Stripped Engine Oil Drain Plug
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: SC
Stripped Engine Oil Drain Plug
Has anyone had a problem with the oil pan stripping out just from having the oil changed 35 times. My lexus mechanic says that is the problem. I had my oil changed yesterday (175,000 miles) and the mechanic came in and told me that the pan stripped out while placing the plug back in. He said that Lexus will do that if at some point someone overtightned it and since he has only changed it the last three times, he did not feel responsible. Wants me to pay $500.00 to replace.
Is this something that I should be responsible for?
Thanks in advance.
Golfman8
Is this something that I should be responsible for?
Thanks in advance.
Golfman8
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
That is bull... he stripped it, he's responsible. Doesn't matter how many times it's been changed. Mechanics have a tendancy to want to put as much torque into that plug as possible. It only needs to be tight, not gorilla tightened on.
Even if the "previous" mechanics had overtightened it, he was final one that messed it up so it's his fault. So what, if there is a chip on the window that isn't spreading, but somehow he drops a ratchet lets say on the windshield and cracks it, he's not responsible because the windshield was old and it had a chip already?
Also, where is the $500 coming from? He's replacing the engine? The pan alone is maybe $200 tops.
Perhaps you can have a larger bolt tapped and installed, instead of replacing the pan. Also, if nothing else, dealer should be paying for the labor and you perhaps the part. This is baloney and you need to dispute this.
Even if the "previous" mechanics had overtightened it, he was final one that messed it up so it's his fault. So what, if there is a chip on the window that isn't spreading, but somehow he drops a ratchet lets say on the windshield and cracks it, he's not responsible because the windshield was old and it had a chip already?
Also, where is the $500 coming from? He's replacing the engine? The pan alone is maybe $200 tops.
Perhaps you can have a larger bolt tapped and installed, instead of replacing the pan. Also, if nothing else, dealer should be paying for the labor and you perhaps the part. This is baloney and you need to dispute this.
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 86
Likes: 4
From: Crystal Bay, NV
Typical stealership! You're getting robbed by going to the stealerships for anything. Like said above the oil pan bolt only needs to be tight, wasn't leaking before they touched it leaking now equals 100% their fault and liability.
But instead of letting those crooks touch your car again, take it to a local small mechanic and have them replace the stripped out oil pan bolt with a quick valve oil change system. These are really inexpensive and easy to install. If you have a local harborfreight tools near you even better, no more stripped out oil pans:
http://www.harborfreight.com/quick-v...tem-94879.html
But instead of letting those crooks touch your car again, take it to a local small mechanic and have them replace the stripped out oil pan bolt with a quick valve oil change system. These are really inexpensive and easy to install. If you have a local harborfreight tools near you even better, no more stripped out oil pans:
http://www.harborfreight.com/quick-v...tem-94879.html
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,724
Likes: 114
From: NJ
I DON'T recommend getting a quick valve that's going too far.
Your dealership is lying to you. They should replace it free of charge, which they likely won't do... Take it to an independent mechanic and see what they say, it's probably just the bolt that's stripped but it's possible the dealership messed it up even more on purpose and ruined the pan as well.
Is there oil leaking from the car right now?
Your dealership is lying to you. They should replace it free of charge, which they likely won't do... Take it to an independent mechanic and see what they say, it's probably just the bolt that's stripped but it's possible the dealership messed it up even more on purpose and ruined the pan as well.
Is there oil leaking from the car right now?
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Why go to a local shop.. that's letting the dealership off the hook. You go back, demand that they fix it however they wish, as their cost... or you report this to corporate. That will make them comply very fast.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,592
Likes: 1,399
From: Austin, TX
That is bull... he stripped it, he's responsible. Doesn't matter how many times it's been changed. Mechanics have a tendancy to want to put as much torque into that plug as possible. It only needs to be tight, not gorilla tightened on.
