Anybody ever crack their oil drain plug?

[Runaboveit]

So after switching out my starter I was tightening up some slightly loose bolts holding on the plastic valance under the bumper and the pieces around it. Anyway, I noticed there was a drop of oil forming on the end of the drain plug. Must not have tightened it enough when I did the last oil change. So I threw my ratchet on it and gave it a tug, it moved slightly. I thought that was good enough but then I doubted myself and tugged again.. heard a crack. Ouch.

Got it up to operating temp and took it for a drive, no leaks thankfully.

But sooner than later I'm going to change the oil again. Any tips on getting it out? It didnt crack too much.. not sure if it will come out in one piece.

Should I bring it to a shop the next time my oil change rolls around and bring a new drain plug with me and explain the situation? I dont have any taps or easy outs (never used one either).

Any input appreciated. I really need to get a torque wrench, they are just so damn expensive... and then to make any use of one I would have to buy a new set of 1/2'' extensions/adapters. blech. I need more money lol.

[Crazytaxi37]

Pray that it was the bolt and not the pan.

[Cliff8928]

Agreed, a friend of mine had to replace that oil pan. Those side bolts are a pain with an automatic trans there.

[Runaboveit]

crap, I hope thats not what happened. :( $50 bucks for a new (used) pan around here. This is the first time I broke something while working on the alero. I'm always so careful. grr.

[hotrodwolf]

I'm just glad to hear there is a pan. When i looked under mine i thought it was a one piece block!

[Redog]

I usually have a replacement plug on hand just in case. Although my replacement in in the car now :eek:

The last shop I went to before my current mech didn't like the fact I changed my own oil so they did the same thing and I couldn't get it on the ground, had to be done on a lift. They fucked up the rubber ring on the bolt, so the replacement went in. The replacement is better anyway, has a magnet on it. GM dealer, $3 ;)

[Crazytaxi37]

Anyone know the torque spec on the oil plug???

[alero_bmxer]

Anyone know the torque spec on the oil plug???

pretty sure there isn't one.... just "snug"

[Pacho]

there is one, it's either 18 or 20 lb-ft. blackjack posted it once from hayne's manual.

[zzyzzx]

I usually have a replacement plug on hand just in case.

That's a really good idea!


The replacement is better anyway, has a magnet on it. GM dealer, $3 ;)

The GM dealer has replacement plugs with the magnet built in?



Anyway, exactly how do you plan on using a torque wrench on this since you can't use a ratchet on this one, at least on the 3400 engine you can't. I hate when they do that.

[Redog]

^^ At least mine did.

I'm not sure of the exact ft lbs but 13 rings a bell.

I just "sung" it

[BlackJack]

answer: 18 lb ft

For the rest of the torque specs on the 3400:

http://wot-tech.com/shop/articles/la1-3400-torque-specs/cat_66.html

[Lucalare]

it's pretty unlikely that you damaged the pan, the drain plug will be made out of a softer metal than the threading inside the pan

[Runaboveit]

Thanks for all the replies :)

I have a question, Do you guys use a drain plug gasket? When I got the car I bought a new plug and it came with a new plastic gasket. When the next oil change came, it was all melted and didnt look like it would still seal well so I didnt use it and then a few changes later I noticed this leak. Should I use another gasket next time... I would imagine it will keep melting though. Are our cars supposed to have one on the plug? Anybody know?

[TheThickster]

pretty sure there isn't one.... just "snug"

werd. i usually give about a 30-45 degree turn.

[Lucalare]

the threads on the plug should be enough to hold the oil in, although i suppose it wouldn't hurt to try a new gasket. If the threads in the pan are worn i suppose it could cause a leak, so that gasket might prevent it.