Date:         Thu, 6 Jul 2006 08:43:19 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: 19mm oil drain plug?
Comments: To: "Cronin, Paul" <PCronin@ANTIGENICS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <B6783B47168AA3418F14BDFA8BCF180E4CA2B2@MALEXEX2.corp.antigenics.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

In my opinion, it isn't the right plug ... but ...

If you have an old "so what" socket and access to a grinding wheel, you
might try making your own thin walled socket and see if that works.

Some, in your situation, (after removing the plug) have used a dremel
with a grinding stone to remove metal from the engine case so that a
socket can be fitted.  I wouldn't go that route.

Another choice is to get the plug out (even if you have to slot the plug
with a dremel and a cutting wheel so that a screwdriver could turn it)
then use a thread repair kit (helicoil is one type) which would allow
you to return to a stock drain plug.

Mike


Cronin, Paul wrote:
> Hi!
>
> This might be a dumb question - I went out to do the first oil change on my 88 Wolfsburg this past weekend and was met with a small obstacle.  The oil drain plug had been switched out to a 19mm, and with the recessed location I was unable to get a socket to actually grip the bolt to remove it.  I spoke to the PO and he told me that he had went to the dealership for a replacement and that this was given to him.  He thought it was brilliant German engineering to prevent over-tightening.  This may be the case, but I can't get it off.  The recessed location prevents a wrench from getting a hold of it, and a socket simply won't grab it since only a small fraction of the bolt is accessible.  The bolt itself has been beat up pretty bad from the PO's struggles to remove it, but it's still got the edges.  I have been to Home Depot and True Value and can't find a socket that looks any better or different than the craftsman I own.
>
> Any ideas?  Is this really a dealership decision, or is the wrong plug?
>
> Thanks!
> Paul
>