I'd forego the pipewrench; it didn't work the last time and the more metal you shave off, the smaller extractor socket you'll have to use, which equals less torque. Just get the extractors, pick the right size socket that is going to require it to be hammered on to get a good bite. Seat it as fully as you can, and that will be your best shot at getting the thing off without replacing the pan.

 

I couldn't resist to pull that quote out from a few days before this happened to you...


Anyway, I agree - The more material you take off that nut, the less material the socket extractor will have to bite into also.

I've had some success after stripping some bolts by filing them to get some sort of regular nut shape back to them and then using the socket extractor.

Personally, I don't think dropping the oil pan is a good idea. But if the extractor socket fails, I would try drilling through the drain plug before removing the oil pan itself.... but that is just my opinion.

In a related note, I ran into a similar problem with my oil filter. The guys cranked that bastard down so tight I couldn't get it to budge. Tried hammering, (Couldn't fit a pipe wrench back there, Plus I have the Racing Beat oil pressure spacer which makes it an ever tighter fit.) I tried using a bike chain wrench. nothing.

I just took it back to the place that did the oil change and they got it off somehow, for free.

Last option, take the car to one of those cheap oil change places and see if they can get it off for you. I bet they can, but might charge like 10-20 bucks. I did that when I couldn't get my exhaust bolts to move.

 

Yeah except I do know what im doing as I have done more oil changes than I can think of. The dealership just decided to put 7000 pounds of pressure to tighten it.

 

Bastards! Thats how I felt when those wieners tightened my filter down to the point it wouldn't budge even after concentrated blows from 15lbs of "industrial persuasion"

It might be worth a call to them and just deny that you've touched the bolt... just state that you jacked the car up to your oil change and discovered the stripped drain plug and ask them to pull it off for you and replace... but then your risk the same workmanship in fixing the problem... probably an impact gun with a extractor socket.
If nothing else, its just a phone call.

 

Yeah............reminds me somewhat of having tires changed and they come out with that impact gun to put the wheels back on............."uh.......no.......I don't think so", "get that **** away from my car". I have little doubt(as you probably agree) the little monkey tightened your drain plug with an impact gun.

 

Well, tommorow I am putting my car back up on stands and using that striped bolt remover kit, wish me luck lol.

 

I've got a beer chilling to celebrate your success

 

I would take it back. It's amazing how easy it would probably be to remove when your standing under it instead of laying down. We get people all the tim who come to my work because they cant get plugs or filters loose and 99% of the time it is loosend with the smack of a hand or just a good push.

 

did you get the set from sears? if so, you'l llove it. keep us posted on how it works out for you!

 

Well, today I'm trying this bolt once my oil pan cools down, bought that set from sears

 

Well heres the pictures after a successful extraction, sorry for the shitty quality my main camera is screwed so I had to use my wifes. Click the pictures for a better and bigger picture

 

i would have just taken it back to the dealer for an oil change and let the tech deal with his own stupidity...

 

I didn't want to hear the "oh you did it" story. It's been a few months since then and I'm sure they would try to tell me something stupid and instead of getting a lawyer I just did it myself. Thanks for the idea of getting that kit guys.

 

yikes, that didn't sound like fun.
Glad you were persistent and got the thing out!

 

Of course it's been a few months.. you're due for another oil change. The correct answer is to just go in for an oil change and say nothing. If they say it's stripped, you say: Oh really? Well you guys did my last oil change, so don't look at me. Check your computer records if you want.

No hassles, no problems!

 

Most techs would just look at the history, see they did it last and then just replace it. Might not even say anything to you about it.

 

Exactly.

 

glad you got it out. how'd you like that set of extractors?

 

Worked great, after about 2 minutes I had it off and now at least I got them for future use.

 

glad you're happy with them. as i said before, those little guys have saved the day many of times!

 

Cheers!

 

Karma. It'll get you everytime. Thanks for the post.

 

did you end up replacing the plug?

 

yes I bought a new 17mm plug and gasket.