Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. Steps 1. How to Change Your Own Oil : How to Loosen the Oil Drain Plug Here Are the Warning Signs, How To Use Sea Foam: Three Ways To A Cleaner Fuel System, Dead Car Battery? If your engine oil level is dropping, one of the first things you should check is the oil drain plug to make sure it’s not leaking. Place an oil drain pan under and a little toward the back of oil drain plug, as the oil will shoot out horizontally when you remove the plug. 2. The Oil Pan Bolt turn off Counterclockwise. Lift up the lever and turn counter-clockwise. In this case, the plug and filter are far apart, meaning I must reposition the drain pan after I drain the oil and before I remove the filter. Check out all the chemical products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. I want to make sure I do not strip it. For the oil change, you unscrew the safety cap and attach the quick connect with the drain tube. Step 3. For more information on your oil drain plug, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. there should be a drain plug on the very bottom of the diffs be careful they strip out easy, to turn off the light hold both big buttons down till light goes off. Place your oil pan on the ground underneath the drain plug of your BMW 323i. 3. That formation around the oil drain plug makes it hard to remove it using the traditional way. This Simple Hack Lets You Shift to Neutral, How to Dry Out Your Wet Car in 3 Easy Steps, If Your Car Battery Won't Hold a Charge, Try These 4 Steps, 6 Signs You May Have a Bad Water Pump On Your Hands, How to Jump-Start a Diesel Truck With Two Batteries, How to Reset an Oil Change Light After Maintenance, What Car Battery Type Do You Have? This will oil the drain plug more easily. 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Slowly increase the pressure untill you hear it "give". Try this (assuming this is a serious post): when you're getting ready to insert the bolt, turn it counter-clockwise (lefty-loosey) until you feel the threads drop or "click". Most Subarus have the oil type printed on the oil cap - it will likely be 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 or 10W-40. Then, snug it up with a wrench. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Use a tap and die set to create fresh threads a few inches away from the existing opening, then insert a new plug and gasket. If anything other than oil is dripping out, put the plug back in and try again. Your car’s oil drain plug has a very important, if often underrated job. Try a Gator Grip. There is a hole in the bottom of the frame to allow access (see Photo) 2. Subaru recommends SUBARU approved engine oil however, in cases where it is not available then an alternative can be used. Remove the splash shield towards the front of the truck. Hand install the valve until tight, and give 1/8 turn with a small crescent wrench on the body. Be careful that it does NOT come out, only loosen it enough to drain the anti freeze. 4. The easiest way to remove a plug is to use a ratchet, but you might need an extension to be able to reach and unscrew this part. 2. For 2.5L models, it must be 0W-20 synthetic oil. While oil is draining, replace the oil filter. Use your fingers to unscrew the plug the rest of the way, you can apply a little pressure to the plug when unscrewing to keep oil from seeping out. The main reason why an oil drain plug gets stuck is due to sludge. Do not remove them yet. Still have questions? 9.Install a new oil drain plug with a new washer assuming it’s just slowly dripping. © Copyright National Automotive Parts Association. Plugs can be snugged up against other engine or chassis components, putting them in tights spots that can be difficult to reach without the right tools. 'Incitement of violence': Trump is kicked off Twitter, Erratic Trump has military brass highly concerned, Some Senate Republicans are open to impeachment, 'Xena' actress slams co-star over conspiracy theory, Fired employee accuses star MLB pitchers of cheating, Unusually high amount of cash floating around, Flight attendants: Pro-Trump mob was 'dangerous', These are the rioters who stormed the nation's Capitol, 'Angry' Pence navigates fallout from rift with Trump, Dr. Dre to pay $2M in temporary spousal support, Freshman GOP congressman flips, now condemns riots. The oil plug on my ranger is to tight. which way do i turn the oil plug on a 2000 mitsubishi mirage DE or a 2004 dodge neon? Clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen is the rule for bolts (exception: natural or LP gas lines, which do the opposite). The stahlbus®-oil drain valve takes the place of the conventional drain plug. Remove the plug with your 17 mm socket wrench so that the oil drains into the pan. Using a 5/8" socket, loosen them so you can turn it with your fingers. thanks. Once this is connected the valve opens and the oil starts flowing into the catch. Replace the drain plug back into the oil pan now after letting it drain for around 15 minutes. ... 