Stuck sump plug

[Tomkinsm]

I tried to do an oil change today but could not undo the sump plug. Not only is it stuck, the nut is now almost round.

Does anyone have any tricks to get this out? I can't get any kind of torque on the plug because of the nut being so worn. I've tried filing the flats a little to get some purchase with a spanner, but no luck. Drills and 'easy outs' aren't an option at the moment because I have no power.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Captain Flack]

A plumbers stilson wrench will undo the plug as it tightens it's grip the more pressure you put on it. It's always worked for me when I've has a similar problem.

 

[C220GJS]

Has come up regularly,do a search and you will see what has been suggested, meantime; http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=18795&highlight=sump+plug.
Good luck,but don't despair, if all else fails you can suck the oil out using a Topender as used for boat engines.
Geo.

 

[television]

Getting it hot with a blow lamp can work, the alli will expand more than the steel sump plug.

Malcolm

 

[Tomkinsm]

Thanks for all your help. Will have another go tomorrow.

Its not going well today; just kerbed my new alloy on one of those granite kerb stones.

 

[turnipsock]

There are a couple of one size fits all spanner things you can get that tighten the more more pressure you put on. It might be easier to get that on than a stilson.

 

[Ian Brown]

This is the tool you want the more you loosen the tighter the grip

 

[Stevie A]

You can get a Sealey or Mityvac vacuum pump and pump it out up throught the dipstick. It is a good easy way to change oil. I have a Sealey pump for this.

 

[Hibbo]

I had this problem too. I filed (what was left of) the flats down a bit and forced the next size down socket (16mm I think) on with a hammer. That got it out!
As Malcolm says, heat is always as good idea for siezed threads.

 

[Tomkinsm]

Thanks everyone. After a long time of filing, heating, bashing etc, it came undone. I'd almost given up, but my Dad finally got it undone by hammering quite an undersized socket onto it.

The head of the plug is actually quite small for the size of the thread, which is probably done so that its not to be torqued up too much. Downside is that it can be easily damaged and is small for getting a good grip on when stuck/damaged.

I recommend you don't tighten them too much, and if they're looking a bit worn, replace them. There seem to be a number of people who've had this problem.

Thanks!

 

[television]

Thanks for posting the outcome and good luck with the rest of the service.

Malcolm

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Make sure you get a new copper washer with your new sump plug.

Personally I don't use torque wrenches. I just push it tight with the socket, then give it 2 or 3 hard shoves, and its good.

 

[big x]

Make sure you get a new copper washer with your new sump plug.

Personally I don't use torque wrenches. I just push it tight with the socket, then give it 2 or 3 hard shoves, and its good.

That's much to tight ! It really is lightly done up (25-30Nm) using the correct torque figure.
So many problems down the line are caused by even experienced MB mechanics doing bolts up with to much force.

adam

 

[wireman]

My tip is use a short ring spanner or combination and pull using your little finger only, if it hurts it may be a wee shade tight.
A new copper washer is a must, but in emergency cook the old one red hot in a gas flame then drop it in cold water to aneal it and you should get a good seal at a nice low tightening torque.

 

[carabind]

if you can't get a new copper washer, (ie sunday afternoon etc) and have a bit of red hermitite lying around, smear a bit of this on both sides of the washer, it should last till next time (well, mine did!)

 

[Tomkinsm]

I bought my new sump plug from the mercedes dealer and it came with an aliminium washer. Probably not much different.

I was told today that the Snap-on sockets and ring spanners have a unique design which means they drive on the flats and not on the corners. Normal sockets, especially the cheaper ones will slip if the corners of your nut are rounded.

 

[kebo57]

I tried to do an oil change today but could not undo the sump plug. Not only is it stuck, the nut is now almost round.

Does anyone have any tricks to get this out? I can't get any kind of torque on the plug because of the nut being so worn. I've tried filing the flats a little to get some purchase with a spanner, but no luck. Drills and 'easy outs' aren't an option at the moment because I have no power.

Any help would be appreciated!

Try a 6 sided socket our spanner most sockets have twelve sides so it must have double the sheering properties of a 12 sided socket, like a wheel brace can’t remember ever rounding of a wheel nut of.

 

[frank133]

had the same probleme on a 1987 190e i used a small cold chiisel to tap the bolt round there was hardly any bolt head left but i got it out .then being sunday couldnt get new sump bolt welded a 15mm nut on the end works fine for me hope this helps

 

[kanda]

I tried to do an oil change today but could not undo the sump plug. Not only is it stuck, the nut is now almost round.

Does anyone have any tricks to get this out? I can't get any kind of torque on the plug because of the nut being so worn. I've tried filing the flats a little to get some purchase with a spanner, but no luck. Drills and 'easy outs' aren't an option at the moment because I have no power.

Yes use a good grib plier and make sure you grib it thight and turn it. I did it on mine and it worked.
This bolt on MB it really too small and do not thighten it too thight.

 

[RonH]

Did you know...

that a 13mm. socket on a sump bolt has a slight tolerance.A 1/2in. imperial socket is, in fact, a perfect fit with no tolerance at all.If the head of the bolt is not graunched in the first place, then a six sided 1/2in. socket is the tool to remove and replace them.........less likely to slip whilst laying on you side doing contorsions under the front end of you motor whilst doing an oil change!.