Even if the "previous" mechanics had overtightened it, he was final one that messed it up so it's his fault. So what, if there is a chip on the window that isn't spreading, but somehow he drops a ratchet lets say on the windshield and cracks it, he's not responsible because the windshield was old and it had a chip already?
Also, where is the $500 coming from? He's replacing the engine? The pan alone is maybe $200 tops.
Perhaps you can have a larger bolt tapped and installed, instead of replacing the pan. Also, if nothing else, dealer should be paying for the labor and you perhaps the part. This is baloney and you need to dispute this.
Even if the "previous" mechanics had overtightened it, he was final one that messed it up so it's his fault. So what, if there is a chip on the window that isn't spreading, but somehow he drops a ratchet lets say on the windshield and cracks it, he's not responsible because the windshield was old and it had a chip already?
Also, where is the $500 coming from? He's replacing the engine? The pan alone is maybe $200 tops.
Perhaps you can have a larger bolt tapped and installed, instead of replacing the pan. Also, if nothing else, dealer should be paying for the labor and you perhaps the part. This is baloney and you need to dispute this.
Most likely the threads on the pan are messed up. The bolt is relatively harder material.
Here are couple of options:
With the pan on:
A grease loaded tap is used to cut threads and trap cuttings. Pretty straight forwards. I would still dump a qt of oil and let it drain out to flow out the left over cuttings. An oversized crush washer would be needed on every oil change.
Better is to remove the pan:
Cut the threads and rinse the pan and install. Labor and parts (pan gasket) makes it costlier.
Replace pan: most expensive but you are as good as new.
If retap, make sure they use the bolt of the same length.
Salim
Last edited by salimshah; Jan 13, 2011 at 08:40 AM.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
For those of us who do our own service, the Fumoto drain valve makes oil changes a real breeze. For those who have service at a shop, it prevents "Corky" from stripping the threads (happened on my 300E before I did my own service). I have used the Fumoto valve on all of my cars for the last 5 years and it is superb.
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
With the MB- several different places did oil changes and I had no idea who did the damage. Corky does not use a torque wrench on the pan bolt nor does he on lug nuts. Warped brakes and premature wear, broken wheels, and worn out wheel bearings result in lug nuts that are supposed to be torqued to 90 that have been slammed to 250. You'll never be able to change a flat either- I bent a lug wrench jumping on it with a torque extender. Local TV did a story at the mall and randomly asked 10 people to loosen their lug nuts and none could do it. Whenever I get service that requires wheel removal, I tell them to torque it to spec and I check with my torque wrench. Wal-Mart is the only company I have come across to specify and put on your paper work the wheel torque they used (without me having to tell them). Most service guys act as If I am speaking Greek when I mention lug nut torque.
http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/
With the MB- several different places did oil changes and I had no idea who did the damage. Corky does not use a torque wrench on the pan bolt nor does he on lug nuts. Warped brakes and premature wear, broken wheels, and worn out wheel bearings result in lug nuts that are supposed to be torqued to 90 that have been slammed to 250. You'll never be able to change a flat either- I bent a lug wrench jumping on it with a torque extender. Local TV did a story at the mall and randomly asked 10 people to loosen their lug nuts and none could do it. Whenever I get service that requires wheel removal, I tell them to torque it to spec and I check with my torque wrench. Wal-Mart is the only company I have come across to specify and put on your paper work the wheel torque they used (without me having to tell them). Most service guys act as If I am speaking Greek when I mention lug nut torque.
Last edited by IIKings920; Jan 12, 2011 at 08:33 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 27
From: NSW
The fact the price is $500 proves your getting robbed call your local consumer affairs or your local equivalent of the Motor trades association worst case wander into the show room and burn some sales well i don't actually recommend that but would be a laugh. I would think they should tap it out and put a larger plug in free at the very least.
If they scratch a panel that has rust or a ding in it should they not worry about it?
If they scratch a panel that has rust or a ding in it should they not worry about it?
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