newperson

iTrader: (2)

Hey I'm in the process of trying to do an oil change but I noticed this yellow hardened goo on the drain plug and the bolt won't come off unless I turn it super hard! I thought the bolt was just supposed to be on there "snuggly" but should I just turn it as much as possible until it's loosened?

I'm putting in 5w-30 synthetic castrol.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

LostSol

The yellow hardened goo is something oil shops use to show that the plug hasnt been loosened in between oil changes in case someone comes in with a complaint. Often times shops are stupid enough to use pneumatic tools and they can strip the plug. Id run to a local car store and pick up a replacement plug and gasket just in case.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Thanks LostSol; so it's safe for me to just turn it hard as heck? I just didn't know if that stuff indicated if there was a leak or the oil pan threads are bad or some other issue.

LostSol

Well theres only one way to get it out and that is to turn like it a s.o.b. However if it gets to the point of being scary tough, you may have a stripped pan and might want to consider taking it to a shop to do it, they may have to rethread your pan. Thats the exact reason why I started changing my oil myself. Stupid oil shops.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

OK, gonna give it a try. Thanks.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Crap this thing is too damn tight...it's not goin anywhere. This sucks...first time I try to do an oil change and this has to happen.

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

what LostSol_FoundTL said in his first post, ive had drain plugs that i had to use a breaker bar to get it off, keep trying to turn it and eventually it will come off, do u have an oil pan plug gasket?

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

are u turing it the right way and have enough leverage?

LostSol

reasonable tapping with a rubber mallet can help as well.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Nope...I just have:
- 16mm ratchet
- 7.5qt oil drain pan
- 5qt 5w-30 castrol synthetic

Thing is, if I do need anything I can run to AutoZone but if so I need to go before they close. Is a oil pan plug gasket something I need?

newperson

iTrader: (2)

I'm turning it to the left...e.g., away from the right wheel. And this is the first time I've used a jack/jackstands (no woodblocks though) so I don't wanna go crazy and have the car fall on me!

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

16mm? honda used 17mm. if the 17 is two big the previous shop that did the oil change might have put in the wrong plug and stripped the pan/plug.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

That's very possible...I read some thread where it said you need a 17mm...so that's what I initially had but was too big for the bolt....which makes me wonder if the plug is actually "glued" to the pan!

I'll try some tapping right now.

LostSol

I think youre turning it the wrong way, if your wrench is pointing down and you are facing the plug, you should be turning the plug towards the right wheel

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

i did a quick drawing

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all the help....I got it off! Just had to turn it as hard as I really could (e.g., disregarding my safety). I was turning it the correct way...just didn't do a good job of describing it correctly (my interpretation of "to the left" meant towards the left-wheel/away from right wheel...but if you think about it, a turning motion actually describes both depending on what point of the circle you're on).

Only bad thing is that I dropped the bolt in the oil drain pan....and now I gotta fish it out when it's done draining.

LostSol

I would still suggest a replacement plug if the wrong one was in there. it should be 17mm

Rajca

iTrader: (8)

make sure that all the threads on teh bolt and the pan are in good condition. dont tighten the hell out of the bolt, just snug

newperson

iTrader: (2)

Yeah probably a good idea to grab a 17mm drain plug when I drop off my oil @ AutoZone...and I'll make sure that it's on there snuggly (w/o leaking).

lol, my first oil change....I know you guys are laughing but hey, everyone has a first time!

LostSol

Not laughing at all. Always better to ask for help then to do it yourself without knowledge. This forum has saved my ass numerous times.

newperson

iTrader: (2)

^ no doubt!