Oil Plug Bolt Stripped Advice 1GRFE

To be fair we're discussing a stripped pan, not the way we'd normally plug an undamaged one.

 

I didn’t even know there was such a thing. Learn new stuff on this site all the time.

 

You could put an oversized plug in it. They basically cut new threads but once you take it back out that’s pretty much it so you will need something like this so you done have to take out the plug to remove the oil. You can just extract it from the dipstick tube.

 

I ran the same crush washer on my wife's Subaru Legacy for 25 oil changes (125,000 miles) and it never leaked. I finally lost it down in the oil pan and did not feel like digging it out and it had served its purpose.

In your case I would probably drill and tap for the next size larger plug. The best option would be to change the oil pan if you can get it off without too much trouble. Or, could a good welder weld a nut over the existing drain plug hole?

 

Go to an indie shop or DIY, so you can use less expensive aftermarket parts:
Replacement pan is less than $30: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=12677201&cc=1431544&pt=5562
Gasket is less than $5: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1021070&cc=1431544&pt=5436&jsn=448&jsn=448
The parts cost less than an oil change at the dealer!

The lower pan bolts are accessible without dropping the diff. (Though dropping the diff slightly isn't a big deal - just support it with a jack and loosen the mounting bolts. CV axles can stay attached.)

 

First World problems.

 

Although nowadays I pretty much replace the washer every oil change (probably also has to do with the dealer throwing one in for free with the filter), I've reused them multiple times before and never had one drop of oil leaking.

 

I went up to a 7/16" bolt (the next size either in SAE or Metric) on the transmission pan for a 3rd gen 4runner that the previous owner left stripped. It wouldn't seal without rtv on the threads, but not going to be removing it for another 50k+ miles and with the use it gets, it'll maybe not go that far.

At least drill and tap and then and seeing what happens to it can always have a plan B with replacing the pan.

 

so true

 

Nothing says third world like making sarcastic remarks on an internet forum

 

Really? Thought it was Soup de Jour

 

Bravo !!
Leave it to a guy from New Hampsha to get the job done !

 

Not a bad idea - the material by the time you get out to a size M14 might not be as thick as the material they use to thread the original plug into. May want to throw a tack on it if it seals.