Stripped ATF plug
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Stripped ATF plug
I was draining my ATF fluid today and proceeded to re-insert the drain plug with my torque wrench set at 15 lb/ft. I kept turning since I didn't hear the clicking noise indicating it had reached 15 lb/ft; it suddenly went from tight to loose. CRAP! 
Does anyone know what my options are? Do I need a new plug or a new pan?
Does anyone know what my options are? Do I need a new plug or a new pan?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Inspect the threads on both the plug and the pan to see where the actual damage is. Hopefully it's just the plug. (They usually use softer metal to make the plug.) In the meantime, you can try duck tape to tape it shut. There's no pressure in the ATF fluid so it should hold.
Did you drop the torque wrench on the ground? It may be damaged and needs re-calibration if so.
Did you drop the torque wrench on the ground? It may be damaged and needs re-calibration if so.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Thanks for the responses. Looks like the worst case scenario came through and now I have a replacement pan on order from Carson Toyota.
Apparently my torque wrench is messed up. I put on the TRD front lower brace and when I went back to put the ATF plug back in, the torque wrench must not have re-adjusted to the lower setting. Thank God it didn't happen while putting in spark plugs.
Apparently my torque wrench is messed up. I put on the TRD front lower brace and when I went back to put the ATF plug back in, the torque wrench must not have re-adjusted to the lower setting. Thank God it didn't happen while putting in spark plugs.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 17
From: Orange County, California
How DO you recalibrate, anyway?
It's a little late now, but you could have just removed the pan, drilled out the stripped hole to a larger size, tapped it , and installed a larger threaded plug.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 6
From: Colorado
Only certain shops can re-calibrate torque wrenches. In his case, I guess he forgot to change the settings.
Maybe so with larger hole, but unless he's got the right drill and stuff, he's better off with a new pan and plug.
Maybe so with larger hole, but unless he's got the right drill and stuff, he's better off with a new pan and plug.
Last edited by HarrierAWD; Apr 11, 2005 at 10:07 PM.
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Driver
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 107
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From: Massachusetts
Even if you drill and and re-tap, I would still drop the pan anyways since there might be stuff left in the pan from drilling. So it seems the pan replacements the way to go anyways.
PS... When you replace the gasket, do you have to put some adhesive on or does the gasket seal itself without adhesives from the proper torqueing of the bolts? (I guess I should look in the shop manual)
PS... When you replace the gasket, do you have to put some adhesive on or does the gasket seal itself without adhesives from the proper torqueing of the bolts? (I guess I should look in the shop manual)
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
I asked about the gasket when ordering the parts from Carson Toyota. Apparently the GS uses a sealant in lieu of a rubber gasket. When the mechanic dropped the pan, you could see stuff that looked like caulk lining the rim of the pan.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 17
From: Orange County, California
Originally Posted by pkchin
Even if you drill and and re-tap, I would still drop the pan anyways since there might be stuff left in the pan from drilling. So it seems the pan replacements the way to go anyways.
And again, of course buying a new one solves the problem. That solves almost any problem- all it takes is money. Speaking of which, how much is that pan going to cost?
It's too late for cal_alum, but my point in mentioning all this is that the pan is repairable, in case someone else with the same problem comes across this thread in the future.
Driver
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: California
For those who run into this problem later, try to find a drain plug thats just a bit larger in diameter.
Its very possible that you wont create metal shavings inside the pan. I've stripped enough bolts and scews during my construction projects. Most of the time, the shavings will come out towards you.
Another way to fix it if you want to salvage the pan is using a crush washer on the inside of the pan along with a nut. You might have to get a longer bolt to get the nut on. Of course you would have to drop the pan for this one.
I've also seen universal rubber plugs that were used in the oil pan. Will probably work for the ATF.
The last resort I can think of, used only in dire emergencies, is to get a piece of metal to cover the drain and RTV it shut. For a quick emergency fix you can put the plug back in snugly and put sealant all around the head of the bolt, it should cure in a few hours.
Its very possible that you wont create metal shavings inside the pan. I've stripped enough bolts and scews during my construction projects. Most of the time, the shavings will come out towards you.
Another way to fix it if you want to salvage the pan is using a crush washer on the inside of the pan along with a nut. You might have to get a longer bolt to get the nut on. Of course you would have to drop the pan for this one.
I've also seen universal rubber plugs that were used in the oil pan. Will probably work for the ATF.
The last resort I can think of, used only in dire emergencies, is to get a piece of metal to cover the drain and RTV it shut. For a quick emergency fix you can put the plug back in snugly and put sealant all around the head of the bolt, it should cure in a few hours.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 553
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by yoji6365
Another way to fix it if you want to salvage the pan is using a crush washer on the inside of the pan along with a nut. You might have to get a longer bolt to get the nut on. Of course you would have to drop the pan for this one.