stripped oil drain plug 1994 850 turbo

margaretdelia · Post by **margaretdelia** » 11 Oct 2008, 01:05

I decided to change the oil and filter today. After taking the beast for a spin to warm it up, I drove it up onto ramps, then with ring spanner in hand crawled under it and noticed that the head on the drain plug was badly stripped. There was no way I could undo it, as I couldn't get a good hold of it and it only seemed to strip it more. I only bought the car a few months ago, so it must have been damaged by the previous owner. Hence why the service records state the oil was last changed two years ago. "What to do."
Any help greatly appreciated.

Post by **Zimbo** » 11 Oct 2008, 06:31

Did you try to grab hold of it with a good pair of vise-grips?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 11 Oct 2008, 06:45

I would forgo the vice grips (you just won't be able to grip the head of the bolt good enough if it is truly rounded). I have been in the same predicament before myself- one reason I refuse to let anyone else change my oil in our Volvo's now (no Walmart, No Jiffylube). Use a pipe wrench and get it's teeth to dig into the head of that bolt...it will come out. Don't worry about rounding it further- your goal here is to just get that damn bolt out. In the meantime, order a replacement from www.fcpgroton.com that is magnetic. They're cheap and well worth it. When you reinstall the bolt, make sure you use an aluminum crush washer and tighten only enough to crush the washer.

Post by **Zimbo** » 11 Oct 2008, 07:14

My drain plug is also rounded to the point that I'm planning on replacing it next oil change. I remember someone at some point discussing replacing drain plugs with a plug that has a valve.
Kind of like: http://www.qwikvalve.com/index.html
Any experience with this?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 11 Oct 2008, 07:59

Yes, the Fumoto valve seems to be a nice way to go...I've just never used them as our oil pan openings are recessed so you'll have to use an adapter and I've feared that due to the extended length, it if were to catch on something or something hit it, you could spill your oil while driving (I may be wrong about my fears). Besides, it's really not that much more inconvenient to just undo the bolt for your oil changes...plus you would have to buy a ton of aluminum crush washers for the price of the fumoto. However, if anyone has gone the Fumoto route, please let us know what your experience is with it.

JFO · Post by **JFO** » 11 Oct 2008, 12:02

I've used the Fumoto for about 2 years and really like it. True, you can buy a lot of washers for the price, but I like the convenience. The small nipple required for Volvo does not extend the valve below the pan and there is no risk of snagging it.

Jim

margaretdelia · Post by **margaretdelia** » 11 Oct 2008, 12:09

Thanks for the reply.

I sprayed on some WD40, left it for a while and tried with one of those tools with sharp teeth that are supposed to fit any size bolt. Not sure what you call it over there. But the plug seems to be on so tight, that I'm just chewing it up even more. I even filed down two sides of the plug to get a better grip, but it still didn't budge.Hope this isn't a stupid question, but to loosen the plug I've been applying pressure anti-clockwise is that correct?

Thanks.

Post by **Zimbo** » 11 Oct 2008, 14:44

Hi Margie,
Counterclockwise as you look at the bolt is correct. The trick I taught both my daughters is turn to the right to make it tight, turn to the left to make it loose.
Righty-tighty.
Lefty-loosey.
What's a dad to do

It sounds like you've to a real problem on your hands. If you can find a pipe wrench that should do the trick as the wrench is designed to tighten down on the object when pressure is applied.

Post by **tailor** » 11 Oct 2008, 17:50

I recall reading about a forum member who welded a bigger nut onto the existing damaged nut. This gave a better purchase(grip) with a good and correctly sized socket.
I am afraid I cannot find the post, but this may be your solution.

895meztz94 · Post by **895meztz94** » 11 Oct 2008, 19:48

This is one of those problems I would just let my mechanic deal with.