Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:12 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vail, Colorado
Posts: 11
stripped oil drain plug bolt head

1990 350 SDL... socket would not budge oil drain plug... previous owner must have used air wrench on it. I figured I would just use vise grips and replace the drain plug. But even with vise grips I couldn't budge it. Now it is really total stripped. A friend suggested I heat it with a torch for a few minutes and try vice grips again. If that doesn't work, Suggestions?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:20 PM
Cervan's Avatar
Crazy mechanic.
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: olympia washington
Posts: 1,809
Quote:
Originally Posted by starshipcomando View Post
1990 350 SDL... socket would not budge oil drain plug... previous owner must have used air wrench on it. I figured I would just use vise grips and replace the drain plug. But even with vise grips I couldn't budge it. Now it is really total stripped. A friend suggested I heat it with a torch for a few minutes and try vice grips again. If that doesn't work, Suggestions?
Torch usually does the trick. if not. get the head of the bolt cherry red hot and then drill it out (Heating the bolt red hot anneals it and makes the metal softer easyer to drill)
__________________
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:21 PM
guage's Avatar
PEEKABOO I SEE YOU
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,333
Maybe the Sears tool they talk about in this thread would help.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=205136
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:22 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 24
Lock the vise grips

Lock the vise grips tight and tap with a hammer. Keep tapping medium hard and alot sometimes the impact action will break it loose.

I have done this a couple of times with success and only done light damage to myself and tools.
__________________
1985 300tdt 238,000
2005 Sprinter Westfalia 15,000
2006 Cannondale System Six 10,000
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:25 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Milford, DE
Posts: 1,558
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cervan View Post
Torch usually does the trick. if not. get the head of the bolt cherry red hot and then drill it out (Heating the bolt red hot anneals it and makes the metal softer easyer to drill)
Wow.

You want to use a torch to get the OIL DRAIN PLUG bolt "cherry red"?

I think you may be overlooking something...Whats wrong with this picture?
__________________
98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (123k)
13 GLK250 (135k)
06 E320CDI (323K)
16 C300 (62K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:29 PM
Craig
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimFreeh View Post
Wow.

You want to use a torch to get the OIL DRAIN PLUG bolt "cherry red"?

I think you may be overlooking something...Whats wrong with this picture?
He forgot to suggest that you get it on video.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-14-2007, 05:32 PM
bustedbenz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Valle Crucis, NC
Posts: 2,283
I actually had a problem with this on mine, and we've always changed our own. I can't figure why but once time it locked up so tight it nearly stripped. Solved it by cracking that pan and replacing it all at once.

In your situation, the sears easy-out might do it. If not, then drilling (with or without torching) is your best bet. If you clean it off VERY carefully... like, not a drop of oil that could possibly burn, you might safely torch it... but it's a steel bolt and an aluminum threaded pan, which means that if you did torch it, my guess is the aluminum threads would probably deform around the bolt before the bolt itself was workable. Cherry red isn't a great idea. If you wanted to just heat it up slightly it might make it easier to turn with the vise-grip and hammer approach.
__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-14-2007, 07:29 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
First suck the oil out of the dipstick. Then make sure the oil pan is dry and not covered with oil. Pop a set of vise grips on what is left of the head of the plug, and hit the pan with a torch. It will come right out.

Go to your local dealer and get a new one, put the new one in just tight enough to crush the washer for a good seal. All you should need for this is a 13mm open end wrench.

These plugs have a lot of threads, you just need to tighten them slightly past hand tight.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-14-2007, 07:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 106
If it is really tight, and not leaking, I think I'd be tempted to just leave it in there, and just suck the oil out of the dipstick (which is what I do) and not mess with it.
__________________
1983 300D (Hans)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:12 PM
300SD81's Avatar
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: University of Georgia
Posts: 1,082
What engine is it? If its easy to take the pan off, that'd be a good idea...
__________________
Ich liebe meine Autos!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage.
2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot

Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:14 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Quote:
Originally Posted by 300SD81 View Post
What engine is it? If its easy to take the pan off, that'd be a good idea...
On the 603 removing the oil pan is a big, messy PITA job. Its a big cast aluminum thing, and their is cross member under it.

If it was a 617, and I'd probably drop the pan just to take a look at everything, the lower pan looks pretty simple to do.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:19 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Swarthmore, PA
Posts: 22
Just a thought about torching. If you have shop facilities, consider using a brazing tip on your torch. With a # 3 tip you can heat just the center of the nut. Heat it up (not red) and let it cool down, do that 4 time and you should be
able to turn it without damaging the pan. This method works in a lot of other areas.
Constantine
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:23 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Constantine View Post
Just a thought about torching. If you have shop facilities, consider using a brazing tip on your torch. With a # 3 tip you can heat just the center of the nut. Heat it up (not red) and let it cool down, do that 4 time and you should be
able to turn it without damaging the pan. This method works in a lot of other areas.
Constantine
You didn't happen to read post #5 and do a bit of a thought process after you read it..........did you?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:28 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Swarthmore, PA
Posts: 22
If that doesn't work get a short piece of all thread (mild steel) which is not heat treated. Weld the thread onto the drain bolt and then put a nut on the all thread and weld it from the top so you can get a socket wrench on it...

Constantine
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:32 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Blue Point, NY
Posts: 25,396
Quote:
Originally Posted by Constantine View Post
If that doesn't work get a short piece of all thread (mild steel) which is not heat treated. Weld the thread onto the drain bolt and then put a nut on the all thread and weld it from the top so you can get a socket wrench on it...

Constantine
..........if that doesn't work........you'll have the fire department over for a few beers..........

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page