so changed the oil today. backed the bolt out to drain. came out just fine no problems. went to put it back in and it threaded in fine. got it about halfway or so then started needing to use the ratchet. but it doesnt get to a point where its snug, it'll tighten up, then just loosen up and spin freely again. i have no clue how it happened. it leaks just a tiny bit. like a drop or two in a few hours. but this will bother me. what can i do?

 

They sell single oversize drain pugs, Ive never used one but i sell a lot of them at work.

 

ever heard of any problems with them?

 

No ive never had any one bring them back or anything.

 

i might look into this, i just dont want to have to drain all my oil again. for now i might back it out a tiny bit and put some teflon tape on it maybe. then put in an oversize plug next time i change the oil

 

Should have stopped when it got difficult to spin with your fingers. Reminds me of the horror stories I've heard from those quick oil change places (i.e. Oil Changers). Nothing like removing and retightning an oil plug with an impact....LOL retards!!!

You'll have to rethread the oil pan hole and use an oversize plug.

 

it always gets tough about halfway in. never had a problem before. either way earlier i put some white cardboard under the truck to check after i messed with it a bit and it hasn't leaked since. so i should be okay for now.

 

Yep look for a single oversize plug. It is notched to cut threads like a self-tapping screw.

 

im assuming they are sold at my local vatozone?

 

Yep, should be able to find them there. Don't quote me on it but I think the original plug is an M12? Metric oversized plugs are a little more difficult to find than a 1/2-20 one but they're definitely out there. If it is an M12 you may even be able to get away with a 1/2 single or even a double oversize plug.

 

These By far work the best out of anything ive used.. No leaks what so ever, and you can even use a factory size drain plug

Timesert

 

Eh. Just weld the old plug in the whole. Its not like you need to change your oil for another 100k or so. lol

Have you tried just getting a new plug and just seeing if it will screw back in? You may just need a plug.

 

How does it get tight when you screw it in with your fingers? Mine has always spun freely until it tightened up against the pan.

On a side note, are there really that many people that screw up the drain bolt?

 

does it just spin with the ractchet on there or does it get tight and then lose over and over. if it just spins there is a good chance the nut broke off inside the oil pan. try unscrewing the bolt and look at the threads and see what they look like

 

When i worked at a dealer you would be surprised how many cars have messed up drain plugs... Many of which have aluminum pans. and alot have the bolt rounded off. 99% of the time they were screwed up at some kind of quick lube place (ie. Jiffy lube, Wal-Mart, ect....)

 

every one thinks they need to be super tight thats why they get striped. i had mine cross threaded screwing it in. i relized it 1.5turns in well wen i went to unscrew it the nut broke off made my day even worse

 

what about getting one of these QuickOilDrainValve.com - the best way to change oil get it alittle over sized then drill and tap it out and you will never have to worry about it again im thinking about getting one for my truck that way i wont have to worry about tools when i change my oil just crawl under and change it

 

Apparently...

The last Ranger I had, I had to put vise-grips on the rounded off bolt and use a hammer to get the drain bolt out.

 

What is Ford putting these on? Neat idea regardless, never thought of that before.

 

that is very very tempting to get. even if the threads in the pan are stripped im sure thats nothing some locktite wouldnt fix.. then have one of these little valves on it and viola!

 

I'm getting one of those little valves for all my cars tomorrow. Payday baby!

 

ive been looking at them for awhile i just havnt gotten around to it if you guys get them let me know how it works out im looking at the one with the nipple so i can pop a hose on it and run it straight to the drain pan infact with a long enough hose the pan wouldnt even need to be under the truck

just searched the web a bit they are made by fumoto so you can search abit before you buy might save a buck or two also great if you want to do a oil analysis

 

Or you could just drain it straight into the old oil jugs, thats what i do normally anyway from the pan. I'll post up a full review when I get them.

Edit: Guess I have to wait until I change my oil next actually lol

 

are you getting number 2 on the list?

QuickOilDrainValve.com - the best way to change oil

 

I bet you could use some JB Weld putty or QuikSteel and one of those drain valves with the stock thread pitch and epoxy it in there with that. A lot of people fix oil pans with JB Weld and don't have problems. Personally I would just buy a new oil pan but I'm not sure how hard it is to change out for you.