4. You don’t need a special tool like you do when removing your oil filter. Your engine needs oil to run. The sludge forms around the drain plug because the oil in the engine has exceeded its oil change time. Will I be able to repair my leaking roof on my own? I have a 1998 Honda Civic EX and im changing my oil, but I cant get the bolt off the oil pan and i forget which way to turn it. Slowly remove the drain plug by hand. The plug, which sits at the bottom or side of the oil pan, is charged with keeping your motor’s vital life blood — its lubricant — from pouring out due to the constant effects of both gravity … When I first got my bike I had a somewhat difficult time changing the oil since the plastic removal on the YZF is such a pain in the @ss. Park on a flat surface, or, if your car has a low... 3. How do you think about the answers? The vast majority of cars have a bottom-mount screw-on filter. Find the oil plug and visually inspect the area around it for signs of leakage. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Turn it Counter Clockwise to remove it. The plug, which sits at the bottom or side of the oil pan, is charged with keeping your motor’s vital life blood — its lubricant — from pouring out due to the constant effects of both gravity and the pressure that’s generated inside the crankcase. I have provided you with a picture of 3/8 extensions. Most Chevrolets have the oil type printed on the oil cap - it will likely be 5W-20, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30 or 10W-40. The same way you change the oil in any car. I just want to make sure im not tightening it rather than loosening it to get it off. Now you’re ready to work your way to the oil filter. A slow-leaking drain plug will allow contaminants into the engine that can cause internal damage, but the real problem is what happens if an oil pan is allowed to hit dangerously low levels or empty completely. If it’s too dirty to tell, clean it up and see if oil starts to spread out onto the newly polished metal of the pan. Just remember you are laying upside down when you do it. I currently contribute as an editor to several online and print automotive publications, and I also write and consult for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. It’s also possible that the plug was installed too tightly, causing the threads to be damaged and oil to leak out past them. Redlining a Car: 3 Common Automotive Myths Debunked. 10.I’m going to be a bit old school here. Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? place your oil drain pan below the drain plug and loosen the oil pan drain plug with the closed end of the 17mm combination wrench. is it a repair shops responsibility to make sure something is entirely fixed? Your plug may use a crush washer, a gasket or a combination of these two components to help seal it. Finding the oil drain plug on your vehicle is the first step to changing your engine oil, oil filter or drain plug gasket, which should be part of your regular maintenance schedule. Close the lever and refill with engine oil How to Drain Oil: 1. Have someone hold the socket in place. First, slide a piece of cardboard under the engine and leave your vehicle sitting overnight. Replace the drain plug to its original position. piece of pipe to the breaker bar handle. Apply a small amount of oil around the drain plug’s washer. engine oil, oil, oil change, oil drain, oil pan, oil plug. This should be done every three months or at the intervals recommended by your car manufacturer. The Topsider extractor is a compact low metal container that is … Once all the oil has drained, you’re ready to reinstall the drain plug. If this seems to be the case, or if the plug feels loose, it’s best to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic who can decide whether the drain plug socket needs to be re-bored, or if it can be fixed using a chemical sealant. The oil filter is located on the front right side of the engine, next to the oil sump, facing down. Oil Razz, I hope you have found the oil drain plug by now. Your email address will not be published. Get together a jack, a socket set and oil. Replacing timing belt based on mileage or age. Your Rear Car Defroster: How Does It Work and How Can You Repair It? Which direction to I turn to loosen it. I've changed the oil myself several times before, but the last time i took it somewhere to have done cause i had a free oil change and they put the bolt back on too tight. All Rights Reserved. Twist it until it is snug but not super tight. The oil then tends to oxidize under high temperatures. Get oil and a filter replacement. Now if this answer is not worth an ACCEPT, please do … Note: On the newer bikes the frame covers the transmission plug. The Bolt will come off. Can you roll back a digital odometer? Be sure to turn toward the plug's left. The old opening will need to be sealed. Be sure to start the threading with your fingers, not a wrench. To remove the oil plug you will need a 3/8 socket extension. Hello on 99% of vehicles the oil pan drain plug is removed by turning it CCW. Turn back the lever to close. Turn clockwise to tighten, counter-clockwise to un-tighten. Remove drain plug and drain oil 2. Locate the oil drain plug, primary plug and the transmission fluid plugs under your bike (see photo). There can be several reasons why your drain plug is leaking. So if your looking at the bolt head from the direction of not being able to see the threaded in. Put a breaker bar on it and if necessary, add a 3 ft. lg. Drain the oil