Oil drain plug is REALLY hard to loosen
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Oil drain plug is REALLY hard to loosen
Apparently, it's my day for problems. I'm trying to change my oil on my '01 CL-S. Due to my schedule, I took it to the normal place I use locally (Honda/Acura specialty shop) the last time it needed an oil change, but this time, I figured I would do my own.
Everyone's suggestions were right on the money -- everything I need to reach is easy to access, even without the car being jacked up. The only issue I'm having is with the drain plug. Apparently, the Acura specialty shop I took it to does not believe in the 33lb torque specs, because the oil plug is really tight.
I know the oil pan is aluminum, and I want to make sure I don't strip it. I can get the 17mm socket on, and am using a standard handle Craftsman socket wrench. I'm 235 lbs, and built like a linebacker, so strength isn't the issue....even drank a protein shake before trying this....lol. And yes, I even checked to make sure the socket was set to loosen instead of tighten.
Is it possible to damage the oil pan when loosening the plug? I don't think I should need a pry bar to loosen this thing, but it sure isn't coming loose very easily.
Everyone's suggestions were right on the money -- everything I need to reach is easy to access, even without the car being jacked up. The only issue I'm having is with the drain plug. Apparently, the Acura specialty shop I took it to does not believe in the 33lb torque specs, because the oil plug is really tight.
I know the oil pan is aluminum, and I want to make sure I don't strip it. I can get the 17mm socket on, and am using a standard handle Craftsman socket wrench. I'm 235 lbs, and built like a linebacker, so strength isn't the issue....even drank a protein shake before trying this....lol. And yes, I even checked to make sure the socket was set to loosen instead of tighten.
Is it possible to damage the oil pan when loosening the plug? I don't think I should need a pry bar to loosen this thing, but it sure isn't coming loose very easily.
#3
Advanced
Thread Starter
I'm wondering what my Acura specialty shop did, because there is no way they hand-tightened this thing. I hand-tighten and then slightly torque the drain plug on my Suburban, and have never needed this much force to loosen it.
Would it make a difference if I sprayed the plug with a little WD-40?
#6
2003 CL
Same thing here
Apparently, it's my day for problems. I'm trying to change my oil on my '01 CL-S. Due to my schedule, I took it to the normal place I use locally (Honda/Acura specialty shop) the last time it needed an oil change, but this time, I figured I would do my own.
Everyone's suggestions were right on the money -- everything I need to reach is easy to access, even without the car being jacked up. The only issue I'm having is with the drain plug. Apparently, the Acura specialty shop I took it to does not believe in the 33lb torque specs, because the oil plug is really tight.
I know the oil pan is aluminum, and I want to make sure I don't strip it. I can get the 17mm socket on, and am using a standard handle Craftsman socket wrench. I'm 235 lbs, and built like a linebacker, so strength isn't the issue....even drank a protein shake before trying this....lol. And yes, I even checked to make sure the socket was set to loosen instead of tighten.
Is it possible to damage the oil pan when loosening the plug? I don't think I should need a pry bar to loosen this thing, but it sure isn't coming loose very easily.
Everyone's suggestions were right on the money -- everything I need to reach is easy to access, even without the car being jacked up. The only issue I'm having is with the drain plug. Apparently, the Acura specialty shop I took it to does not believe in the 33lb torque specs, because the oil plug is really tight.
I know the oil pan is aluminum, and I want to make sure I don't strip it. I can get the 17mm socket on, and am using a standard handle Craftsman socket wrench. I'm 235 lbs, and built like a linebacker, so strength isn't the issue....even drank a protein shake before trying this....lol. And yes, I even checked to make sure the socket was set to loosen instead of tighten.
Is it possible to damage the oil pan when loosening the plug? I don't think I should need a pry bar to loosen this thing, but it sure isn't coming loose very easily.
Last edited by hotclick56; 08-21-2011 at 03:17 PM. Reason: more info
#7
Unregistered Member
iTrader: (2)
STOP!
The damage is done by tightening it. If it is ALREADY that tight, then the damage might already be done! Take it back to the shop, and tell them to change it. Tell them to check if it is stripped, and to make sure to use the correct torque spec.
If you change the oil yourself, then any liability by the shop is gone. Changing the oil pain is expensive, so don't do anything until you make sure the shop didn't strip it.
The damage is done by tightening it. If it is ALREADY that tight, then the damage might already be done! Take it back to the shop, and tell them to change it. Tell them to check if it is stripped, and to make sure to use the correct torque spec.
If you change the oil yourself, then any liability by the shop is gone. Changing the oil pain is expensive, so don't do anything until you make sure the shop didn't strip it.
Trending Topics
#8
Advanced
Thread Starter
Ok.......this one turned out good in the end. I just kept putting firm pressure on it, and it came loose. I think part of the issue is that I don't have as much leverage flat on my back as I would if the car was on a lift and I was standing in front of the plug.
I borrowed a friend's torque wrench and tightened it down to 30lbs, then attempted to loosen the drain plug again (before I put any new oil in, of course). It required a little less force to loosen it this time. I think part of it was I wanted to be extra careful, so I didn't want to force it loose the first time.
Either way, I refilled with 5w-30, checked for leaks at the plugs and filter, and everything was good. No leaks, no drips, and clean oil!
I borrowed a friend's torque wrench and tightened it down to 30lbs, then attempted to loosen the drain plug again (before I put any new oil in, of course). It required a little less force to loosen it this time. I think part of it was I wanted to be extra careful, so I didn't want to force it loose the first time.
Either way, I refilled with 5w-30, checked for leaks at the plugs and filter, and everything was good. No leaks, no drips, and clean oil!
#10
Advanced
Thread Starter
At least at the next oil change, I'll only have myself to blame if I can't get the drain plug loose!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mada51589
3G TL Problems & Fixes
79
05-03-2022 08:54 PM