Oil Drain Plug

[David Lisle]

Eric and other auto enthusiasts,

I am having an issue with my oil drain plug, I don’t seem to have the leverage I need to loosen it. Equipment I am using for my oil change is as Follows:

(2) 2 Ton Jack Stands on raised one notch
17mm Wrench and Socket

Car 2008 Hyundai Tiburon 2.0l

I have a 2 ton floor jack that doesn’t get the car high enough to get the jack stands under so I’ve been using the scissor Jack which goes high enough to place the jack stands on one notch above base height. When under the Car, I can not seem to get the Drain Plug to move even a millimeter.

Also I have been considering replacing the Drain Plug with one of those twist valve but am skeptical. Any thoughts or suggestions on the Drain Plug issue and Eric could you do a video or quick tip on those drain plug valves v. Regular Drain Plugs.

If anyone is the San Bernardino County area of CA and can help me out, I would be greatful

Thank You,

Dave

Topic

[Charles]

If you can get both arms and hands under the car hold the wrench with one hand and hit the back of you hand with the other. Just gives a little shock to break it loose. Remember it turns counter clockwise to loosen.

[Its me]

Try a 6 point socket on a 24-36 inch breaker bar… If that doesn’t move it, then something is really wrong….

-Karl

[David Lisle]

I think I might be having an issue of leverage due to angle. I have the ratch set to loosen and when using the wrench I am pulling it the same way. If I could get the wheels higher up off the ground, i mght have better luck.

[Its me]

If you are lacking space, you may try the old mechanic’s cheat of locking two combination wrenches together for greater leverage… Just wear eye protection (just in case!!)

Also this technique works for ratchets, by putting the box end through the handle, but we all know you should never use a ratchet to break a stuck bolt 😛

[David Lisle]

Thanks, I’ll look into it, I was also thinking of pulling out the floor jack and trying to nudge the plug loose with that.

[David Roddick]

The advice you are getting is not bad but I’d suggest that if it’s really tight, find a shop that will get it loose for you this one time. They can get it on a lift and have room to work. They are also set up to deal with any issue if things go bad. When I buy a car, the first oil change is done by a shop that I trust. And I watch (and they don’t mind that). They also don’t over-tighten stuff so then I can do future oil changes (etc). They also let me know of other stuff they find (if anything) so I can plan to take care of those issues or have them do it.

[David Lisle]

I observed the last oil change however, I think they may have forgotten the drain plug gasket. They were able to knock the drain plug loose but as you said the car was on a lift and the mechanic was standing with full leverage instead of on his back with less than a foot and a half of space.

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[Lorrin Barth]

Leg muscles are stronger than arm muscles. So, use a box end, hold it in place until you can get you foot against it. If that doesn’t work, time to take it to the shop. You don’t want to damage the threads and have to replace the pan.

[Its me]

This is an easy job… I can’t believe how much conversation is being spent on removing a simple stuck fastener…

A 6 point socket or wrench is best and should easily remove the bolt… leverage can be gained with a breaker bar, doubling on a wrench or as stated, using a leg to push the wrench/ratchet…

Maybe I have been lucky…. In my 28 years of wrenching, I have never stripped the threads of a fastener or a pan on removal….. Seriously, if it is this hard for someone to remove an oil pan drain bolt, then they probably should take it to the Jiffy lube with a 19.99 coupon and have it done for them…

-Karl

[David Lisle]

Karl,

I’m going to take it to a shop to get the plug loosened and I’m looking to a Drain Plug Valve for future changes. I have tried the suggestions, but I’m also trying to be careful to as mention not strip the bolt head or threads.

I have done Oil changes in the past and this is the first car in which the Drain Plug has given me trouble. A healthy conversation on even easy things can be used a learning tool to help others who might have the same issue. I personally believe I would have more luck getting it loose if I could lift the car high enough to attach a breaker bar or a use the double wrench technique, which I attempted using my ratchet and wrench. I also remember last time I tried this at this height seeing my engine move slight when trying to get the plug loose at this low height. I do not want my engine falling on me because I used too much force.

I simply asked a question looking for help.

[Its me]

I apologize if I seem short… Numerous suggestions were made… Safety is an important thing and if you feel unsafe, then you are doing the right thing… I truly wish you best of luck and hope you have picked up something from this site…

V/R

-Karl

[Daniel]

Get the car on some jack stands, or even better some ramps, to get some more leverage…I absolutely hate it when someone gets on here with some legit questions, and get treated like crap and talked down to. If it was such an easy thing to do i dont think the guy would be here trying to get help!

Make sure you are using the correct size socket that fits snug too, to make sure you dont strip it!

[Its me]

I am sorry if you feel I talked down to him… I did apologize for appearing curt.

It was a legitimate question, where his question was answered with many good ideas and techniques…

An important thing to note about life in general is to understand and acknowledge your limitations… It appears he does know his… He is not comfortable with doing this job himself…. When you couple this with what appears to be a lack of the proper tools, then there are safety risks… especially when a vehicle is raised and one is underneath it.

I do believe he received excellent advice and counsel on how to do this job. Taking it to a pro is a safe, inexpensive way to save aggravation and problems; and if it came out the wrong way from me, I do apologize…

-Karl

[Daniel]

I did not mean to aim that directly at you, so sorry if it looked that way! But here lately every one is getting all pissy on here! Its a forum for asking and answering legit questions and concerns…and typically its going to be an entry level guy asking a more experienced person the question, and they feel that they can just talk down…idk just seems like they should not be on a car forum if they didnt want to be asked car questions all the time…every one had to learn! Noone came out of their mom, with 5-10 years of experience ya know.

[Daniel]

Oh, i understand 100%! Just some people on here expect everyone to be 100% knowledgeable about everything…there is a reason that we are here asking these questions! But if you tell them how to go about it 5-6 times thats a totaly differant story! There is a differnace between being annoyed, and being an ass, and there are some guys on here, being out rite a$$e$! NOT YOU!

[Author]

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