ndnboy

Its been awhile but wanted to check on help for current issue.

Just got the oil changed a few weeks ago and noticed a leak from the drain bolt, tried tightening but def feels like its stripped, just spins.

Dropped off at dealer who changed oil but Im unsure if they will stand by their work.........What are my options to fix the drain bolt/pan leak?

Can it be tapped, do I need a new pan/bolt? And how difficult is either ....

Thanks

09GT/CS

You probably could retap it but I wouldn't on the car(no way to keep the metal shavings out of the engine). The proper way would be to remove oil pan retap and find an appropriate sized drain plug or find a used pan online. It also could be the plug itself with messed up threads you could try retreading it first and see. The dealers are usually good about taking care of that stuff though. And don't let them do that crappy threaded rod repair those things never work.

jwog666

most of the time you can just install a new drain plug into the pan, the plug is softer than the threads in the pan and will fail first if overtorqed. so before you panic, pull the plug and inspect. 99 out of 100 times the pan is just fine.

Art161

Yes, by all means start with the simplest thing first. I had my car in for an oil change at a highly regarded independent shop. I did not notice any oil leakage, but one of the owners said the plug was stripped. He put in a new one for something like $6.95 IIRC

ndnboy

Well havent spoken to shop yet but they left VM stating its a common issue on high , mileage Stangs(170K) with aluminum pan and steal bolt. They said they can place an oversized bolt in for temp fix but once that goes its a new pan.

Will see if they will try replacing standard bolt to see if that works first.

Couldnt make out what price he qouted for the oversized bolt but it sure didnt sound like $6.95, arghhh!

If cost is crazy I guess I can replace at home, its just gonna cost me oil $$$ as well.

Im assuming that the oversized bolt (if needed) will just need a little extra torque to snug/cut new threads? Pls LMK if I need to look out for anything else....

Thx

jwog666

ok i missed the part where is was a v6 with an aluminum pan, my mind went right to v8 with a steel pan. lol the threads in the aluminum pans are weaker, and i think an oversized is a good option but you will eventually have to replace the pan, because even the oversized plugs will eventually strip out.

ndnboy

Theyre willing to split cost somewhat, sayin its $330 for pan replacement, dont recomm oversized because theres no guarantee it will stay on....

So bite the bullet on pan or oversize....that is the question.

Def planned on keeping the car another yr or 2 soooooo..........

jwog666

wait, jack up your car and get eyes on the pan, im am showing that the lower pan (the part that has the plug) is steel>>>>>>>http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...ad=47362750812

for the cost of the part, i would say half of $330 is still a rip off, tell them you will buy the part if they install it for free

ndnboy

Does the pans just drop out or is there anything that needs to come off to get the pan off?

jwog666

from what i can see the steering rack needs to be positioned aside, then it can come right out, the book calls for 1.4 hours labor to r and r the lower oil pan