Stripped Oil Plug

[Rockpick]

I crawled under our 04' Explorer for the first time today to discover that the oil plug is stripped. I have no way to check to see if the pan threads are stripped as I don't have another form of transportation at the moment (wife has the truck until tomorrow).

Anyone else have this happen? I'm certain that the dealership caused the mishap but, if it's a simple plug replace, I'll handle it to avoid the 'he said/she said' that I'll encounter if I pull into service.

Will the plug typically strip before the pan threads strip?

HELP!

Thanks guys!

RP

 

[MONMIX]

Murpheys law dictates that the threads on the pan have gone south.

Reality dictates it really could be either or both.

Good luck on this one.

 

[Rockpick]

Thanks for the response...Is the pan aluminum on the 4.6?

 

[spindlecone]

Pan Is steel
Go to AZ or peps, they sell oversize self tapping plugs

 

[Rockpick]

Well, thank goodness for great neighbors...

He's going to run me down to the local autoparts shop which closes in an hour... I'll snare a plug there. I just pray it's just a plug.

If it's not, I'll be going for one of the plug fix-it's like you mentioned....

Should I be worried about shavings from the self-tap? I certainly would like to keep that out of the pan if at all possible... thoughts?

Thanks a bunch for the help guys... I sincerely appreciate it!!

-RP-

 

[Rockpick]

Pan is stripped too... *sighs*

 

[spindlecone]

Bummer, all is not lost, stands to reason if the plug is stripped, so will the pan.
Most auto parts stores sell a thread chasing tap and plug (look in the help section) we have them at kragens, AZ, and peps.
They work well, your only other option is a new pan, and fit it with a fumoto valve, will never be a problem again, good luck

 

[Rockpick]

Well, as irony would have it....

I had purchased a FUMOTO for my 05' King Ranch F-150... after a bit of investigation, the plug is the same for the Explorer's 4.6L as it is for my 5.4L.... SOOOOOOOOO.... after a borrowed tap from another neighbor down the road, a glob of grease on the tap (to snag shavings), and an installed Fumoto, I'm 100% back in business.

I ran it down the interstate and, let's just say, 'pushed it' in an attempt to keep the pressure high. Additionally, I found a vacant road and did several stop and go's under heavy acceleration to, again, drive up pressure...

Drove it into a vacant lot, snagged the flashlight, checked for leaks... Absolutely none.

So, at this point, I'm getting ready to jump back on www.fumotovalve.com and snag another one (with a nipple) to replace what I just used.

What I thought was going to be a ROYAL PITA turned out to be a positive. Especially considering that pan removal with the AWD was going to be a really really big job...

Thanks for the help and guidance guys... I sincerely appreciate it.

RP

 

[MONMIX]

Murpheys law strikes again.

Glad to hear about the happy ending

 

[spindlecone]

Don't think the pan ever sees any positive pressure, but glad all worked out, your good to go, drive on driver

 

[Rockpick]

You're right... it doesn't. I suppose I wasn't thinking along the right lines in my moment of bliss (after fixing it)... I guess heating up the oil would be the only reason to accelerate leakage...

I'm a bonehead. LOL!

I'll watch it for the next few days... and pray for no leakage.

 

[spindlecone]

You're right... it doesn't. I suppose I wasn't thinking along the right lines in my moment of bliss (after fixing it)... I guess heating up the oil would be the only reason to accelerate leakage...

I'm a bonehead. LOL!

I'll watch it for the next few days... and pray for no leakage.

Dude, your only 30, in another 30 yrs, you will understand the true meaning of praying for no leakage hope all works out

 

[KC's Ford]

I've had the Dealer change my oil since new because they kept sending me coupons for $15 oil changes.One oil change they striped the threads and replaced the pan for free.When I looked at the threads on the pan they were plastic and the nut which held the plug had split in half.The pan was metal.Maybe someone who works on Fords full time can confirm this.But if you were to stick your finger in the drain hole and felt only half of the treads its time to change the pan.that fumtovalve looks like a good device they been using something like this on small aircraft for a long time.

 

[aldive]

Get one of these and never worry about stripped threads again - http://www.fumotovalve.com/