sump plug stuck solid

**whipsey** · 02-02-2011,01:52 PM

ive been trying to remove the sump plug on my car to do an oil change but its jammed solid so now its pretty much chewed to pieces where it keeps breaking up i've tried heating it up with a blow torch to try and release it but nothin seems to work its causig me a bind at the minute as i've already added a type of engine flush luckily i picked one that you could drive around with it in prior to the oil change so i could drive home

**leighmagill** · 02-02-2011,03:33 PM

try hammering a socket one size smaller than the sump plug ( assuming it's head is like a bolt, not a recessed hex or spline? ) then use an extension bar to give you some leverage.

However, be prepared, if it is stuck solid, the head may shear off!! then you'll be needing a drill and an easy-out.

Good luck!

**whipsey** · 02-02-2011,05:43 PM

it is stuck solid i've tried spanners sockets vice grips even irwin sockets for rounded off nuts etc nothings budging it just breakin it up more

**iwaters** · 02-02-2011,05:57 PM

Given that it sounds like the head is completly rounded off using a 6 point socket and/or impact wrench is unlikely to work. Do you have a breaker bar you could use with the Irwin sockets to impart more torque on it?

Do you have the oil level sensor on your sump? You could drain the oil out of that.

Other than that you are going to have to weld another nut on to it or drill it out.

**whipsey** · 02-02-2011,06:16 PM

i'm not sure on the oil level sensor i will have a look for it the irwin sockets just pull round with the small wratchet so not sure a longer bar would help to be honest

**fourringsrus** · 02-02-2011,08:26 PM

I would also weld a big meaty bolt to the plug

**phil miller** · 02-02-2011,08:31 PM

is it an alloy sump? was it you who changed the oil last time?

as above you can weld a desent nut onto it but you will have to turn the power up on the welder and get good penration on the plug

mystic.bertie · 02-02-2011,10:19 PM

this may or may not work, depending if its the head thats tight against the sump or the actual thread thats siezed, get a heavy punch and batter it into the centre of the plug with a heavy hammer, this stretches the head away from the threads, now try to loosen it off any way you can, try 'chiseling' it out with a chisel and hammer anti clockwise ie chisel on the outer diameter and hammer it in a circular direction to loosen it.

**Crasher** · 02-02-2011,10:23 PM

As a guess this will be a 1.8 20 valve ADR engine. Those sump plugs are renowned for jamming in and I often have to use a long ½” drive breaker bar and always use a six sided 17-mm socket.