How to fix a stripped oil pan bolt

If you overtighten the oil pan drain plug, it can strip the bolt and make it difficult to remove. In some cases you may have to replace the oil pan and drain plug. This article and video reviews what happens when you overtighten an oil pan drain plug bolt and how to remove and fix a rounded or stripped oil drain plug.

Why Is the Oil Drain Plug Stripped and Stuck?

1. The Oil Pan Plug Was Overtightened and Stripped

If you over tighten the oil pan drain plug it can strip the threads. This can happen, for example, if you tighten the bolt by turning it clockwise when you intend to loosen it. It’s important to make sure you’re tightening and loosening the oil pan bolt properly so it doesn’t strip.

In the video above, our mechanic Andrew overtightens the bolt so much it becomes a little looser than when installed initially. The bolt is now stripped, is difficult to remove, may not remove from the oil pan.

2. The Wrong Tools Were Used

You can also round and strip the bolt if you use the wrong tools to remove and install it, like using an under-sized socket or tightening the bolt without a torque wrench.

How to Properly Install an Oil Drain Plug Bolt

Oil drain plug metal gasket and an oil drain plug with a rubber gasket attached

1. Use the Right Tools

Use the right tools like a socket or wrench to remove the drain plug.

2. Turn the Oil Plug Bolt Counterclockwise to Loosen

Turn the bolt counterclockwise to loosen it and make sure you’re turning the wrench clockwise so you don’t accidently overtighten and strip the drain plug.

3. Check the Threads on the Drain Plug

With the plug removed, check the threads and make sure they are in good condition and not stripped. If they are, the drain plug will have to be replaced.

4. Check the Rubber or Metal Gasket

Check for tearing or wear and replace the plug if it has a worn gasket. Replace any metal gaskets that go with the oil pan plug.

5. Turn the Plug Clockwise to Tighten It and Torque It to Spec

Tighten the oil pan plug by turning it clockwise without overtightening it, and torque the drain pan bolt to the manufacturer’s specifications. Stop tightening the bolt once the torque wrench clicks.

How to Remove a Stripped or Stuck Oil Drain Plug

Steps on how to remove a stripped oil pan drain plug properly

Remove the Stripped Bolt with a Wrench, a Socket and Ratchet, or Vice Grips
The right-sized wrench or socket and ratchet should remove a stripped oil pan bolt. You may have to apply upward force and wedge the bolt out also with a tool like a screwdriver. Attaching vice grips to the bolt, turning them and pulling out, and tapping it with a hammer if needed may help remove it
Remove a Rounded Oil Pan Bolt with a Bolt Extractor Socket
A bolt extractor socket is specially designed to grip the socket and release it. You may have to gently hammer the socket on to secure it, and then turn it with a ratchet to release the stuck bolt.
Drill the Stripped Bolt Out
If the bolt is still stuck, drill the bolt out straight down the center with a smal drill bit. Drilling in reverse may pull the bolt out. You may also have to drill another slightly larger hole and remove the bolt with a bolt extractor.
Replace the Oil Pan
If the bolt won’t release and is still stripped and stuck, or if the bolt did remove but damaged the oil pan, the oil pan will need to be replaced.

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Shop Parts and Tools

There’s nothing worse than stripping the oil drain plug when performing a regular oil change. Once this happens, you might be scratching your head, wondering how to remove a stripped oil drain plug. With the right tools, it isn’t difficult to get the oil drain plug out and repair the oil pan hole.

With a new drain plug ready to go, use your vice grip pliers to get around the oil drain plug. Turn the pliers counterclockwise and use a hammer if you need more force. Once it becomes loose enough, you should be able to unscrew it.

In this guide, we take a closer look at the necessary instructions to remove a stripped oil drain plug. We also outline how to repair the oil pan hole.

How Does an Oil Drain Plug Get Stripped

The word stripped can define two different conditions with the oil drain plug and hole. While they occur in different locations, the concept remains the same.

If damage to the threads of the drain plug occurs, it is labeled stripped. Because it becomes impossible to tighten this oil drain plug into the hole, it can be challenging to perform an oil change.

The term can also describe the stripping of the oil pan drain hole threads. When this happens, the drain plug cannot be torqued appropriately after an oil change.

