Another botched oil change thread
#1
Another botched oil change thread
Finally after years of wrenching in the driveway it happened. I botched an oil change on my 2-month old new to me 06 MCS automagic.
I went to get this drain plug off, left loosey right tighty I know, and stripped the head of the bolt. I used the recommended 13mm socket and it rounded right of. Tried channel locks with no luck, just more material coming off.
Hammered some smaller sockets on there as a final attempt and it was a no go. It looks much more round than when I took this pic. It was after the first pass.
![Name: E8FA0EA1-CA96-411C-8948-0EEC97DEEEAB_zps5oghsoa8.jpg
Views: 87
Size: 156.3 KB](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/attachments/stock-problems-issues/141511d1501200938-another-botched-oil-change-thread-e8fa0ea1-ca96-411c-8948-0eec97deeeab_zps5oghsoa8.jpg)
I've never tapped a bolt to back it out, maybe it's the easiest way but I don't feel comfortable with it on this particular part.![Impatient](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/images/smilies/impatient.gif)
The dealer is 2.5hrs away from me so it's a fairly long trip. So in all prolly a $250-300 job and 5 hours of driving.
I'm wondering if these types of pumps that take oil out from the dip stick of our cars work?
I like to do what I can at home with my cars so kinda still figuring this one out. Thanks guys.
I went to get this drain plug off, left loosey right tighty I know, and stripped the head of the bolt. I used the recommended 13mm socket and it rounded right of. Tried channel locks with no luck, just more material coming off.
Hammered some smaller sockets on there as a final attempt and it was a no go. It looks much more round than when I took this pic. It was after the first pass.
![Name: E8FA0EA1-CA96-411C-8948-0EEC97DEEEAB_zps5oghsoa8.jpg
Views: 87
Size: 156.3 KB](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/attachments/stock-problems-issues/141511d1501200938-another-botched-oil-change-thread-e8fa0ea1-ca96-411c-8948-0eec97deeeab_zps5oghsoa8.jpg)
I've never tapped a bolt to back it out, maybe it's the easiest way but I don't feel comfortable with it on this particular part.
![Impatient](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/images/smilies/impatient.gif)
The dealer is 2.5hrs away from me so it's a fairly long trip. So in all prolly a $250-300 job and 5 hours of driving.
I'm wondering if these types of pumps that take oil out from the dip stick of our cars work?
I like to do what I can at home with my cars so kinda still figuring this one out. Thanks guys.
Last edited by MF-DIF; 04-02-2017 at 12:17 PM.
#3
sadly had you read you'd have learned than 13mm is a sloppy fit while 1/2 inch is perfect
![Name: 100_0010.jpg
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Size: 50.5 KB](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/attachments/stock-problems-issues/141509d1501200938-another-botched-oil-change-thread-100_0010.jpg)
I didn't learn this until I mangled a couple ....
You should be able to find these and get the bung out without drilling .... they've never failed me ... extractors that go OVER the head ... you pound them down as you tried but a made to 'cut in'. These are made by IRWIN and I got them at an auto-part store (many years ago)
![Name: 100_0006.jpg
Views: 24
Size: 145.7 KB](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/attachments/stock-problems-issues/141510d1501200938-another-botched-oil-change-thread-100_0006.jpg)
I STRONGLY recommend using a Fumoto in the future and never worry about a stuck bung again .... IMO it is the integrated plastic seal that causes the trouble .... https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/
![Name: 100_0010.jpg
Views: 27
Size: 50.5 KB](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/attachments/stock-problems-issues/141509d1501200938-another-botched-oil-change-thread-100_0010.jpg)
I didn't learn this until I mangled a couple ....
You should be able to find these and get the bung out without drilling .... they've never failed me ... extractors that go OVER the head ... you pound them down as you tried but a made to 'cut in'. These are made by IRWIN and I got them at an auto-part store (many years ago)
![Name: 100_0006.jpg
Views: 24
Size: 145.7 KB](https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/attachments/stock-problems-issues/141510d1501200938-another-botched-oil-change-thread-100_0006.jpg)
I STRONGLY recommend using a Fumoto in the future and never worry about a stuck bung again .... IMO it is the integrated plastic seal that causes the trouble .... https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/
#4
I rounded one off on my first oil change too. I ended up taking it to a local muffler shop. For $20 they welded a nut onto the oil plug. Between the good surface of the nut and the heat of the welding torch, it loosened no problems. I would go ahead and order a replacement plug or two(probably cheaper to pay shipping than go to the dealer) and then do that.
I have a topsider oil vac and it works ok, I found that it leaves about a half quart in the pan, so not ideal, but it does work. I prefer to change the oil the old fashioned way, especially since it's a once a year deal normally.
I have a topsider oil vac and it works ok, I found that it leaves about a half quart in the pan, so not ideal, but it does work. I prefer to change the oil the old fashioned way, especially since it's a once a year deal normally.
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Same happened to me. Such an easy job turned into a 2 hour nightmare. However, went to my local Autozone and picked up Vice Grips. They had a pair that you can use the ratchet to tighten the vicegrips once it's on the bolt. I tightened the $h!t out of the vicegrip!! Breaker bar, deep breath, pulllllllllll!!! Pop, open the beer poured a little on the cut I got on my hand and then celebrated the bolt coming off!!!
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I had to use a extractor, identical to what bj posted:
![](http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/Capt_bj/mini/100_0006.jpg)
I STRONGLY recommend using a Fumoto in the future and never worry about a stuck bung again .... IMO it is the integrated plastic seal that causes the trouble .... https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/
Also went to the FUMOTO valve (same as seen in photo AoxoMoxamooa posted). Fumotos are the way to go; the drain plugs on the MINIs tend to lock onto the oil pan, and the hex is soft. The drain plugs on these cars are not meant to be reused.
![](http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff85/Capt_bj/mini/100_0006.jpg)
I STRONGLY recommend using a Fumoto in the future and never worry about a stuck bung again .... IMO it is the integrated plastic seal that causes the trouble .... https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/
Also went to the FUMOTO valve (same as seen in photo AoxoMoxamooa posted). Fumotos are the way to go; the drain plugs on the MINIs tend to lock onto the oil pan, and the hex is soft. The drain plugs on these cars are not meant to be reused.
#16
I have Fumotos on all my autos
for the record, there are cases where the Fumoto is a bad idea ....
GEN2 MINI is one .... the drain faces straight down and the plug is a recessed one that results in a flush fit. A Fumoto would stick straight down from the pan just BEGGING to get hit and wiped off. Fortunately the GEN2 also stopped using an integrated plastic seal and uses a common copper crush washer. I've not seen a single complaint of a stuck bung on a GEN2 or later MINI.
for the record, there are cases where the Fumoto is a bad idea ....
GEN2 MINI is one .... the drain faces straight down and the plug is a recessed one that results in a flush fit. A Fumoto would stick straight down from the pan just BEGGING to get hit and wiped off. Fortunately the GEN2 also stopped using an integrated plastic seal and uses a common copper crush washer. I've not seen a single complaint of a stuck bung on a GEN2 or later MINI.