from the oil pan by removing the oil drain plug, remove the filter, apple oil to the new filter gasket, and install the new filter. If the washer is missing or deformed or if the gasket has dried out or torn, then these may be responsible for the leak. You can sign in to vote the answer. Regular oil … Oil leaks can be messy, but they don’t have to be difficult to fix. Be sure to use a 6 point socket. A gator grip has little teeth that will help you take off the drain plug from the oil … Remove the oil plug (17mm socket) and drain the engine oil (If you have drive the car before be caution, as it will be HOT) Step 4. In fact, you’ll most often find it attached to the side, where it’s better protected from damage that could arise from scraping against a speed bump or pothole. If the oil drain plug and gasket appear fine, but the opening in the engine oil pan has damaged threads, consider creating a new opening in the pan. It will drip directly under the plug at first, but as soon as you remove it, the oil … Having been bitten by the car bug at a young age, I spent my formative years surrounded by Studebakers at car shows across Quebec and the northeastern United States. When you have the plug almost all the way out, get a hand on the drain pan. With the oil filter tool, remove the old oil filter. The radiator drain plug is on passenger side of the radiator tank at the bottom. i’m charting my battery for my weed cart, if the charger light is green, does that mean the battery is charging or it’s ready to be used? During oxidation, the molecules of engine oil break down. If this won't turn it, then I go to a impact driver. Drain and replace the oil filter. I tighten my oil drain plug and oil filter by feel and look, not my torque value. Your car’s oil drain plug has a very important, if often underrated job. Lacking oil, the engine will quickly fail, as friction builds heat, and moving components seize and break. (DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN!) Over ten years of racing, restoring, and obsessing over automobiles lead me to balance science writing and automotive journalism full time. 4b. Your email address will not be published. 3. Now it's time to locate the oil filter and drain plug. Get your answers by asking now. Using the extractor was an easy way to get oil into a container for disposal at recycler. Then you know the ridges of the bolt are lined up with the valleys in your drain pan. With the preliminaries out of the way, it's time to drain the oil … Replace the plug once all the oil has drained from the vehicle. This might take some time if it’s a slow leak. It’s usually easy to spot a vehicle’s oil drain plug, because it’s positioned at the lowest possible point on the oil pan, which is itself attached to the very bottom of your vehicle’s engine. Next, jack up the car or drive it onto ramps — always make sure to use jack stands with your jack, too. No need to over-tighten. On my C240 Mercedes when doing an oil change at home means car on ramps and drain plug at the lower portion of drain pan. I think Walmart put them on too tight last time and i want to make sure that i am turning them the right direction. Afraid i wil strip it 7 Answers. It may be nesessisary to use a larger wrench, or double up 2 wreches. When you … Replace it the same way and give it a light coating with oil before installing it. Required fields are marked *. If you cross-thread it you will ruin the plug and maybe the threads in the oil pan. Gather more materials. Locating the plug and accessing it are often two different stories. … 8 Answers. The plug isn’t always located on the bottom side of the pan. Once the oil is drained, reinstall the plug and add 30 weight oil to the full line on the dipstick. The molecules mix with the dirt in the engine coming from comb… If you have to ask then you shouldn't be playing with it! 1. My brothers coming home from the navy on leave next week and I’ve been driving his camaro ? Rocksolid Let your car engine run for 10 minutes. which direction does oil plug on 2002 ford ranger turn to loosen. Place the extension into the plug and turn the extension counter clockwise with a ratchet. Clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen is the rule for bolts (exception: natural or LP gas lines, which do the opposite). But if not it is under the motor...it is visible from the left side of the bike (but barely). You can use pliers to loosen it. On leave next week and i want to make sure im not tightening it rather than it. Plug almost all the oil drain plug back in which way to turn oil drain plug Try again freeze! May use a crush washer, a gasket or a combination of these components! To oxidize under high temperatures enough to drain the anti freeze oil in engine! Hammer or cheater bar or, if your looking at the bolt from... Plug and the transmission plug than loosening it to get it off using. The stahlbus®-oil drain valve takes the place of the truck the ridges of truck. Subaru approved engine oil How to loosen the oil filter of 3/8 extensions does oil plug and add 30 oil. Is under the engine has exceeded its oil change, you ’ re ready to reinstall the plug once the! Products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance repairs. 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