Oil pan drain plug

[Tallman]

I've got a Ford 1300 that has the oil drain hole threads stripped. I am looking for a way to repair. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The plug is still in, but i need to change the oil soon and trying to figure out what to do.

 

[JerryG]

Take your drain plug into a auto parts store and tell them you need a drain repair plug. They have a plug that screws into the damaged threads and has a plug in it.

 

[mahlers]

There are a bunch of ways to fix it - from cutting out the old drain plug hole and welding a new one in, to using one of those expandable rubber plugs. In a pinch, I'd use one of the expandable ones - just change it every time you change oil so that you're sure it is in good shape and making a good seal. You can get them at pretty much all the auto parts stores, and they have ones that expand by turning a wing-nut, screw, or regular nut.

 

[GerardC]

Buy the next size up plug, drill and retap. Good as new. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[BillyP]

Jerry's suggestion is the cheapest, best and most permanent way I know of.

 

[jimg]

I've seen a variation on this...a series of plugs of the same dia and pitch w/ progressively deeper threads. Basically, you use the new plug (w/ deeper threads) to chase those stripped out in the drain pan. Winding it in is a chore but it seems to hold pretty good and tends to deform instead of cut so you don't have to worry w/ metal bits in the pan. The beauty is you don;t have to remove the pan.

 

[Soundguy]

I had a pontiac sunbird that had buggered up oil drain threads.. I got one of those 'tapping' repair plugs. It was washer headed, and came with a nice rubber gasket. The plug cut decent threads that held well.. and the gasket sealed good.

I put a dab of grease on it and put some grease up in the pan to catch chunky metal bits.. I also ran a couple quarts of oil down the oil fill and out the pan to clear the grease and filings.. I sold the car after 4 years and the other owner had it at least 4 years...

Soundguy