Are you looking to change your car oil, and you can’t loosen the oil drain plug? You will be glad to hear that you are not the only one to face this issue when an oil change is due. Fortunately, fixing the issue is doable.
Keep reading to learn which way to loosen the oil drain plug.
How to Remove a Stuck Oil Drain Plug
The best way to remove a stuck oil drain plug is to have a lot of leverage and anti-seize lubricant. And Because the space underneath the vehicle is very tight, getting enough leverage will be a challenge. Keep reading to learn how to remove a seized sump plug.
Tools Needed
- Anti-Seize Spray
- Standard Ratchet
- Rust remover
- Wrench & Hammer
- Extra-Long Ratchet
- Socket Wrench
- Gator grip
- Car Jack
Warm Up the Car
One of the simplest ways of removing a stuck oil drain plug is to let the car warm up. You can do this either by leaving it idle for a while or taking the care on a short cruise. After this, park the car on a stable surface.
Then, using any hydraulic jack high up the car, locate the oil drain plug and move it clockwise or counterclockwise until it loosens.
Use a Socket Wrench
Socket wrenches are among the most famous tools used in automotive maintenance due to their practicality and flexibility. It is also a multi-use tool and can be used for various purposes. For example, the socket wrench is the best tool to loosen the oil drain plug for a quick oil change.
Get the proper socket that matches the oil drain plug size and remove the stuck oil drain plug. Consider a socket wrench with a longer handle since it provides extra torque to make your mission easier.
Use a Hammer
If the 2nd step fails, do not lose hope. The other tip is to use a hammer and tap on the oil drain plug. Giving some light taps in the right direction will loosen the plug.
Be careful not to damage the oil drain plug or its teeth. After that, try again to remove the oil drain plug using a socket wrench.
Using Rust Remover / Lubricant
Using lubricants or rust removers will unstick the plug with minimal effort. Rust removers work like a solvent substance for sludge and rust.
Use it by spraying some on the oil drain plug and letting it react after a few minutes to remove it using a socket wrench or any other tool.
Use a Gator Grip
This invention is a universal wrench socket since it works with plugs, sockets, and bolts using its teeth. In addition, the gator grip may help you to remove the plug.
Get Professional Help
Unfortunately, if you came to this step, this means that all the above tips and steps have failed to help you remove the stock oil drain plug. Do not grief. It is not bad to ask for help when things become complicated.
Ensure that you are getting help from an expert. Also, ensure that the fixes applied to your vehicle are very safe. Let the person explain to you what is happening and why. Removing this suck oil drain plug may require some machining skills to avoid the situation from happening again after putting a new plug.
Signs that Your Oil Drain Plug is Stuck
If your drain plug is incredibly hard to open, it is stuck. You can also tell if the plug is stuck if there is debris stuck on the area that is as a result of oil attracting debris around the area. Lastly, rust on the plug is also a sign that it is stuck.
Why is My Oil Drain Plug Stuck?
There are two main reasons why your oil pan plug is stuck;
Sludge
Sludge is the main reason your oil drain will get stuck. It simply creates a formation around the oil drain plug and makes it difficult to remove. This is because the sludge forms when the oil inside your engine is overdue for a change.
The oil oxidizes when exposed to high temperatures. When oxidation occurs, the molecules in the engine oil break down—the effects mix with combustion dirt – water, metallic particles, carbon, and fuel. The mixture forms a sticky sludge.
Over Tightening
Another reason why your oil drain plug gets stuck is over-tightening. This is common when you take your car for routine maintenance to an under-skilled person.
If the oil drain plug is too tight, the pitch of the screws is destroyed. And in this case, when you remove your oil drain plug, you should change the whole oil pan.
How to Drain Oil Without Removing the Plug
If you have no luck loosening the drain plug, you can open the entire oil sump pan and let the oil out. You will need a new gasket though and perhaps an entire replacement pan if you can still not get the drain plug open.
Check this too: How Much Is An Oil Change For A Lamborghini?
While this looks like a good solution, it will be a messy affair. When you remove the oil filter, it typically holds a lot of oil, so you still need to slide a pan or some newspapers beneath the car. You’ll also need a small pan to dump the oil that comes out of the filter. A disposable cup might work, and then you can dump the oil into the LiquiVac.