Plan B on Gearbox Drain Plug

[Greg Roberts]

Well i got the correct socket and open spanner and tried to undo the sump plug. All that happened is the plug metal shears at the edges and i am going nowhere. I suspect the plug has never been off !!

So what are the plan B options ?

Now i could angle grind the head of the plug off, however i can't be sure that the remaining thread inside the case will rotate easily to be removed and a new plug fitted. Also there is a danger i will damage the seal around the case.

Anyone else been in this spot where a nut just would not move ?

NB: i am turning anti-clockwise so the obvious thought of me turning the wrong way is not the issue.

Thanks !!

[marky210]

You could try putting some Penatrine on the sump plug and keep puting it on and let it soak into the thread and hopefully this will allow it to crack its seal when you apply torque to the sump plug and should screw out.

Another thing you may have to do is file the edges of the sump plug down as to allow you to fit the next size socket down to stop the sump plug from stripping again.......

Try the Penatrine or anything similar to soak into the thread first and cross your fingers it works

Cheers, Mark

[Andrew]

Take it to a mechanic

[jules]

x2, let a mechanic at it. I wouldn't screw around with this area of the car.


Jules

[Wuey]

Been there. Leave the 12-point socket ALONE! Either drive to a mechanic or get a six-point socket plus a length of cheater bar.

[Greg Roberts]

Ok thanks and you are on the money, it was a 12 point spanner !!

[irwin83r]

either take it to a ->GOOD<- mechanic or just give it a go your self. honestly most mechanics are no better than the back yard banger anyway.

did you try giving it a hit? either on the spanner or on the head of the plug?

im not saying you should try and undo the plug by hitting the flat around but if you give it a firm hit on the head of the bolt towards the bottom of the bolt, it compresses the crap in the thread and often frees it up.

as long as you have a good quality ring spanner or socket that is the right size (ie fits with no slop) you shouldnt need an impact socket or a six point... it shouldnt be that tight.. and ive put bucket loads of pressure onto bolts with 12points... with a good fitting spanner if it has started to round off the points though you may be best using a 6 point.. but dont be afraind of having a go with a hammer and a punch before you head to the \"mechanic\"... they'll most likly only do the same thing.. or use a large bit of pipe or a breaker bar with a good socket

[jules]

Yeah, but if they f*** it up, then it's their job to fix. Really if it were me, I'd wander in with a 5 litre container of oil and a filter and say. Here you go guys. How much for an oil change?


Jules