Rounded Oil Drain Plug, Also Need Your INPUT!!

[Sean Price]

Greetings,

2005 Honda Pilot EX-L here..

went to change the oil like I do every few months, and viola drain plug would not budge... after 1hr yesterday and 2hrs today.. I now have a perfectly rounded drain plug...

Vice grips are uselss as even if I could get them to latch on, I would have no room to turn them..


Some quick questions for you.. I am NOT a mechanic, I don't even have a plethora of tools either.. jus the bare bones basics, i.e. Sears Craftsman 175 tool kit I got as a fathers day(co-incidently) gift a while back..


1. Anyone have any suggestions? 16mm wouldn't work and like I said, the 6pt 17mm wrench and socket both jus stripped the crap off the head of the drain plug...obviously when I finally hit it with the 12pt socket, it was toast..


2. I normally reuse the crush washers, did I reuse it one time to many? Could that be the cause of this? Besides my possible over tightning the last oil change?



Well I have given up now and calling in the proffesionals, Got a 1pm appt manana.

3. WhAT EXACTLY WILL THE PROFFESIONALS DO TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? At this point the oil pan is fine and hopefully just need a NEW drain plug, but how will they get it out? i.e. in other words what should I expect?

Thing is I have a 1100mile road trip planned on Tuesday... I would rather drive it to my destination(Tuesday) with dirty oil then risk possible damage at the shop... ie. possible damage = possibly missing my tuesday departure date because of pro-longed shop time..

What do you all think? Whats your input and opinions my party peoples? What would you do?

i.e. At what risk am I putting my Pilot by driving 1100miles with dirty oil?


THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!


ROAD TRIP AMERICA HERE WE COME!!! <--- OR SO I HOPE


REGARDS,

SEAN P


p.s. WHAT ever the F happened to Hondapilot.org I can't get that page to load up EVER.. ?? what gives, anyone know?

[cofetym]

This topic just came up you must have missed it on a search:2004 Pilot Oil Drain Plug Rounded Off!!

I personally replace the crush washer each time and others have replaced the drain plug with Fumoto.

[Sean Price]

Originally Posted by cofetym

This topic just came up you must have missed it on a search:2004 Pilot Oil Drain Plug Rounded Off!!

I personally replace the crush washer each time and others have replaced the drain plug with Fumoto.

My apologies, actually I did actually find and read that post before I posted..


I guess mine was more geared towards prevention and also REALLY wanted your guys opinions on the "dirty oil" drive.. <--- that was my real concern..

Thing is I have a 1100mile road trip planned on Tuesday... I would rather drive it to my destination(Tuesday) with dirty oil then risk possible damage at the shop... ie. possible damage = possibly missing my tuesday departure date because of pro-longed shop time..

What do you all think? Whats your input and opinions my party peoples? What would you do?

i.e. At what risk am I putting my Pilot by driving 1100miles with dirty oil?


but regarding the fumuto, so searches show they run about $30 a pop..

1. Will whatever the professionals do to REMOVE the rounded oil drain plug affect the ability for me to one day in the future use a FUMOTO? i.e. this drill out or tap-in process I keep reading about, or something about re-Threading..

2. The local parts store, checkers has a $10 replacement drain plug that pretty much does what the FUMOTO does.. ??? Does Fumoto have an advantage over similar designs?


I am EXTREMELY INTERESTED in the Bolt EXTRACTORS posted in that thread..


BOLT EXTRACTORS

ANYONE HAVE ANY LUCK WITH THEM?

THANKS AGAIN


SORRY for not making my posts clearer.. I have ben on the net for some years now, but I'm still a rookie.. i'm more of reader then poster I guess..


Sean P

[macphanatic]

Have you tried something like this?

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Remember - righty tighty, lefty loosy.

The Fumoto has a positive lock when closed. You need to push the lever before you can turn it. I'm not sure that I would use another brand unless I was sure of the quality.

[cofetym]

You neglected to mention the miles you have covered on the last oil change. What oil drain schedule do you follow.
That being said motor oil technology has come a long way and even 1100 miles over your schedule oil change routine should not be a problem.
Just make sure the level on the dip stick is where it needs to be before you travel.
If you decide not to go with the Fumoto, make sure you get a better socket that fits the new drain plug and replace the crush washer each time.
Torque wrench and a Service manual comes in handy and lastly I doubt that you've stripped the threads so relax.

[Sean Price]

Originally Posted by cofetym

You neglected to mention the miles you have covered on the last oil change. What oil drain schedule do you follow.
That being said motor oil technology has come a long and even 1100 miles over your schedule oil change routine should not be a problem.
Just make sure the level on the dip stick is where it needs to be before you travel.
If you decide not to go with the Fumoto, make sure you get a better socket that fits the new drain plug and replace the crush washer each time.
Torque wrench and a Service manual comes in handy and lastly I doubt that you've stripped the threads so relax.

actually I did mention it, in my original post.. WINK!

long story short, I change it every 3-4 months, but remember only drive aprox 100miles a week if that.. last change was January 2011.. so going on 5 months now...

I know the threads on the pan aren't stripped.. My question is more related to How the proffesionals will resolve this..

