stripped oil drain plug 1994 850 turbo

margaretdelia · Post by **margaretdelia** » 12 Oct 2008, 00:34

Hello and thanks again.

I went to the hardware store to purchase a pipe wrench, and the assistant handed me the same tool I was already using. So I bought a good pair of lockable vise-grips and gave them a go, to no avail. I may now have to take the car to a mechanic and try what tailor suggested. (welding a nut to the plug) If that doesn't work, would the worst case scenario be replacing the sump, and If so, are we talking big bucks?

Thanks.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 12 Oct 2008, 06:47

High dollar if you buy a new one...
Oil pan from a junk yard or another enthusiast should not cost you much. I would still try to get that bolt out. I wish you were close to me. I would help you get it out- I've been in the same predicament before. I would try the pipe wrench again and a hammer to hit the end of the pipe wrench, once its teeth were well entrenched on the end of the bolt.

margaretdelia · Post by **margaretdelia** » 12 Oct 2008, 17:02

Hey MIJ if you fly to Tullamarine airport Melbourne, I'll pick you up. You fix the car, you'll be back home by Friday.

I'm taking your advice and driving to the hardware store to purchase a smaller pipe wrench, and I'll give it one more try. As I'm working a nine day shift starting from this afternoon, I may not be able to give it a go until next week. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again tor your advice.

dasapir · Post by **dasapir** » 16 Oct 2008, 19:30

I, too, was in the same predicament when a mechanic did not replace a 10 cent washer on the drain plug. After stripping the bolt I filled the head and used a 6-point 1/2" drive socket and a long pipe attached to the end for leverage. I could not get it to stay on when levering the pipe extension so I
then went to a pipe wrench with the long pipe. I put gentle hard pressure on it by stepping on it. The car was up on ramps and the long pipe extended past the out side of the car on the driver's side. Lots of liquid wrench and it worked. Now I have the Fumoto valve which has been wonderful. No problems with the extension.

Hope this is an idea which may work for you.

db130 · Post by **db130** » 17 Oct 2008, 11:16

have you tried to heat up the head of the drain plug with a handheld mapp gas torch, and then using one of these bolt extractors:

http://www.uktools.com/images/js/big/IRBG.jpg

the idea is to get the head of the plug to expand with the heat, thus giving more surface area to the bolt extractor to grip on. you'd want to work fast as the head of the bolt will shrink as it cools down. i had to do this for a stubborn sway bar-to-frame bolt recently. i could not get the extractor to "bite" on the cold bolt head, but it gripped on the heated bolt head.

Vernh59 · Post by **Vernh59** » 17 Oct 2008, 18:49

I had the same problem with my S-70. After using everything I had to loosen the bolt without succes, and making the matter worse, I took the oil, filter, new drain plug and car to a local shop. They apparently had seen this before because the mechanic had it out in about 2 minutes. He changed the oil and filter for me- 10 bucks. I should have taken it to them when I saw the drain plug the first time.

Vern

hrm · Post by **hrm** » 18 Oct 2008, 07:16

tailor wrote: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.

that was me. I don't get a chance to hang out on here very often but just so happened by this morning while this post was on the first page. Here's my original post. The weld was ugly as can be, but worked like a champ. I tried the heat method also suggested here and wasn't able to get anywhere. the bolt was just too soft and any time I would try to turn it, it would round the head off.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... highlight=

margaretdelia · Post by **margaretdelia** » 22 Oct 2008, 09:03

I finally got the plug out today. After trying again with a smaller pipe wrench and a power wrench, with no luck, I gave up. My friend Alf who used to be a boiler maker, came over for a visit. I mentioned to him, that I was going to take the car to a mechanic and see if he could weld a nut onto the plug, to try and get it out. Alf said he'd give it a go with the pipe wrench first, and if he couldn't get the plug loose, nobody could. After ten minutes and a big bruise on his forehead, he'd had enough. He said "don't go anywhere" and left. A short time later he returned with THE WELDER. He welded a 17mm nut to the plug, and within 20 seconds, and to my relief had the plug loose. I think for a stubborn plug like I had, welding a nut to it was the best option.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Oct 2008, 14:01

Wow....unbelievable!
Now, make sure and use a aluminum crush washer and only tighten (I know this is the fault of the P.O. and not you) only enough to crush the washer and keep the pan from leaking.
Glad you got it off! Kudo's to your friend! Btw, if I may ask, how did he get a big bruise on his forehead?
MIJ

margaretdelia · Post by **margaretdelia** » 23 Oct 2008, 07:38

I don't know why Alf, being a big solid person and working in a confined space, decided to head butt one of my car ramps. I actually heard the thud, followed by a few choice words. ( the naughty boy) It's not funny.

Anyway after Alf got the plug loose, I gave him a slab of VB beer for his trouble. Having a good sense of humour, he was soon laughing about it.