oil drain plug

[Doug Engel]

Rob,
Been there, I feel for ya buddy. I have had the best luck in these
situations with a liberal application of HEAT! The drain pulg in the Dodge
Cummins pickups is very similar in construction and tendency to get stuck and
strip out. Put whatever tool you have that works teh best in place (or get it
ready to put in place) and then heat the devil out of the plug. I don't think a
propane torch will apply enough heat, but a Mapp gas torch, acetylene gas
plumbers torch of oxy/ act rig will do the trick. Get it as hot as you can,
hopefully nearly red, then ease the plug out about half way. Leave it in a few
threads and have a squirt bottle handy to gradually cool the pan off.Once cool,
take the plug out the rest of the way.
I know I'll probably get some flack for suggesting this approach, but if you
do it carefully, the risk of fire is very minimal, but have your fire
extinguisher handy. Leaving the plug in until the pan cools keep the oil from
gushing out and possibly reaching oxygen and a pan that could be at flash point
(but VERY unlikely), the oil in the pan serves as a very efficent heat sink Be
careful, use the oxy/act rig if you have one, and let us know.
( this may sound hillbillyeske, but it has worked for me many times)
Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO, '81FC35

aokkoa2003 wrote:
hello y'all:
I've messed up my oil drain plug.. It's a 3/8 female square hole. I
wallowed it out.
Here's what I've tried so far:
. Made tool (bigger square) Failed.
Drove cold chisel in to hole corner to corner. Failed
Went to town and purchased large easy-out. started to drill
pilot hole to drain old oil and to help when drilling 1/2" hole for
easy-out. failed.. It drilled ok for bit and then stopped cutting. I
am guessing that there is a hard steel magnet on top of the plug
preventing me from drilling.
Other than welding a nut on the plug, or replacing the oil pan, can
anyone offer a remedy? This has not been my best day....
Rob Sargent
85pt36 6v92






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