When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I’ve managed to round the oil drain plug on a 2009 911 Carrera. My first attempt to use a screw extractor resulted in the tip of the extractor breaking and embedding in the plug.
My second attempt to drill a pilot hole for another screw extractor resulted in putting a hole through the drain plug draining the oil pan.
The aluminum plug is very soft. I’m concerned that fitting a different screw extractor in this new hole will only result in expanding the hole without turning the plug. I’ve read other posts where some suggested a dremel to cut a slot across the bolt head and using a screwdriver or small chisel to tap the plug in the open direction.
The top of the bolt is barely proud of the pan, making this approach challenging for me.
Should I give another go with a less tapered (fatter) screw extractor? Plan C is to drop the pan and have a mechanic extract the plug on a bench.
Use a ***** punch with a hammer to make a divot about an eighth of an inch from the edge. Then angle the punch into the divot and hammer the plug loose. Then it will unscrew easily.
Should I give another go with a less tapered (fatter) screw extractor? Plan C is to drop the pan and have a mechanic extract the plug on a bench.
What advice do others have here?
TRB
As recommended you can try the chisel solution first.
If that doesn't work, get a stronger extractor (M14-M18) but only if you can drill in the centre! Alternatively cut a large left-hand thread and screw up to the stop. But here as well, only if center is available. It is important to remove the swarf afterwards -- that's why the chisel-solution is better.
Use a ***** punch with a hammer to make a divot about an eighth of an inch from the edge. Then angle the punch into the divot and hammer the plug loose. Then it will unscrew easily.
I've used a chisel sometimes to build the divot and then shifted to am alignment tool/ounch for the heavy work. It helps if the end of the tool has a clean 90 degree edge. Hard precise strikes. Takes some patience.
Wayne's way is the fasted and easiest... stupid fast and easy.
Another approach if you have a Dremel, is just cut a slot across the top and use a simple flat head screwdriver... I have done Wayne's method and it is the easiest fastest. BTW, if you don't have a punch, just use one of those crappy philips head screwdrivers you refuse to throw away, and use its point to ding a divit in the plug head, then the corner of a flat head screwdriver and tap it to unscrew.
Did the same thing earlier this year. This worked for me.
Stripped the drain bolt and had to run down to ace hardware to pick up a spiral screw extractor. The one I used was from Irwin Hanson Size 6. Just used a hammer to set the extractor onto the stripped screw and was able to use a wrench to loosen the bolt.
Good luck hope you can find a solution that works for you.
And get an east wood tap handle to center the extractor, I've had it where studs and hex heads break off and if the pilot holes off center a regular wrench will walk the extractor into the threads and then you got a new problem. Thats really the only thing good about allen heads, the pilot holes already centered after some knuckle head strips it. If you diy bondhaus makes a special set of allen keys that are slightly indented on the flat sides to grip harder than usual.
I managed to removed the rounded oil pan drain plug using the method Wayne suggested. I used a center punch to create a small divot. I filed down a 3/8 inch chisel to create a sharper point. Once a had created a lip on the plug using the chisel, I used a flat-head screw to break it free. Thank you for all of the suggestions!
I managed to removed the rounded oil pan drain plug using the method Wayne suggested. I used a center punch to create a small divot. I filed down a 3/8 inch chisel to create a sharper point. Once a had created a lip on the plug using the chisel, I used a flat-head screw to break it free. Thank you for all of the suggestions!
Glad to hear you got it done and thanks for coming back here to let everyone know.
I’m not surprised, the torque spec for the drain plug is ridiculous. I did my oil change for the first time in January, and stopped way before the torque spec as I felt like I was going to strip the plug. Something is definitely not correct about the OEM spec.
Do you guys use a different spec? Or just use the “that’s about right” feel by hand method?
I’m not surprised, the torque spec for the drain plug is ridiculous. I did my oil change for the first time in January, and stopped way before the torque spec as I felt like I was going to strip the plug. Something is definitely not correct about the OEM spec.
Do you guys use a different spec? Or just use the “that’s about right” feel by hand method?
OEM spec is something like 38 ft.lbs. - as you say, ridiculous. I use 19 ft.lbs. which is the spec on the LN Engineering magnetic plugs I use, but would use that same value with the OEM plug too.
OEM spec is something like 38 ft.lbs. - as you say, ridiculous. I use 19 ft.lbs. which is the spec on the LN Engineering magnetic plugs I use, but would use that same value with the OEM plug too.
I’ve managed to round the oil drain plug on a 2009 911 Carrera. My first attempt to use a screw extractor resulted in the tip of the extractor breaking and embedding in the plug.
My second attempt to drill a pilot hole for another screw extractor resulted in putting a hole through the drain plug draining the oil pan.
The aluminum plug is very soft. I’m concerned that fitting a different screw extractor in this new hole will only result in expanding the hole without turning the plug. I’ve read other posts where some suggested a dremel to cut a slot across the bolt head and using a screwdriver or small chisel to tap the plug in the open direction.
The top of the bolt is barely proud of the pan, making this approach challenging for me.
Should I give another go with a less tapered (fatter) screw extractor? Plan C is to drop the pan and have a mechanic extract the plug on a bench.
What advice do others have here?
TRB
You guys are all maniacs..How bloody tight are you reefing this nut. You should be able to feel the crush washer compress and that's it the nut is tight.
11-17-2023, 02:59 AM
Rounded Oil drain plug
