Just checked... clockwise was my original direction of turn

Oh no, I'm certain this is me not knowing what I'm doing, and not a fault in previous maintenance. Somehow I need to learn the difference between a bolt that is hard to turn because it's part of a 19-year-old vehicle, and one that's hard to turn because I'm doing something drastically wrong. I hope I can start learning that in a way that isn't quite so destructive...

Hello,
You just had some bad luck, that's all.
Over the years, I have scrapped good carbs and other expensive car parts by applying too much force to screws, nuts and other fasteners.
I hate to tell you this, but it happens.......even to the pros.
DO NOT be shy of asking for help if unsure about repair procedures.

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Nachi11744

sorry to hear of this dilemma.

gosh now it seems you have nothing to lose. get an adjustable or right size wrench and try to turn the plug counterclockwise. if it won't start to come out try to wedge a thin screwdriver between the plug and the oil pan, and with the screwdriver still in there, use the adjustable again.
good luck.

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

It's likely, if that drain bolt has any threads left inside the oil pan, they're so mangled it will never come out. (At least not with any force you can apply with a thin screwdriver) But, at this point, what have you got to lose? You'll probably need to remove the oil pan, cut the bolt head off and drive the stub INWARD to clear the hole. If the oil pan threads are ruined you'll need a new oil pan.

Now for the good news. According to my manual, the 5 cylinder diesel has the older style 2-piece, upper & lower oil pan. The lower section, containing the stripped drain, should be easily removeable, without having to pull the engine. Worst case - you'll need a new lower oil pan & gasket and drain plug & washer.
You'll need an allen wrench for the oil pan bolts. Just don't turn them the wrong way!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I dont' know... I might be wrong on this but...

If the drain plug was in correctly and wasn't turned
the wrong way, wouldn't it be hard to strip the
threads?
Now, if someone cross-threaded it while putting
it back in then I can see this happening.
No doubt some smart a$$ used an impact wrench on it.

Just a thought.


Louis.

webwench don't worry we all make mistakes. I have stripped many fasteners, I just stripped the head out of the 9mm hex head bolt that holds my passengers side engine mount on. Who ever put that bolt in was sick! If you want a challenge you could pull the lower pan yourself and replace it? I have never been under a 617 but from what others have said it is not to hard.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Things look a little less dire this morning...

I will try the screwdriver trick, after which, if unsuccessful, it looks like the next project is dropping the bottom half of the drain pan. You are correct that it is a two-part pan and it looks easy enough -- messy though! I'll report back tonight with results.

nope. I put it in, by hand. no impact wrench.

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Cannondale ST600 XL
Redline Monocog 29er
2011 Mini Cooper Clubman
2005 Honda Element EX

www.djugurba.com
www.waldenwellness.com

No laughing. That would be rude, incensitive and impolite.

I must commend you on your writing skills. You tell a story very well. Great style.

You seemed to have tightened your drainplug instead of loosening it. Tightened it so much that you stripped all its' threads. You should be proud. Not many would have had the strength to do what you did.

Always remember: Righty tighty, lefty loosey.

Good luck.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

OMG, I wish one third of my screw-ups were as cheap to fix as this. You can get the pan and other parts from FastLane (see top of window). You are going to make a mess. Don't worry about it. Just run down to the local autoparts store and buy a big bad of oil-dry (kitty litter). You just cover any oil you spill with it and sweep it up later.
Have one person (strong) hold the pan up while you remove the screws. They can lower it down, holding it level, to the ground. Then just remove the old gasket (gently) and clean up the gasket surface. Put everything together with a new gasket. Be sure to put the new drain plug (with copper washer) in the pan before you add oil or you will learn the do-it-yourselfers' mantra: "Don't ask me how I know". BTW, you may now officially use it.
Little tip: use a small screwdriver to remove the crud out of the allen wrench hole in the oil pan bolts. That way, you can get the allen driver deep into the bolt and not round out the hole. Anyone remember what size it takes so she can buy the right one?
BobK

I believe it's 5mm. There are about 20 allen screws to remove. Since the oil pan is toast anyway, you might want to carefully punch a small hole in it and let the oil drain out in a controlled manner. That way removing the pan is not so messy.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Whoa, not on Open Forum!

Wow, this week went fast. Just got a chance to check on your project. So Is the pan back on and the car back on the road? Sounds like you had things under control. BTW, I like to use GoJo Orange hand cleaner to remove grease & oil. Really helps with diesels. I get it at AutoZoo. Comes in a big plastic can with an orange lid. I buy them two at a time (hate to run out before I'm clean)