is that nice.

But oil change went fine. I added some engine conditioner too.

[DOCTORBILL]

For those who may not know for what is we talkin' about....

Here is what you need. An old short piece of Electrical Conduit.



It will save your bacon! But be careful! Too much of a good thing will break something.

DoctorBill

[corning_d3]

I keep a foot and a half piece of stainless thickwall tubing just for that...

[idmetro]

I use one half of the jack handle on my floor jack for that same purpose. I like the idea of keeping a section of pipe in the toolbox though as I'm not always at home where the floor jack is available.