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How to remove a stripped out oil drain plug?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by jvswan, Oct 31, 2009.

  1. jvswan

    jvswan Member

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    Hi all,

    I started to do my first oil change today. I found that the oil drain plug head (not the threads, as far as I know) was stripped out such that I couldn't get a my screwdriver to bite. Or, rather, my screwdriver did get a bite, but the screw head was so messed up that all it did was round it even more.

    I couldn't get my vise grips to grab, so I went and bought some needle-nose style vise grips. Those got a good bite on the screw head, but all I managed to do was twist the jaws on the vise grips. The screw wouldn't budge.

    Are there any tips or tricks for getting this out?
     
  2. c21aakevin

    c21aakevin Member

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    You may want to use a dremel tool to cut a slot in the remainder of the head, and use an impact driver.

    We used to use a small pair of pliers from snapon. They had only about 2 teeth, and were made from about 16 gage tempered steel. They would actully dig right into the stripped screws. The closes thing I have now, is a small pair of robogrips.
     
  3. SQLGuy

    SQLGuy Well-Known Member

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    I was curious why you were using a screwdriver to remove an oil drain plug, so I looked up the parts diagram on your bike. Looks like the plug itself is like most other drain plugs (hex head, bolt-shaped), and would probably removed with a wrench or socket.

    I do see, though, that "bind" screw in the middle of it. What's that for? Do you need to loosen that before you can remove the plug?
     
  4. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    The Cross-Head Screw Top affixed to the Drain Plug allows you to use a Cross-Head Screwdriver to undo the Drain Plug after it is loosened.

    This feature keeps the hot engine oil from scalding you when draining the oil with the Engine hot.

    If the Drain Plug has any Flats remaining ... you can try driving-on a 6-point socket.
    There are some Special Tools which will aid in extracting rounded-off Hex Fasteners. Specially made Sockets and extractors.

    Install a new Drain Plug.
    You can find replacements with and without magnets.
    The magnet is a good idea.

    http://www.cgenterprises.com/drain_plugs_metric.htm
     
  5. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    I believe the cross head screw was to be removed to install a temperature probe to be used in conjunction with the gas analyzer for setting mixtures. Just ignore it and remove the plug with a socket.
     
  6. jvswan

    jvswan Member

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    So that's the deal! I had no idea that there was a hex bolt under the philips screw. Didn't even try a socket. My owners manual didn't say anything about that. Just said to remove the drain plug. Man! Someone ought to put that bit of info in the XJ CD! LOL

    I'll try a socket when I get back from San Diego on Friday. Thanks again!
     
  7. poprider

    poprider Member

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    do what we did at the shop.

    Weld a wrench to it!

    Always works.
     
  8. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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  9. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Bingo! Some XJ's have 'em, some don't. The screw in the plug was for an oil temperature probe.
     
  10. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    That probably was the intention.
    But the EGA Machines all went out-of-service due to their chronic breaking-down.
    After the EGA Machines weren't being uses anymore ... most guys just used the screw to drop the oil.
     

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