1. How will they remove the stripped bolt?

use the autozone bolt extractor type of deal, drilling it out?, tap it out, something about RE-threading <-- I am NOT a mechanic, I jus gleaned all this from google jus now.. the last one REALLY concerns me.. as I hope this RE-Threading business does not lead to whats below


2. How will this affect my ability to use the Fumoto in the future.. i.e. if they Re-Thread can I still use Fumoto as won't the size now be different? i.e. I will no longer have a 17mm drain plug?


thanks again

appreciate the responses man!



oNe


p.s. Cofetym, I also have a 2005 Honda Pilot EX-L, does VSA= 4WD? Or am I missing something, I was not aware that my Pilot was 4WD capable? hmm, interesting.. I would not have babied it this past winter!!

[macphanatic]

You drill screws that the head is stripped on, not bolts. Did you look at the bolt extractor that I referenced? It is a socket that goes over the rounded head. When you turn it to loosen the bolt, it digs into what's left of the bolt head.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this, I suggest that you buy a replace drain plug and take it and the Pilot to a mechanic who should be able to remove the bolt in a few minutes.

[samc]

How rounded are we talking about? At work (not on a oil drain pan) I would probably grab the grinder and flatten off the sides so that I can still get a wrench on it. Again not on a drain pan since it is a sensitive spot.

--- Just reread your last post. If professionals would drill out the bolt then why not try to grind it yourself first. Obviously you would need to be very careful but if anything work with a dremel first on a cutting wheel and see where that takes you. Then obviously use a very tight wrench and a torque bar. Lefty Loosey.

[Sean Price]

Pretty d@m rounded...Almost a circle...unfortunately...

Well I went out and purchased the Bolt Extractors as linked previously..

I also made a 1pm appt with my local Firestone guys as well..

Any last minute advise before we go?

Let me know b4 morning!!

Good nite gentleman, u hav all ben most helpful, I REALLY appreciate it!!

Sean P

Now it's jus a matter of deciding if I do it myself or have them do it at 1pm..


Decisions, decisions..

Figure I try it early morning myself, win or lose I can meet or cancel my 1pm accordingly..

anyone

[mclairmo]

You state that you know the threads are not stripped but there is no way to tell. Same thing happened to my diff plug. Dealer over torqued it and when it was removed, the threads came out with it. They had to install a Time Sert, which is just a very fancy expensive Heli-Coil type thread insert, but much better. So, your drain plug hole could be stripped out already. I would try to get the plug off myself with a tool designed to grip a rounded of bolt head or use a Dremel to flatten the edges again. Then, make sure threads are ok. Use new drain plug and crush washer and learn to tighten gently. With a new crush washer, you don't have to over torque it to stop a leak. That's why you need a new crush washer each time, so as to prevent overtightening. The soft crush washer is malleable and will conform to any irregularities, creating a nice seal. A used one will not function at all, requiring excessive torque to create a leak free seal, if at all.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by Sean Price

2005 Honda Pilot EX-L here..went to change the oil like I do every few months, and viola drain plug would not budge...

Anyone else confused by "viola drain plug"?

Are we discussing a string instrument or an oil pan?

Seriously, I'd skip Firestone and find a local Honda dealer that offers "express service" (no appointment) oil changes and go there.
Let them remove the old drain bolt and install a new one, along with a new crush washer.
You may, or may not, want to warn them up front that there could be a problem with the drain bolt.

[makpilot]

try a pipe wrench? that would grip if stripped.

[Sean Price]

gentelmen, gentlemen, we're making this way too complicated then it needs it be..

Its MY fault, I apologize for my miseleading post.. I suck at this computer/internet stuff, missed social cues and whatnot, SORRY

it comes down to this

I am NOT a mechanic(jus a guy that does his own oil changes i guess and other at home quick car fixes)

So with that in mind, my ignorance may be my hindrance..

I was somehow under the impression that the Pro's had some magical powers that would remove the drain plug that made it easy for them and next to impossible for us home guys..also I have no idea what the hizzy a heli-coil is(yes, even after I googled it!), but it keeps coming up time and time again..

anyways this is what my ORIGINAL post should have been, NOT the confused mess my rookie self ended posting..


1. HOW would a dealer/proffesional mechanic do to remove the rounded off nut?

2. Could the stripping/rounding of the drain plug have occurred because I tried to change the oil while the engine was hot? i.e. hot/warm metal = weaker material... I mean everything down there was pretty d@m toasty.. I ONLY ask because I have changed oil on all my cars, i am a bit young so rather then say all my cars, lets say for the last 10 years that I'ved owned my cars.. nonetheless I have never had this happen..


3. HOW many miles over a scheduled oil change would continued driving become a danger? example. oil was to be changed at 80K, but I forgot/missed it, and now I'm at 81k, when would I fry my engine? at 82k, 83k, 84k, or 85K, ect, ect,


Again sorry for my weak original post.. but the above 3 is what should have happened.. err ben posted..


Well I have let teh Pilot cool down completely now before I try the Bolt EXTRACTORs..

I am about to give it a go..

WISH ME LUCK!!!


oh and Dear Mr. xGS... for your apparent confusion, this might help, the word is voilà, NOT viola.. <-- MY bad!!

and unfortunately there is no room for a PIPE Wrench.. at least not on the 05' Pilot.. believe me, since even the vice grips would grab, but then there was no room to turn em'..


well here I go!!

talk to you soon!


oNe

[cofetym]

I bet you get it sorted by yourself.

[makpilot]

your probably right about not enough room with the pipe wrench. i didnt even stick my head under my 05 pilot. lol. Was thinking about my tacoma, sry. When the wife comes home i'll take a look under.