Cant get damn Drain plug out!!

[geordieclio86]

Hi all, my first post on the site please go easy on me lol

Got a 2004 1.2 16v need to change the oil but cant seem to get the drain plug out. Bought the corect tool for the job but the damn thing wont move its just rounding off the hole!!

Really starting to lose my patience with this now, anyone had this experience before if so how did you get round it? Thanks

 

[Jamesstone]

Assuming its the square key which my old 1.2 & 172 used you really shouldnt be rounding that off unless you are using the wrong size or trying to do it at an angle, i had fun getting the one off my 1.2, ended up using the 18v makita impact :approve: , though you should never use impacts etc to tighten them up, torque wrench is the toy for that

 

[blakey]

you need to heat round the bung with a oxy acetaline torch and maybe get some mole grips or a chisel on it.

Heating it will make the job easy

 

[dan.taylor.1]

is it a round plug or does it have a hex shape? if its hex, put a spanner on it and use the tool in the centre spread the load a bit

 

[geordieclio86]

Thanks for the replys guys!

Tried mole grips and pliers but that much force is needed the tool is moving inside the hole! Would heating that area be a good idea obviously with oil being on the other side?

 

[dan.taylor.1]

yes and no depends how careful you are, have you tried hitting it with a chisel to crack it off the use the tool to undo it. oh and get a new one from renault for when you do get it out!"

 

[Beef-Mc]

8mm square key is what your needing.

What are you using?

 

[Jamesstone]

If its rounded off heating up is not gonna just make it loose, yes it will help but it sounds more like your using the wrong tools for the job, have been there done that when i was younger.. think we all have lol, halfords sell a full drain plug / sump keys for under a £10 there made by LAZER, used them on alot of cars now & not had one problem

 

[geordieclio86]

yes and no depends how careful you are, have you tried hitting it with a chisel to crack it off the use the tool to undo it. oh and get a new one from renault for when you do get it out!"

lol I'll bear that in mind using a universal tool from Halfrauds seems to be a snug fit in the hole. Even tried using a trolley jack to press the tool firmly in the hole then using pliers to turn it.

 

[lemonnobby]

sounds odd. never had that before. dont heat it if its a cast sump may crack

 

[geordieclio86]

have spoken to garage about this they were reluctant to touch it because as they said if ithe bolt breaks it means new sump, or does it?

 

[JonC]

Think you'll have to forget the plug as you may cause more damage. Get an oil extractor like one of these:

You extract the oil from the dip stick tube.

 

[geordieclio86]

Think you'll have to forget the plug as you may cause more damage. Get an oil extractor like one of these:

You extract the oil from the dip stick tube.

Heard someone mention these before are these any good and where could i get one? As ive just about had it with this plug.

 

[Rich]

My 306 one was like that, spray of penetrating fluid and a long bar and it moved !

 

[lemonnobby]

yea are you using a bar on it?

 

[JonC]

Heard someone mention these before are these any good and where could i get one? As ive just about had it with this plug.

That someone was probably me! I have one and makes oil changing a doddle. No need to get under the car. Just feed the extraction tube into the dipstick tube and suck out the oil. This is where I got mine. 6ltre capacity should be enough.

http://www.cdet.co.uk/catalogue/product/default.asp?productid=PL6000

 

[Sir_Dave]

I had this same issue with the universal Halfords tool as the metal is too soft. Go back and tell them you want a square 8mm tool for your socket set. It will then undo in approx. 1 minute like mine did tonight ...

I wasted all day Sunday trying to get my drain plug out as Renault had tightened it up to approx. 5 billion torques!!

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Think you'll have to forget the plug as you may cause more damage. Get an oil extractor like one of these:

You extract the oil from the dip stick tube.

Seems a bit OTT if you ask me . If your doing oil changes all day long fair enough , but for the amatuer home mechanic it seems a little expensive for an oil change once every blue moon imo . 30 odd quid

Just get the right tool in the first place and you'll have no problems . Cost about 5 quid

 

[mattjk]

The correct tool unless some monkey has done it uber tight or not been undone for ages should suffice

 

[Alastair.]

lol thats funny, rounding off the sump plug!

 

[stan*]

is it the tool thats rounded or the actual plug?

either way, a bar or heat isnt going to help if you cant turn the plug!

get it up in the air, get underneath it, and tap it round with a chissel.

Though saying that (and i dont mean this in a nasty way) if you were unfortunate enough to round the plug, maybe you should get a professional on the job.

 

[NIN-172]

I took an old socket extention & filed the square on the end down until it was the right size square. Then it came out pretty easy.

If you haven't got it out yet though & the car is mobile go get the tool for it.

Also get a spare bolt from Renault so you aren't putting that old knackered one back in.

 

[JonC]

Seems a bit OTT if you ask me . If your doing oil changes all day long fair enough , but for the amatuer home mechanic it seems a little expensive for an oil change once every blue moon imo . 30 odd quid

Just get the right tool in the first place and you'll have no problems . Cost about 5 quid

May seem OTT but you pay for the ease and convenience. Besides the time wasted, how much will it cost to get the rounded off plug replaced?

 

[sideways danny]

Think you'll have to forget the plug as you may cause more damage. Get an oil extractor like one of these:

You extract the oil from the dip stick tube.

Seems a bit OTT if you ask me . If your doing oil changes all day long fair enough , but for the amatuer home mechanic it seems a little expensive for an oil change once every blue moon imo . 30 odd quid

Just get the right tool in the first place and you'll have no problems . Cost about 5 quid

exact socket I have and have had for about 8 years.

if the plug is really rounded off there's ways to get round it, but pretty brutal. try the right tool first as i dont want to give the brutal method until you've tried the right tool

 

[White16valver]

Mine's rounded off too

Now have a new sump plug, washer, and that square thing above.

Just have to get a pair of molegrips on the rounded one and hope the fecker comes out... :S

 

[SBV116]

Hammer & chisel! never fails!!!! just dont miss!

 

[blakey]

I worked in a garage for 5 year and heating round the plug will be the best way, and then using mole grips or chisel get it out. The heat expands the sump. It wont crack, it does not need to be glowing red.

 

[geordieclio86]

Thanks for all the replys guys but ive plumped for an extractor pump as previously stated you pay for the convenience doesnt add up spending hours under the car trying to get the darn thing out.

 

[Jamesstone]

Cant for the life of me who told me about why you shouldnt use those extracter things, if they were that good then all the garages would be using it if £30 saves you say 30 minutes labour, per car!

 

[MT AUDIO]

it isnt gonna get all that crap outta the bottom of the tank though using that

 

[JonC]

All the crap will be in the filter. If you're talking about sludge, etc, then you're using poor quality oil or not changing it regularly. I get around 5ltrs out of my Trophy with the extractor, how much more should I be taking out?! Incidentally, I heard many and have seen a few garages using these extractors, from regular dealerships, independant garages and specialist tuners.

 

[andrebailliesearle]

Or do what i had to and weld a nut on the sump plug then using a socket and breaker bar undo it, weld in the middle of the nut and the outside lol