Hi guys, I wanted to get your current wisdom on this question.

My 04 TL currently has a 14mm double-oversize drain plug that leaks and I need to fix it.

I would like to go to a Fumoto valve but my problem is I'm not starting with 14X1.5mm threads in the first place. I don't know how large the double-oversize threads are to be able to evaluate if I could even heli-coil back down to 14X1.5. Anybody have any experience with this? For those of you that have heli-coiled this without removing the oil pan, have you been successful? I'm worried about my ability to drill a straight hole while lying on my back (without a lift).

Let me know what you guys recommend for going from a huge oversize plug back to the stock threads.

Another side question - on the Fumoto valves, does the valve handle lock in place with the valve in the closed position? I would think that would be important.

Thanks guys.

 

Yes of course it's locked in the close position

Is replacing the whole pan not an option you're wanting to pursue?

 

I just thought I'd there's a way to avoid the time or money of dropping the oil pan then I would.

 

It ended up that it's just that the gasket has been reused too many times. I removed the oversize drain plug, took it to the auto parts store, found a good matching size copper gasket, and no leaks. I also did install the ezdrainvalve.net valve. But that took some custom "machining" of the oversize drain plug to be able to thread the valve on to it. I ended up buying a 1/4"NPT valve because I had more confidence in my ability to tap a pipe thread that would seal than a straight thread that would seal - just because I wouldn't have good control over the perpendicularity of the hole to the plug surface. Anyways, drain plug gasket had been yielded too many times. Got a new one. Problem solved. Also installed a valve so I should never have to touch this again.