Stuck oil bolt

[geoffquad2004]

Today I tried to change my oil for the first time by myself. I cannot get the bolt to the oil pan loose. Previously the guys at 5 min oil changed it. I guess they used a power drill to tighten it back on, because I cannot loosen it by hand. Does anyone have any tips on how to get the bolt loose?

 

[lounge lizard]

put a wrench on it and carefully hit it with a hammer.

 

[F15E_WSO]

Cheater pipe?

This happened years ago to me too. 15 min lube joints ( I was TDY overseas so my wife takes the 92 Explorer) loses the nylon bushing that used to be on the oil pan bolt, so rather than have it leak they put an air-wrench/hammer to it. OMG was it a nightmare. I get it off with a cheater pipe. Well I still have no nylon bushing either so I send my wife to Ford for a new bolt. Well they think she is crazy, no one can drive in with no oil pan bolt (nevermind she is in my Mustang) and clearly this "little lady" has no clue what she is asking for so again she tells them she wants the oil pan bolt with bushing for a 92 explorer! More "little lady" telling her she needs a filter. Well SHE blows a gasket and rips them all an new arsehole for not listening to her and giving her what she asked for rather than assuming she is a woman and no nothing about cars. She walked out of there with a bolt and it was free.....

 

[Joe Dirt]

put a wrench on it and carefully hit it with a hammer.

Works!

Same fix for those stupid TPS screws... Tap the top of the screwdriver to crack them loose before you strip the heads on those damn soft as lead bolts.

 

[username1]

i always out the wrench on then hit it with a rubber mallet

 

[marragtop]

Put a piece of pipe on the handle of your breaker bar to give you more leverage. Also, use a 6 point socket to prevent rounding the head of the bolt.

 

[FarmTruk]

And don't forget to pick up a new oil drain plug, w/washer, to reinstall.

 

[1AJeremyD]

I used to have people come in all the time and say that we used power tools on the threads! It mainly has to do with leverage. A guy laying on the ground can't use all his weight like a guy standing up. Someone asked me one time to loosen his drain plug for him.....I told him it will cost him $35.99.....the cost of the oil change and filter lol.

I would do a double wrench looping on wrench through the box end of the other and giving that a try. Either that or hold the wrench with one hand and use your other and smash your hand to loosen it. That always worked for me but I can't feel my palm anymore hahah

 

[FarmTruk]

Another thing to remember is "lefty loosey, righty tighty"...

Upside down, under a vehicle, it can be disorienting sometimes. I've found myself tightening bolts when I wanted them loosened, and vice verse.

 

[geoffquad2004]

So I got it off and the oil changed. Thanks to my assistant manager at work, and a 1/2" socket. Guess I'm just not swoll enough. Lol. Thanks everyone who submitted their thoughts. Greatly appreciated.

 

[Roadrunner777]

Another thing to remember is "lefty loosey, righty tighty"...

Upside down, under a vehicle, it can be disorienting sometimes. I've found myself tightening bolts when I wanted them loosened, and vice verse.

+1 because of personal experience. I get brake bleeders backwards every time. Actually, for anyone's future reference, I would take it back to the quick change place and ask them to retorque it properly. It was their mistake and liability. If you strip the bolt, it's really not their fault anymore. Otherwise, I'd go with the tightest fitting 6-point socket I owned, and an impact wrench. Sometimes the shock of an impact will work better than slow torque. I might even try a pinch of sand in the socket for traction.