WOW....I got lucky! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

psaboic · #1 10-10-2012, 01:48 PM

As the title says.... and not the way you may think :->

Noticed a few drops of fresh oil under the 300D yesterday at work when I went to leave for the day. Got down on my hands and knees and checked and it seemed to be dripping from the oil pan drain bolt. Got the car home (a 40 mile drive) and let it sit overnight. Checked the oil level in the AM and it was down a tad but not much.

Checked the drain bolt and it would turn but not tighten (uh-oh) So, I took it out and drained the oil. I looked at the drain bolt and it was stripped clean except for two threads at the very end!! It wasn't that way when I last changed the oil, so it had to be done by the garage that changed it last month (about 1500 miles ago).

I put the bolt back in and it went in normal and tightened down ok with a socket until I got to about the last 1/8 of an inch before it would just be snug against the pan and then I could feel it let go. At this point I was able to spin it with my fingers (not good)

So, Peach parts just got an order for a couple drain plugs and crush washers from me.....I just hope it is only the plug and not the pan threads that were screwed. However since it did tighten up normally until the very last, I'm thinking the pan threads are ok and it is just the plug.

If not......how big of a PITA is it to change the oil pan??

Glenn

TheDon · #2 10-10-2012, 01:52 PM

the w123 pan, its cake. Just a lot of work removing the bolts and then fighting a bit with the gasket.

greazzer · #3 10-10-2012, 02:43 PM

X 2 very accessible. About a 2 hour job. If you can wait until the next oil change, then that would be the time to do it. Oil pan is under $30 bucks. Drain plug is about $3 and gasket is $10, so total with oil change is under $100 bucks. Getting the gasket off is messy and a pain just like TheDon said.

psaboic · #4 10-10-2012, 03:00 PM

Well, I'm going to try a new drain plug first and hope that it will snug up normally. If not, well, then that will tell me it is time for a new pan. I'm NOT driving it until I can get a new drain plug in there. Right now it is in, but it will not snug up tight. You can maybe put 2 ft lbs of torque on it and it will start to spin. I did not look while I was under there, but are the oil pan bolts hex head, or star or????

Jeremy5848 · #5 10-10-2012, 04:28 PM

Sounds like another good reason to buy a Topsider and change the oil that way. The drain bolt can't strip if it never has to come out. Whether a shop would use a Topsider I don't know but I'd never let them touch my car anyway.

Jeremy

Zacharias · #6 10-10-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

I did not look while I was under there, but are the oil pan bolts hex head, or star or????

Hex, 5 mm I believe.

Be careful on the one at the passenger side front corner, it's longer as it also passes through a bracket. I had an awful time taking that one out. The rest were easy. Maybe it was just an issue with my car.

The tightening torque when you reinstall the pan is 10 Nm.

I second the Topsider (or other fluid extractor) suggestion for draining the oil. The advantage of the Topsider is that it will fit in your trunk, so if you need to have a shop do the oil change, you can take it with you easily.

psaboic · #7 10-10-2012, 06:29 PM

Thanks for all the tips folks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it is just the drain bolt and not the pan that is screwed up. It will most likely be Monday until I can get the bolt from PeachParts.

Funny thing living out here in the wilds (so to speak) it is cheaper and faster to order on-line from PeachParts than it is to go to the local NAPA (who wants 12.50 for the bolt and 10 days to get it here!!)

SirNik84 · #8 10-10-2012, 06:46 PM

Sounds from your description there is a good chance the pan is fine. But I'd suggest when you get the new bolt, take it down to NAPA and get the correct tap for the threads. Chase the threads in the oil pan with the tap. This should clean out any galling of the threads.
Encountered several stripped bolts on my projects recently, having the correct tap and cleaning the threads saved me from having to replace parts.

vstech · #9 10-10-2012, 06:56 PM

ok, if the bolt itself is missing all the base threads, a shop put it on with an impact wrench... you got VERY LUCKY! however, those threads could be in the pan. be sure to flush the oil out well...
it does sound like it's only the bolt that is damaged, but wow, I'd worry about using the pan again. that much torque is disastrous!

vstech · #10 10-10-2012, 06:57 PM

oh, and any auto parts store should stock a drain pan bolt that will fit. but it'll be a different hex size. a fresh oil filter should have replacement copper crush washers!

MBeige · #11 10-10-2012, 09:48 PM

Be careful with the allen head bolts, clean each one thoroughly before attempting removal.

And close your mouth if there's quite a bit of dirt/grease!