anyone replace oil pans due to stripped nuts and bolts?

[Grrrlygirl]

I just found out that I need to replace my oil pan, because when they went to do my oil change at the dealership, they said that it's stripped and they can't do the oil change without replacing the whole oil pan. With labor this is going to cost me $700. The mechanic said this is common in New Beetle oil pans, so much so that they changed the oil pan in the 2004 and later models. It's just par for the course--nothing I could have done to prevent it.

I can't find anything online to date regarding this, but it would help my argument with the people at VW and the dealership that they should be including this in the warranty (I bought a certified used Beetle with 2 year warranty). They claim that this isn't included in the warranty, but they won't show me a copy of my warranty. Something smell fishy to anyone else?

[fozzy18]

Yeah i know the feeling but im sorry to say that you will have to buy a new oil pan but the good news is that its only 109.00 dlls plus shipping i had to buy mine on ebay. But the good thing is that it is oe part from vw, but has a metal bottom pan were the screw goes so yo will not have the same problem again and if your good with cars u can change it out yourself in about 40 min hope i was some help im putting the link of the part so u can see for your self. the only thing you have to look for is that your oil pan does not have the oil level sensor because the new oil will not work with your car but if it does not your all set


oil pan info on ebay

[Grrrlygirl]

Thanks for the sympathy. Unfortunately, I'm no good with cars, so I had to pay for the labor, and that was what was running $500. I played hardball with the dealership, and the Sales Manager went to bat for me, so I ended up getting them to split the labor with me--halfsies.

Much better than paying $700, since I was also replacing a couple of hoses which would have brought the grand total to $900. It was much nicer paying $600 total.

[veedubmechanic]

Theres no reason it should cost 700.00. A new oil pan is about 160.00 at the dealer plus maybe 2hrs MAX labor to put it on (only takes about 1hr max) thats 250.00 labor MAX. 500.00 labor means you got hosed by the dealer.

[boschmann]

I've had no trouble tapping in an oversized oil drain plug bolt (available at most auto parts stores). Just make sure you flush out any metal shavings before refilling with oil. I've found that hard plastic washers seal better than the aluminum & copper seals.

[91celicaFB]

HAHAHA, Boshmann... good one, thats what i would've done!! But with the oilpan off.
Anyways, saved an @$$load of money!

[katzd]

i am not a beetle owner, but usually the old threads can be drilled out and tapped for either an oversize regular drain plug, or perhaps a pipe thread. i had this problem with an '84 vanagon, which now uses a 3/8" pipe plug. the shop that stripped the threads really ought to pay for the repair.

Originally Posted by Grrrlygirl

I just found out that I need to replace my oil pan, because when they went to do my oil change at the dealership, they said that it's stripped and they can't do the oil change without replacing the whole oil pan. With labor this is going to cost me $700. The mechanic said this is common in New Beetle oil pans, so much so that they changed the oil pan in the 2004 and later models. It's just par for the course--nothing I could have done to prevent it.

I can't find anything online to date regarding this, but it would help my argument with the people at VW and the dealership that they should be including this in the warranty (I bought a certified used Beetle with 2 year warranty). They claim that this isn't included in the warranty, but they won't show me a copy of my warranty. Something smell fishy to anyone else?