Drain Plug Opinion

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:19 pm

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?

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:28 pm

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

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:43 pm

I like the idea of magnetic drain plugs.

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 11:58 pm

Why not buy one from the dealer?

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:08 am

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

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:11 am

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

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:16 am

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

Haganracing · Post by **Haganracing** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:53 am

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

+1

gtxtreme19 · Post by **gtxtreme19** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:03 am

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.

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:52 am

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.

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:49 am

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!

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:29 pm

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

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:46 pm

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

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:28 pm

Ah, then it is a simple fix.

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 3:42 pm

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.

Post by **occasional demons** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 5:21 pm

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

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 5:24 pm

And even a socket is iffy when used wrong.

Safest bet is the boxed end of a wrench.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 5:26 pm

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

OB · Post by OB » Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:05 pm

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...

DroopDaddy408 · Post by **DroopDaddy408** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:00 pm

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.

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:01 pm

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.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:20 pm

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

DroopDaddy408 · Post by **DroopDaddy408** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:42 pm

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.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:51 pm

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.

DroopDaddy408 · Post by **DroopDaddy408** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:57 pm

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

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:15 am

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...

OB · Post by OB » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:52 pm

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.