Help! stripped the oil drain bolt - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Sportline93 · #1 12-15-2003, 01:24 PM

Well I was attempting to change my oil and while taking the bolt out to drain I stripped it. How would I go about getting this out? Do I have to buy a new oil pan?

Thanks, Chris

mark cummins · #2 12-15-2003, 01:51 PM

You have Two Options
a Install a Insert to repair the threads
B replace the Oil Pan..

You may want to look into a Topsider to change the oil.

tunk · #3 12-15-2003, 03:54 PM

every one stips bolts once in a while. take it to a local shop if you are really worried and ask them to get it out for you, see if you have a good independent in your area. make sure you pick up the extra bolt before going there. Then when the guy puts the new one on tell him not to crank it down so that you have to go back three months later. Also, try a search on strip or something like that, it comes up frequently and there are several manufacturers who make little gadgets to help with the fubar bolt. Craftsman at sears sells some, try adding one of those to your xmas list and see if it helps out. above all don't keep going out there with the vise grips to see if you can get it off, get the right tool or help.

cdt

haasman · #4 12-15-2003, 04:02 PM

Chris

I think this has happened to most of us, one time or another. Often these drain bolts are over-tightened in an attempt to prevent drips and leaks, when a new crush washer is what is really needed.

As per the previous posts, there are quite a few ways to get it out. The last time I did one, I followed I believe Gilly's advice and got a sharp chisel, whacked a good indent on the edge in the counter-clockwise direction. It seems this is often enough to get it started.

The drain plug is designed to fail before the threaded portion of the oil pan. There are of course some exceptions to this, but generaly true.

Check with Sears.

Haasman

gmacosta · #5 12-16-2003, 12:34 AM

go to SEARS and buy those screw/ bolt extractors. you drill a small pilot hole and then use those extractors , they grab into the hole and unscrew it out . I did this on a screw head, but i think in did bolts too. Do what I did , buy the most expensive set, use it, then return it. Free tool rental.

haasman · #6 12-16-2003, 12:58 AM

Here's one:

Craftsman 13 pc. Bolt Out™ Set

Removes stripped, rusted or painted nuts/bolts that cannot be gripped/removed by ordinary tools.

Sears item #00952162000
Mfr. model #52162

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00952162000

Sportline93 · #7 12-16-2003, 03:28 AM

Thanks for all the help guys...I'll be running to sears in the morning then.

csnow · #8 12-16-2003, 10:26 AM

This is super common.

Did you use a 12 pt socket?
My theory is that this will not happen with a 6 pt socket, but someone may prove me wrong.

You could try driving a 1/2 inch socket on there, which is just slightly smaller than a 13mm, or perhaps a 12mm 12 pt socket. Chisel can work. Grinding new 'faces' with a Dremel tool, and using a smaller wrench or socket is yet another trick. Otherwise, the 'external' socket-type extractors Haasman posted are probably going to be the ideal tool for this one. The drill-type extractors are risky here, since you are in it deep if the extractor breaks. Unless the head breaks off, I would avoid that route.

Typical fallbacks like Vise grips, pipe wrenches, and such do not work well here due to the angle.

The underlying problem is the steel bolt in the aluminum pan, and an extraordinarily long threaded section for a plug bolt. A little teflon tape will prevent this problem.

Sportline93 · #9 12-16-2003, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the help everyone...I picked up the extractor from sears and it worked like magic

Now all I have to do is return it haha.