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Ok so apparently the last time I changed my oil I tightened the plug a bit much, so I stripped it slightly this time. Upon searching for a new plug (yeah i know i could probably just hit the hardware store or JY), i found an "easy drain" plug on rockauto. Has anyone used these? Is it worth getting? Any problems?

I was able to use an M14-1.50 *Oversize* drain plug to fix mine:

This is part of the Dorfman 'Oil-Tite' line at AutoStoned and similar outfits.
The Part number is: 65217.


Just be sure you put it in STRAIGHT and SQUARE when you are installing it, and not crooked, the way I did.....


- Nick

I like the idea of magnetic drain plugs.

Why not buy one from the dealer?

ZeroChad wrote:I like the idea of magnetic drain plugs.

So do I ..... I have one on all of my Neons.

( Except for the one that I used the Oversize M14-1.50mm drain plug on, and put it in 'crockeyed'.)

I have a replacement oil pan ready for it, I just need to install it, on the next oil change - I'll be going back to the magnetic drain plug after that.


- Nick

An "easy drain" plug? How hard is it with a regular plug? You remove it and the oil comes out.

I guess it depends if he stripped out the drain plug itself..... or the oil pan.

My experience is that once the *drain plug* gets stripped, you may be able to change the oil 2 or 3 more times.... Eventually, the remaining threads in the oil pan, come off with the drain plug.
Its happened to me a couple of times.


- Nick

darthroush wrote:An "easy drain" plug? How hard is it with a regular plug? You remove it and the oil comes out.

+1

Easy drain plugs are a really bad idea. Just imagine hitting a really big pot hole, the easy drain slips partially open, you lose all your oil within the next mile without realizing it. Within a matter of minutes your motor is seized or pretty well damaged all because you had to have a fancy plug that you don't have to remove but still takes the same effort of twisting.

I can see your point with that, but that would have to be a pretty big pothole, and considering the drain plug sits up about 1/4" from the bottom of the pan it shouldn't affect it.

Thanks to you guys that mentioned the Magnetic drain plugs. I think i'm gonna go with one of those, easy way to catch a little more debris without the hassle of using one of those filter magnets!

Are the threads stripped, or just the hex part of the head, from the wrench slipping?

It's just the head of the bolt... The threads are perfect. Just don't want to have to break out the vice grips to remove it eventually! lol

Ah, then it is a simple fix.

Then you have a rounded head, not a stripped plug.


In that case, on your next oil change pick up a new plug, and get out the vice grips. Problem solved.


It's probably not so much that you overtorqued the plug as it is putting the wrench on crooked.

Or used an adjustable wrench, or open end. Always use the boxed end or a socket.

And even a socket is iffy when used wrong.

Safest bet is the boxed end of a wrench.

6 point if at all possible for whatever type of wrench or socket you use.

racer12306 wrote:Then you have a rounded head, not a stripped plug.

Ah bingo. It's all about the terminology!


Good luck stripping steel threads in an aluminum oil pan...

Not to thread hijack, but which way does one loosen the drain plug? Counter clockwise like every other bolt right? Only reason I ask such a noob question is because I for the life of me cant loosen mine. It has (now) a stripped head and wont come undone even with a visegrip.

lol yeah I see that now! Guess I didn't think about stripping the threads as opposed to rounding the head off! My bad, but thanks for the information regardless.

DroopDaddy408 wrote:Not to thread hijack, but which way does one loosen the drain plug? Counter clockwise like every other bolt right? Only reason I ask such a noob question is because I for the life of me cant loosen mine. It has (now) a stripped head and wont come undone even with a visegrip.

Remember : "Lefty loosey, righty tighty".

OB wrote: Good luck stripping steel threads in an aluminum oil pan...

It's happened to me.....

However, this was on my very-used '99 Neon with about 200,000+miles on it ( I am the 2nd owner.)


On my other Neons, I've never had anyone else change the oil, so I have never had any problems with stripped drain plugs.
( READ: Drain plug damage caused by Fast Lube Oil Change outfits / m0r0ns )


- Nick

Left Loosey, righty tighty. Exactly, that's why I didnt even bother trying to turn it to the right. Even tho it was starting to strip, I refused to turn it to the right. Oh well.

DroopDaddy408 wrote:Left Loosey, righty tighty. Exactly, that's why I didnt even bother trying to turn it to the right. Even tho it was starting to strip, I refused to turn it to the right. Oh well.

That's "Lefty Loosey, and Righty Tighty" at the top of the turn, not the bottom.... just to clarify.
( Counter-clockwise to loosen; Clockwise to tighten )


- Nick.

^^Ya, got it. 2mro when I'm rested I'ma try again.

DroopDaddy408 wrote:^^Ya, got it. 2mro when I'm rested I'ma try again.

Maybe you'll need to do what you did for those lug nuts...

Just hammer-on a smaller socket, 12pt, if you don't have an extractor. Best way to get a rounded bolt out in a pinch.