Oil Change - Sump plug solution

[s2_bo]

--- This really works and could save a lot of time and hassle ---

As everyone is aware the Sump plug is a absolute PITA to undo when changing the oil.

I tried for about 30 mins last night and didn’t manage to get it to budge in the slightest.
The bolt was loosing more and more of its edge and almost rounded off.
So i packed away the tools etc. and accepted the fact that id have to get the garage to do it.

Then suddenly i had an idea..(that doesn't happen very often LOL )

So i jacked the car up to 15 - 20 cm, and placed a breeze block under it just below the Oil Sump. I then got a piece of veneered B&Q flat packed furniture and lay this on top of the block.
I then took a 17mm socket on a 1/2 inch drive and placed it on the sump plug at about a 90 degree angle.
Here is a rough display  (sorry my mspaint skills are not to great…)

pic.JPG


I then “Very slowly” lowered the car down, checking constantly to make sure that the socket was properly attached to the Sump plug and not slipping off.
The veneered timber moved bit by bit across the block as the weight of the car was forcing it down.
With in about 20 seconds there was snapping sounds as the sump plug came lose.
I then jacked the car up again, removed the block and timber, and easily undid the sump plug.
The rest is self explanatory.

Using the cars weight to undo the bolt is very effective, but make sure that you have a good angle on the drive or breaker bar.

Do not try to lower the car if the attachment is vertical, this would result in a lot of damage.

This method took about 5 minutes and is effortless.
Hope this is of some use to some one, cheers.

Bo

[Greg_S]

can also try a fumoto valve too

[Jamo]

LOL Greg you beat me too it, Fumoto valve, click and open bobs your uncle.

Really glad i bought one

[Jamo]

Oh Top tip Bo

[Fat Audi 80]

Nice one Bo - and nice paintshop skills!
I have always wanted to do this on a bolt but never get the chance.

I have found that a 3 foot breaker bar will shift the sump plug. Plus I have just bought a new one to eliminate the rounded edges that I have on my current one. I think it helps to make sure you use a new washer every time too....

I am not a fan of the valvey type things.

A.) They *could* leak

B.) They are not OEM

cheers,

Steve

[jameswkr]

My first oil change was also a nightmare. I bought a 3 foot long 1/2 inch driver extension so that I could use a metre long torque wrench outside the car with the wheels on the ground - ( no undertray). With the ends of the extension supported at both ends, I had wound the wrench at least 180 degrees undone, plus hitting into the line of the extension before there was quite a crunch ( I thought Id cracked the sump ) and the plug was freed. STFA for installing the Fumoto - they are brilliant - but if yours ( like mine ) wont tighten with the arm in the right place read the archive...

[Jamo]

My first oil change was also a nightmare. I bought a 3 foot long 1/2 inch driver extension so that I could use a metre long torque wrench outside the car with the wheels on the ground - ( no undertray). With the ends of the extension supported at both ends, I had wound the wrench at least 180 degrees undone, plus hitting into the line of the extension before there was quite a crunch ( I thought Id cracked the sump ) and the plug was freed. STFA for installing the Fumoto - they are brilliant - but if yours ( like mine ) wont tighten with the arm in the right place read the archive...

I used 2 sump washers to get mine in the correct position

[Dpicariello]

Tried Bo's sump plug rmoval method yesterday.
After about 30 minutes of adjusting and slowing bringing the car down I ended up with the entire front end was being supported by a 3ft long 1/2 inch drive at an angle of 40degrees. Nothing happened!!!!! I don't know what the hec the plug has been put on with (loctite etc.) but it aint coming off.
I'm gonna pop along to the local garage this afternoon to try and get them to crack it loose with an impact gun but I'm worried.
The 1/2 inch drive was bowing by over an inch!

[bluequattro]

what

what the hell are these things fastened on with????
I use a ring spanner and can free mine off fine, i dont even have to jack the car up.
You lot need to eat more weetabix!

Has anyone ever tried using those pumps that go down the dip stick hole as an alternative?

If the head of the nut rounds off go to the garage(or if you have one) weld another larger nut onto the rounded one.

[Ross]

Geez that's a bit crazy... how on earth did you release it? I could see it giving and large shards of metal shooting toward your shins at a good rate of knots.

Chris_M, I am forever grateful for that quick-release valve you fitted

[Jamo]

Geez that's a bit crazy... how on earth did you release it? I could see it giving and large shards of metal shooting toward your shins at a good rate of knots.

Chris_M, I am forever grateful for that quick-release valve you fitted

That's the Fumoto valve Ross

[s2_bo]

Tried Bo's sump plug rmoval method yesterday.
After about 30 minutes of adjusting and slowing bringing the car down I ended up with the entire front end was being supported by a 3ft long 1/2 inch drive at an angle of 40degrees. Nothing happened!!!!! I don't know what the hec the plug has been put on with (loctite etc.) but it aint coming off.
I'm gonna pop along to the local garage this afternoon to try and get them to crack it loose with an impact gun but I'm worried.
The 1/2 inch drive was bowing by over an inch!

Did you get it sorted at the garage?
It must have been on rediculesly tight if it held the weight of the whole engine on that thread.

Good luck.

[Dpicariello]

I just read in a post by Steve in another thread that the stupid tightness is due to the aluminium sump and steel bolt.
Bo's idea although very good should only be used as a last resort.
It could all end in tears if something went wrong. Thankfully so far the bolt has not rounded off at all. I had to beat the socket off with a lump hammer though.

I've got a list of modifications/jobs to do that I want to do to this car that's as long as my arm and so far I've been defeated by the sump plug!!!!!

[Technogym]

I have the same problem every year, and it is not strange at all since the plug and sump is made of different materials. My "trick" is to make sure the engine is hot as h... before I jack it up and put the socket on with a extension-bar, always come off!

Good luck!

Vegard

[SteveH]

I gave up with the OE sump plug. Each oil change I replaced the old sump plug for a new one, and each time I couldn't remove the old one without it rounding off

Fumoto valve gets my great piece of kit.