With the plug not properly torqued, the oil will leak through the plug. Failure to fix this problem could lead to engine damage as the oil level continues to drop.

Stripped plugs and threads often occur because of over-tightening. Every drain plug must be tightened to a specific torque, according to the manufacturer’s specs. Drain plug head damage can also be caused by using the wrong size socket or wrench on it. This problem is often seen when a metric is used instead of standard and vice versa.

1. Get a New Drain Plug

Before you get started, it’s always best to ensure you have the necessary equipment to complete the jobs. One item that you should have on hand is the new drain plug.

When you take the stripped plug out, you will want to put the new one right in its place. Otherwise, you will have to leave the hole open while you go get the plug.

2. Use Vice Grip Pliers

You can use a set of vice grip pliers to grab onto the rounded-off drain plug. We recommend using the round-jaw variety.

If you opt for the flat-jaw type, you might have trouble locking around the bolt. Without locking onto it, you won’t be able to remove it.

Once you have a tight grip on the drain plug, turn the pliers counterclockwise. You may be able to loosen the plug slightly. If you can’t get it moving at all, hit the vice grips gently with a hammer. With a little patience, you will get it turning.

If the plug is cross-threaded or the oil pan threads are also damaged, you might need to put forth even more effort. The vice grips could cause more issues by stripping the head further. In this case, it might be better to use a socket instead.

3. Unscrew It

You don’t want to attempt removing the plug until it has been loosened. Some people use a flathead screwdriver to pry it out, but this is not a good idea.

The screwdriver can easily damage your oil pan, which cannot be repaired. You will be looking at a much more expensive repair if you harm the oil pan.

How to Repair the Oil Pan Hole

1. Get a Drain Plug Repair Kit

If you are trying to repair the hole in your oil pan, you want to get a complete kit to finish the job. These drain plug repair kits come with a reaming bit to get out any of the old thread.

The kit will also include tools of varying sizes. You will be able to use this kit in the future for other projects, from the automotive gearbox to your household sump pump.

You can use one of these kits down below. This is an affiliate link and this means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

2. Eliminate Damaged Threads

The reaming bit must be used on the damaged threads. Continue to work away on them until all of the damage is removed.

By using this kit, you can give the surface a renewed finish. Once that’s done, it will hold a new plug without any issues unless you strip it again.

3. Tap Out New Threads

You will need to choose the appropriately-sized tap to thread the hole. Your kit should come with several to pick from. Using this tool helps you to cut new threads in the hole.

These new threads will be used to hold onto the drain plug. Make sure you rotate the tap several times, moving clockwise. When you are done going that way, take it back one to two times counterclockwise.

You want to repeat this process several times. It is done when the tap gets through the entire depth of the hole in the oil drain pan. Once the threads are completed, it’s best to take a look at the work. You want all of the threads to appear even and there shouldn’t be an excessive amount of metal shavings left behind.

4. Flush Oil Pan

To ensure there aren’t metal shavings, it’s a good practice to flush the system before adding the fresh oil. When you are done tapping, flush the system with ½- to 1-quart of motor oil.

When you drain this oil out, the metal shavings should come with it. If you don’t do this step, you risk having metal pieces flowing through the oil and motor, thereby leading to permanent damage.

RELATED: How to Change the Oil in Your Car (5 Easy Steps)

5. Install New Plug

It’s time to put that new drain plug in the hole. Thread the plug into the fixed drain hole. At first, you should be very careful. If anything feels awkward, it’s best to take another look at it before you shove the drain plug inside.

Torque the new drain plug to factory specifications. When you are finished, inspect the sealing washer to ensure it is evenly placed around the hole’s perimeter for a good fit.

6. Refill System & Check

You want to check any work that you perform on your vehicle and this job is no different. It’s important that you inspect your repair for any sign of leaks. Fill the engine with new oil, using the proper amount as outlined by the manufacturer. If there are no leaks at first, start the engine.

With the motor running, you want to perform another inspection. If you don’t see anything, take the vehicle around the block. After this test drive, everything should remain completely dry if you performed the fix correctly.

If there are leaks, don’t drive the car. You need to start back over and figure out what went wrong. The job isn’t complete until no more oil is seeping through.

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