Oil plug stuck

[Dave_s]

My 06 impala has an oil plug that was either overtightened or is rusted on. Anyone have any advice?

If not I'm going to bring this guy in and let it be someone elses problem.

[maxwedge]

Confused about your last sentence?, what is wrong it won't turn, nut rounded off, stripped and turns but won't come out?

[Dave_s]

It won't turn. The bolt is not rounded. I could use my impact wrench, but I'm thinking that's a bad idea.

[MagicRat]

This is the oil drain plug in the oil pan, right?

Either someone has over-tightened it and possibly damaged the threads, or a part of the plug gasket got jammed in the threads.

Either way, you will have to remove it. IMO your impact gun may be the best solution. It is less likely to damage a plug because all the force on the bolt is rotational.

Sometimes, if you use a big wrench and a breaker bar on a bolt, you stress the bolt more than an impact gun will, because you are placing side-loads as well as rotational loads on the bolt.

Anyways, Imo any damage to the threads has already been done. I don't think your gun will make things worse. If you remove the plug and the threads are messed, you can get an oversize plug that is designed to cut new threads.

[Dave_s]

I'm more concerned that if I use ant method to force the thing open I may be without a car while I wait for parts. I'll let you know if the shop says anything. They are doing the oil change today.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Dave_s

I'm more concerned that if I use ant method to force the thing open I may be without a car while I wait for parts. I'll let you know if the shop says anything. They are doing the oil change today.

this is very common when you bring the vehicle in for an oil change...they either don't tighten the oil drain plug or over tighten it...

normally when you bring your vehicle to have is oil changed if its got 100,ooomi of use, the drain plug and pan threads are shot ..thats why they have 2X,3X, and etc.....sized plugs...

when this occurs you use a 6point box wrench, then with a hammer you tap on the opposite end side of wrench to ease it loose....this WILL work...unless you pissed the guy off and he used permenent lock tight.

[wafrederick]

I have seen them overtightened and had to break them loose with the proper 6 point size socket on a 1/2" drive breaker bar.I have seen one case,the oil change place overtightened an oil filter and could not get it off.The thread repair kit for the stripped out thread drain plug kits is not cheap,just over a hundred dollars even off of any tool truck.I did hear about an oil change place paying for a new engine,forgot to tighten the drain plug,came loose and killed the engine.