Date:         Wed, 17 Mar 1999 06:20:15 -0800
Reply-To:     Indulis Kradzins <indulis@MANUKA.TERRIGAL.NET.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Indulis Kradzins <indulis@MANUKA.TERRIGAL.NET.AU>
Subject:      Re: Stripped oil drain plug....
Comments: To: "tmjcgarret@earthink.net" <tmjcgarret@EARTHLINK.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

"tmjcgarret@earthink.net" wrote:

>  The local oil change shop stripped out my drain plug.  Any
> suggestions?   Vice-Grips won't grab it and it is now more round than
> anything else.  The fact that the plug is recessed isn't helping
> matters.

I had exactly the same problem. All attempts to extract it failed
miserably. In desperation I bought a HEX socket rather than the twelve
point ones that I normally use, and out she came like there was never a
problem. The HEX socket was a high quality one designed for use with
compressed air tools. By this stage the drain plug socket was almost
completely rounded, but the HEX socket took it out like a charm.

good luck,
Indulis Kradzins
91 Syncro