Stuck removing the sump plug

[capt jack]

Machine Mart and Screwfix sell special 1/2" drive socket sets for exactly this. Basically as you undo the offending bolt end, the socket, which has cutting teeth set the 'wrong' way around bites into the relatively soft bolt, and with a bit of grunting and swearing on your part, it comes undone.

That's what got mine off when I got stuck in the same position.

Do have a new replacement ready though, as has been said.

Cheers

Jack

[Luxobarge]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Machine Mart and Screwfix sell special 1/2" drive socket sets for exactly this. Basically as you undo the offending bolt end, the socket, which has cutting teeth set the 'wrong' way around bites into the relatively soft bolt, and with a bit of grunting and swearing on your part, it comes undone.

+1 for that method - excellent bits of kit, made by Irwin if memory serves.

[MonkeyMatt]

These are amazing tools:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-5-pi...FYcntAod1WsAQQ

[Matthews 855 T5]

Originally Posted by mikealder

Get a new one BEFORE you try removing the old one as it will be knackered by the time you get it out!

Vice grips to start with then the chisel as descibed above but don't belt the crap out of it as it's only soft and if you miss with the hammer you don't want to damage the sump, once it starts to move with the chisel have another go with the vice grips, I assume you know which way it should be turning to undo, I appreciate this might seem a condecending question but if you turn it the wrong way you will make the issue worse - Mike

Thanks, got a new sump plug, washer, oil and filter. I am nervous about the chisel thing. I am not delicate with things. Not a condescending question at all, it always pays to check and fool am I if I try to turn it the wrong way.

I will let you know how I get on.
Matt

[Luxobarge]

I'd recommend those Irwin nut removers then, as they will ONLY work one way, so no chance of messing it up further. You're also not hitting anything with a hammer, so less chance of damage, and they are VERY good so will almost certainly work. By that I mean that if the Irwin removers don't work, you're in to taking it to an engineering shop for some serious engineering work to get it out!

[Cheradenine]

Originally Posted by Matthews 855 T5

Hello

I am totally stuck removing the sump plug. I've managed to round it off and now I don't know how to remove it, duh!

To be fair, some people crank the plugs up way too tight; the numbnuts that'd last changed the oil in my 850 had tightened the plug so far that the washer had extruded out from under the plug- it looked like silicone sealant under the gunge. The bit that was under the plug was as thin as foil. Not easy to get the plug out- wrenched my didgy knee trying to get leverage :-(

[AndyJudge]

Shouldn't need to chisel it off, any garage worth it's salt will have a special socket as mentioned above.

I know my local Scooby Indie lent me one when I was trying to remove a siezed bolt on my car, for the princely sum of a pint.

[Matthews 855 T5]

It finally came out!

I conceded and and asked my garage to remove the sump nut. After trying heat and various tools they hit it with a hammer and cracked the sump.

Kindly they took responsibility and replaced the whole sump (second hand) and got me on the road in time for my holiday.

I am very annoyed at myself for being a dunce but very happy that there are decent garages out there.

Thanks to everyone for there advice.
Matt

[toxophilus]

No, no, no, no and a thousand times no...

Odds on you tried to use a 12-point socket or ring spanner, didn't you???

Try using a six-point socket even on the rounded off plug, it's amazing the purchase that you'll be able to get. Failing that, use a multi-grip socket (a very deep socket filled with spring-loaded pins - these will grip on just about anything).

THEN try the Stilsons.

If all else fails, get your angle grinder out and put some new flats on the plug.

DON'T resort to hammer and chisel, you'll almost certainly crack the sump pan, or put a hole in it if you slip.

In all cases, you need to have the car properly raised and supported so you can get under it.

[DaveNP]

Originally Posted by toxophilus

Odds on you tried to use a 12-point socket or ring spanner, didn't you???

Try using a six-point socket even on the rounded off plug, it's amazing the purchase that you'll be able to get. Failing that, use a multi-grip socket (a very deep socket filled with spring-loaded pins - these will grip on just about anything).
.

I'm a fan of Metrinch spanners and sockets, if you've rounded the corners of a nut/bolt or even on good nuts, they have a wavy sort of grip which bears on the flats rather than the corners. I first used one on a brake pipe nut which I'd tried and damaged with an open ended spanner, then cut the pipe to use a 12 point ring spanner, then went and bought the 10mm metrinch which worked even though the nut looked like it had no corners left. That persuaded me and I went and bought a full set. They may not be ideal in all circumstances, they do not fit snugly on the nut so there's some slack to take up which is inconvenient if there's not much room to swing the spanner, but for something like a sump plug they work for me.

I noticed I didn't mention them in my first response but I think I assumed the head of the sump plug was totally destroyed.

Link to Metrich website http://www.metrinch-tools.com/websit...hp?language=gb they might look like a weird idea or gimmick but they work for me.