Date:         Mon, 2 Jul 2001 22:41:28 -0700
Reply-To:     Tony <tgerr95@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tony <tgerr95@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: oil plug woes
Comments: To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@enteract.com>
In-Reply-To:  <3B40FE3C.F2E4C184@enteract.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

--- Larry Alofs <lalofs@enteract.com> wrote:
> Tony wrote:
>
> > Actually know that I get a complete look/see it is
> NOT
> > a vanagon 2.1 oil plug - it is an oversize -- and
> it
> > is REALLLY in there - I tried tapping 20 or so
> times -
> > then used a 6 side socket - no go; tried a
> new-style
> > vise-grips (it has a special jaw for grabbing bolt
> > heads/nuts) - same thing - no go.
> >
> > So, I understand from here my alternatives are:
> >
> > 1. leave it in there and drain the oil through the
> oil
> > screen
> >
> >  -- Appreciate directions on how to do that - and
> does
> > it empty all the old oil?
> >
> > 2. Take it to my local vw garage, and have em get
> it
> > out and put in a helicoil (heard this is around
> $80
> > ????)
> >
> > Thanks all,
> >
> > Tony
> >
> > '89 Carat "Agnes"
> > --- Joel Walker <jwalker17@earthlink.net> wrote:
> > > > Havin' trouble opening the oil plug on my 89
> Carat
> > > -
> > > > newly aquired and needs a change...the plug
> won't
> > > > budge - ended up chafing two of the corners on
> the
> > > > bolthead trying - tried both when warm and
> cool -
> > > > couldn't get it to move -- any ideas?
> > >
> > > ok, first go get a replacement plug from the
> dealer.
> > > get two or three.
> > > and the little copper washers. that way, if you
> > > bugger up the hex-head
> > > on the one in the bus now, you'll have one to
> put
> > > back in. and carry a
> > > spare in the glove box ... you never know when
> you
> > > might lose it in
> > > the grass. :)
> > >
> > > get a large pair of vise grips or channel locks
> > > (that will comfortably
> > > fit under there) and see if you can get it loose
> > > that way. make SURE
> > > you are turning it in the right direction! most
> > > likely, some idiot at
> > > the jiffy-lube used an air impact wrench to put
> it
> > > back in. :(
> > >
> > > another trick is to tap on it with a hammer for
> a
> > > while ... straight
> > > up onto the drain plug. nice solid taps ... but
> not
> > > whacking it! ...
> > > about 20 or 30 times. sometimes that can loosen
> the
> > > threads.
> > >
> > > but basically you're gonna have to get something
> > > that grips it solidly
> > > (NEVER use crescent wrenches or open-end
> wrenches to
> > > take it off.
> > > always use only box-end wrenches with 6-sides or
> a
> > > 6-sided socket.
> > > don't use 12-sided wrenches or sockets on a
> drain
> > > plug). and just
> > > torque it off. :(
> > >
> > > good luck!
> > > joel
> > >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
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>
> What happened when you tried the 6 point socket?
> Did you round off all the corners?
>
> Larry A.
>
>
>

Nope - I didn't use it much - just tried to get it to
budge --

FYI: My mechanic buddy said to try running the engine
to warm, then take a icecube or 2 and cool down just
the plug - and then try it.

FYI2 - My shop mechanic said for $40-50 he'll get out
the old plug and set a helicoil w/proper threads...




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