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Suggestions for removing stripped drain plug

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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 06:37 AM
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From: Lyndon KS
Suggestions for removing stripped drain plug

Went to change teh oil on the "new to me' truck yesterday, and found that the drain plug was rounded off....wrench wont grab it...
so got out the trusty " one size fits all" vise-grips and locked'em down tight and tryed to remove the plug....bad idea.
no luck.. that thing is in there like it was welded, and now( thanks to my prowness with tools) is as round as a marble...

Any suggestions on getting the dern thing out????????

BTW anybody know the proper size, so I can find a replacement?
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 06:51 AM
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From: Nebraska
Wow! At this point you might try the vise grips and alittle heat. Not too much though, you'll cook the oil. Are you turning it the "right" way? Lefty loosy. If that don't work you'll have to drill it out. Can you remove the pan?

Heat it up and use a pipe wrench?

Get a new plug at a cummins shop.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 07:31 AM
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From: Lyndon KS
Not being from Nebraska, "lefty loosey-rightey tightey" is something I stopped saying in grade school.... Tho I have heard that is how they teach the NU football team to turn on the showers.......

Tryed heating it a little, but was worried about baking oil to the inside of the pan..

Didnt think of the monkey wrench..... gonna have to try that if no-one chimes in with a better idea...

Not bad lizzie.......................
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 08:12 AM
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Try a small 8" pipe wrench. Worked for me.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Chrisreyn
Not being from Nebraska, "lefty loosey-rightey tightey" is something I stopped saying in grade school.... Tho I have heard that is how they teach the NU football team to turn on the showers.......
That's funny right there! I'm just surprise those big corn fed boys take showers! Don't worry Gieco, I'm still sad they lost!
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 09:15 AM
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Weld a nice large nut to it. That usually works for me on stuff like this...
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by 4RnrRick
Weld a nice large nut to it. That usually works for me on stuff like this...
Yep, your best bet would be to weld a large nut to it. Then get a new one from Cummins.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 09:34 AM
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A lot of times, tapping with a small hammer will help loosen things like that. Tap it on the left side with a chisel might help also. Then try the pipe wrench. Hold a good bind on it and tap on the plug at the same time.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 09:37 AM
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From: Smithfield, VA
Originally Posted by schaef_12
Yep, your best bet would be to weld a large nut to it. Then get a new one from Cummins.
Yep, that would be my last choice but effective. I would drill out the center of the plug with something close to a 1/4 inch drill which would drain the oil if you go through making a mess. Then use the size Easyout that fits in the hole good with a tap handle and attempt to remove the stuborn plug. If that fails, weld on a large nut. The tap handle applies torque without side loading the easyout when using two hands. If the easyout breaks you will need to weld the big nut as they are too hard to drill using conventional methods. Good luck. Oh! By the way, be careful if you are going to weld. You don't want to arc strike the pan and put a hole in it.
Another method that has worked for me in the past is to grind a slot into what is remaining of the plug head and try using a drag link driver and a breaker bar. Apply torque while you or a friend is rapping on the breaker bar to help seat it into the slot with a light no mark hammer or mallet.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 09:56 AM
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From: calgary
you could try to grind two flat spots of the sides of it so you could grab it with a wrench again.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 10:07 AM
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Lock the vise grips on as tight as they go. Then some tap tap taps with a hammer. Usally works for me. If not the weld a nut or grind some flats sound like good options.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 01:45 PM
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From: Nebraska
Originally Posted by Chrisreyn
Not being from Nebraska, "lefty loosey-rightey tightey" is something I stopped saying in grade school.... Tho I have heard that is how they teach the NU football team to turn on the showers.
Okay, Mr. Meanie. Get 4 pounds of C4 and place it next to the oil pan. Insert blasting cap light fuse and stay VERY close to watch for leaks.




You do know it's a left hand thread right?

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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 01:47 PM
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From: Stillwater, OK
Originally Posted by Geico266
Okay, Mr. Meanie. Get 4 pounds of C4 and place it next to the oil pan.


B12 + lit match = C4! Redneck math.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 01:52 PM
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From: Nebraska
Originally Posted by SRTchris
you could try to grind two flat spots of the sides of it so you could grab it with a wrench again.
or give it enough bite for a pipe wrench. Good idea.
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Old Jan 3, 2007 | 03:14 PM
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Here's what I would do.

Take a drill and drill a hole in the drain plug.

Tap threads into the hole.

Buy a plug that will fit the threads.


Now you have a brand new drain plug with half the fuss.
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