Honda Odyssey Oil pan threads stripped……

[Doug]

I have a 2008 Odyssey
185K miles…Recently after a stop at Dealer ..I was told that the threads on the oil pan were stripped…they used a time sert and it seemed that the problem was fixed
Ok…However my next time around ..while removing the plug those new threads also came out …now the 14mm hole has gotten bigger..

I tried using the “over-sized” threaded plugs but..they are too small..
I had to result to currently using a rubber plug 5/8 size . Fortunately it has done the job for two months..But i know this will not last.
I am thinking of doing three things:

1. Going to a 16m plug and hope I can ” rethread ” the hole while installing it slowly by hand..since it is close to that size already
2. or I have a 16m tap bit..should i use that first, then insert the new 16m plug ?
3. Keep rubber plug in..roll the dice..just change oil filter and replace what oil comes out with old filter..to buy me some more time ?

I cant afford to drop the pan and replace it…not as easy as everyone may think..
any thoughts ?

Thanks

Topic

[Andrew Phillips]

If the timesert failed, it may not have been properly installed or the drain plug was over-torqued causing the set on the timesert to fail. Over-torquing the drain plug probably caused this problem initially also. The next best thing would be to chase the threads and install a new thread insert, using a good quality epoxy adhesive or JB Weld to help the set of the insert, and be careful not to over-torque the drain plug. A better repair would be to remove the oil pan (the hardest parts of the job are removing the exhaust and the old gasket sealant) and take the pan to a machine shop where the pan can be professionally repaired. That could be less expensive than replacing the pan, although I have seen them available from online parts dealers for less than $75.

[Hokiedad4]

Sorry to hear about that. I had the same problem with my Accord due to too many oil changes at a franchise auto repair store (I won’t mention the name but it rhymes with Stirefone). They actually replaced the OEM drain plug with a larger aftermarket plug at one point, then the problem got worse until I was forced to replace the pan.

I would say it’s only a matter of time before you will have no choice but to replace it. However, I would NEVER skimp on oil changes to try to save the pan, especially on a car that old.

[J]

My local Honda dealer cross threaded my oil plug, which started the stripping of the first threads. I discovered this when doing the next oil change 5,000 miles after the fact. Knew it would only get worse on future oil changes, and I did not expect the dealer to own up to it. I prepared for full stripping the next oil change and my expectations were met. Luckily, I was prepared with Eric’s quick tip for using a longer 14×1.5 bolt fabricated to grab the remaining threads in the back of the hole. Unfortunately I didn’t have a cutting tool so I had to use a hacksaw to cut it down to just the right size. BRUTAL! Took me two hours, three hacksaw blades, and two sweaty shirt changes to cut through the stainless bolt. Fine-tuned the fit on bench grinder just like Eric, installed a new crush washer, and installed ever so carefully! No leaks so far. Eric once again saved me a ton of money and in his vid gave me the confidence to tackle the job. Thanks ETCG!!

[Author]

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