Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help!!

[DPike]

While changing the oil in Dad's 2001 that we just got, I was torquing the drain plug to 44 ft lbs (with an accurate torque wrench), and it stripped. The sealing shoulder broke off the plug, and it was concave like it had been really overtightened in the past. Now I can't turn the rest of the plug out of the oil pan, and we don't dare run the truck? Does the oil pan have to be replaced, and does the motor have to be lifted to clear the axle to do this? Is there another better way to fix it? Thanks!

 

[lumberjack98]

what part stripped? it sounds like the bolt sheared in two and left the threaded portion in the pan. If so i would get a ez out and try to remove the part left in the pan and hopefully the threads on the bolt are whats messed up. hope this helps

 

[DPike]

Thank you for the reply. I rechecked it tonight, and I think it will unscrew, so hopefully the threads in the pan aren't stripped. Maybe we will get by with just a new drain plug. Thanks again

 

[johncameron]

hopefully it all turns out ok. I got an EZ out kit for christams and havn't had the chance to try it!



Keep us posted.



John

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Don't freak out, this has happened to quite a few people. You can get a new plug and gasket for around $20 from the dealer, if my memory is correct.



Dan

 

[SnoKing]

Geno's has a heavy duty plug that has a thicker flange. SNOKING

 

[JKinney]

Please correct me if Im wrong, I thought I read on here to just snug the plug easily, and If you dont it will start to weep. Ive done quite a few oil changes on mine and I do not believe I ever reached 45 foot lbs on the plug.

 

[Grizzly]

While changing the oil in Dad's 2001 that we just got, I was torquing the drain plug to 44 ft lbs (with an accurate torque wrench), and it stripped. The sealing shoulder broke off the plug, and it was concave like it had been really overtightened in the past. Now I can't turn the rest of the plug out of the oil pan, and we don't dare run the truck? Does the oil pan have to be replaced, and does the motor have to be lifted to clear the axle to do this? Is there another better way to fix it? Thanks!

I never use a torque wrench to tighten my drain plug. I just put it in and snug it down. If it should leak, it never has, I'll tighten it a tad more. I learned that the hard way. When changing the oil for the very first time on my first car, 58 Chevy, I stripped the drain plug. I was told to get an oversized, self tapping plug. It worked fine for the next 9 years when I sold the car. I have never over tighten a drain plug again.

 

[Rman]

The torque spec on my 2002 is 39 ft lbs. Generally I do it by hand but hae used my trusty torque wrench a couple times. I replaced my drain plug with the heavy shouldered magnetic one from geno's.

 

[DPike]

Thanks for all the help guys. We got a new oem plug from NAPA, and it screwed right in. The threads in the pan are fine, but we will be getting a couple of the thick shouldered magnetic plugs from Geno's. Thanks again!