Oil and spark plug change

[White Bullet]

Well; I just completed half of this effort. The oil change was a no go. I could not get the drain plug to come loose. I had the car on ramps and me on my back. Using a boxed end wrench I was moving the car and getting nowhere. I was thinking of using a hammer on the wrench but decided against it. Plan B is to take the car to the truck shop at work and get it up in the air. Hopefully I will be able to loosen the plug at which point I will hand tighten it and take it home for the oil change. Man what a bummer. The spark plug change went very well. I have changed plugs on an L98 and LT1 and compared to them this was a walk in the park. Getting the right tools helped. The tips section on the registry pointed out the needed tools (2" extension; 5/8 plug socket with swivel; and pivoted racket). There was one plug that I did have difficulty with as is was binding when backing out. I was able to work it back and forth until it came out. Man there were some scary thoughts going through my head while this was going on. The new plug went in without any problems and the motor ran just fine.


Any thoughts on the oil drain plug? Thanks.

[Aurora40]

Maybe some heat to loosen the oil drain plug? You'd think the thing would stay well lubed to not bind up, what with it holding oil in and whatnot... Just be careful with the pan, as it is aluminum.

[zipnz]

just to clarify: aren't the oil pans made of magnesium?

[Jeffvette]

just to clarify: aren't the oil pans made of magnesium?

No, they are alum.

[Jeffvette]

Any thoughts on the oil drain plug? Thanks.

Don't use a box wrench. Use a longer ratchet and appropriate socket to get the leverage you need.

[White Bullet]

Don't use a box wrench. Use a longer ratchet and appropriate socket to get the leverage you need.
I have changed oil in other cars before and have not had the difficulty I am having with this one. Is this common or am I being to careful :icon_scra?

[Jeffvette]

More than likely some person got overzealous in the tightening down of the plug. A nice long ratchet wrench will help apply the TQ needed to break it loose. A box wrench won't let you do that, unless you have a long handle box wrench.

[jonszr1]

one addition would be to make sure you are using a 6 pt socket. if you have air wrenches you could use one of them on the lower settings . just a few thoughts hope they help

[karterdon]

I also would suggest that you use a 6 point socket and a long handled wratchet - maybe even a breaker bar - make certain that it fits tight. If not you will be in for some additional work to get it out. Using an air ratchet would also help as previously suggested - That slight bit of vibration may help break it loose. When all else fails - Forget about removing the plug and get your self a mighty-vac. You can then suck the oil out of the engine. " You will get every bit of the oil out" I know - I just did it this weekend. The mighty-vac was around $70.00 i think. Someone posted it on the forum - So I ordered one. You will also need an Air Compressor. Save yourself from going under the car each time. I just did a complete exhaust change and a Hurst shifter install - I am way to old to do this again- My Body (Aches & Pain) told me so.

Good Luck - :thumbsup:
Don Yoakem
91-#267 Dark Red Met.

[Jeffvette]

When all else fails - Forget about removing the plug and get your self a mighty-vac. You can then suck the oil out of the engine. " You will get every bit of the oil out" I know - I just did it this weekend. The mighty-vac was around $70.00 i think. Someone posted it on the forum - So I ordered one. You will also need an Air Compressor. Save yourself from going under the car each time.


Glad to hear somebody bought one of those off my recomendation. I still suggest two. One for oil based liquids and another for regular liquids.

[White Bullet]

I know what you mean Don. I find that I am willing but at times my body says no way. Were did you get the mighty-vac and what size air compressor did you get? I would be interested in looking at this.

Jeffvette
Thanks for the tips I am sure once I can get under the car while standing that I should be able to loosen the bad boy. I was wondering weather an electric impact wrench would do here. I do not have any air tools or equipment and this seems do able. The other reason I am considering this is when I replaced the radiator I could not get the thermostat housing bolts loose (seems to be a reoccurring theme). With an electric wrench I would not have to send as much to loosen problem bolts. Is the electric wrench an option?

[Jeffvette]

I try not to use air tools for certain jobs. The oil pan bolt is one of them. I have a long 3/8 snap on wrench that is about 17" long, that allows me to get enough ooomph on it.

Same thing with the thermostat housing bolts. just use a longer ratchet.


On the sucker, here is the thread.

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5052

[karterdon]

The post that Jeffvette placed with the mighty vac is where i got mine from and it worked great. As for an Air compressor - You can go to Sears and Pick one up. Get one large enough in HP and capacity that will work with your air tools - Usually something with a tank size of 25 - 30 Gal. and A rating of 150 PSI - I think that is what the Sears unit is - Price is about $350 or so. You will also need to get some additional male & Female fittings and air hose as well. I don't think the Myty VAc came with a Female fitting.

Best of Luck - :thumbsup:
Don Yoakem
91-#267 Dark Red Met.

[95ZR1]

That sucker looks very similar to the Moeller I use on my boat and my cars.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&keyword=oil+extractor&Ntt=oil+extractor&N=377+710&y=13&x=28&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch

[White Bullet]

That sucker looks very similar to the Moeller I use on my boat and my cars.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?catalogId=10001&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&keyword=oil+extractor&Ntt=oil+extractor&N=377+710&y=13&x=28&storeId=10001&Ntk=Primary+Search&ddkey=SiteSearch
That's perfect:dancing. Thanks 95ZR1:handshak:.

[Norsky4360]

This may sound nutz (I thought it was when I first heard it) but give it a try. After getting the correct fit on the socket give the plug a tug tightening it first, then try loosening it. A GM Master Tech friend told me about it and it has worked countless times for me when a plug, bolt, or nut won't budge on the first try.

[White Bullet]

This may sound nutz (I thought it was when I first heard it) but give it a try. After getting the correct fit on the socket give the plug a tug tightening it first, then try loosening it. A GM Master Tech friend told me about it and it has worked countless times for me when a plug, bolt, or nut won't budge on the first try.

Thanks Norsky4306. I may have tried it once or twice by accident as I was moving the car in both directions with the socket attached to the drain plug. But me I am getting older and have decided to and have purchased a fluid extractor to do the oil changes with and will leave the drain plug alone. Heck if it does not want to move why should I mess with it ;) besides this seems like an easier way to accomplish this task.

[95ZR1]

David, just an FYI, but on the MerCruiser Marine engines, the dipstick tube extends down to the bottom of the oil pan by the drain plug. The top of the tube has a threaded ring on it so you can screw your hand pump right onto the dipstick tube. Just screw it on, pump the handle, and out comes the oil. If you bought the Moeller pump I told you about, one of the 3 tubes you get with the pump is just a rubber gasket that fits into the top of a MerCruiser dipstick - no need to even snake the longer tube down the dipstick.

[White Bullet]

95ZR1, I purchased the one you suggested and it is the ticket:thumbsup:. It arrived today and I have already changed the oil. It was the easiest oil change I have ever done; period! It was about a quart low and the system pulled out right at nine quarts. I used my car jack to raise the car up on the opposite side to encourage the oil to the dipstick side. Thanks for you help hope to be able to return it some day:handshak:. David.