How the hell can i get this off?

[Saxo_Walton]

Hey guys,
The car is in desperate need of servicing!
Got all the things to do it, so after doing everything pre-oil change i jacked her up, put her on axle stands and got under, only to find who ever last did the oil change decided to be clever and round off the hex nut, so my spanners went straight out the window, borrowed some mole grips from a friend and that just made it worse to be honest, so not only is the oil sump plug/bolt on MEGA tight but its also rounded off
Any idea's that don't involve taking the whole sump off and replacing it?

[Saxo_Walton]

Turns out i need a 'sump key' never knew that lol now im off to locate one :/
Maybe halfords or my local car parts place will have them, ill ring them tomorrow and see

[SnakeVTR]

The sump plug should have a square hole in the centre for a tool

[welshpug]

halfords do them for about £3, its the 8mm one you need.


LOL

[Saxo_Walton]

thanks guys yeah i wondered what the square hole was LOL
Will ring up halfords tomorrow

[f13sta]

If its rounded off then I'd change it also
The square key isn't the best option. But a good idea for this situation.

[Kebabman]

Originally Posted by f13sta

If its rounded off then I'd change it also
The square key isn't the best option. But a good idea for this situation.

Why is it not the best option? It's what I've always used on these sort of plugs along with many other people, it's the whole reason the 8mm square whole is there...

[f13sta]

Originally Posted by Kebabman

Why is it not the best option? It's what I've always used on these sort of plugs along with many other people, it's the whole reason the 8mm square whole is there...

If it were ment to be the sole way to undo it then there would be the 24mm option. It's be like a polo with the Allen key.

The 24mm is always going to be the best option IMHO.
And doing it daily as a job I know how the square plug can be a pain.

[Saxo_Walton]

looked online at halfords and this tool i need is £5 so ill get that and HOPEFULLY that will get it off and ill stick a hole new sump plug and gasket on it.
Lets just say this tool doesn't work what could i do then? lol

[robster247]

If it doesn't work, which it will. Just go to a scrap yard and find a decent sump (if they haven't punctured a hole in them to drain the oil as most do)

[Saxo_Walton]

Ok mate thanks for all the advice guys, ill go buy the tool piece soon and crack on with it, ill update later as to wether i got the tw*t off or not!

[Kebabman]

Originally Posted by f13sta

If it were ment to be the sole way to undo it then there would be the 24mm option. It's be like a polo with the Allen key.

The 24mm is always going to be the best option IMHO.
And doing it daily as a job I know how the square plug can be a pain.

This has intrigued me a bit. Firstly because there is obviously the 24mm option as well. If that was the sole way to undo it, why would there be the 8mm square plug (on that note I can only presume you meant to say "wouldn't", instead of "would" in your first sentence).

Secondly, I am pretty interested to see why the square plug would be a pain. I have always used this method so if there is some reason as to why it isn't as good I'd be genuinely interested. To me it has always seemed a lot more fool proof and I have used it every time. Lots less chance of rounding it off etc.

[Saxo_Walton]

Well i tried to get the plug using the hex nut and NOT the square plug hole at first which failed miserably! ended up with a complete rounded off nut, went halfords and bought an 8mm square plug tool for £5 and will alot of strength (was on VERY tight) i got the sucker off so im made up now, thanks guys!

[stevo67]

Originally Posted by Saxo_Walton

Well i tried to get the plug using the hex nut and NOT the square plug hole at first which failed miserably! ended up with a complete rounded off nut, went halfords and bought an 8mm square plug tool for £5 and will alot of strength (was on VERY tight) i got the sucker off so im made up now, thanks guys!

Just for future referance run the engine up till its hot,switch off then undo the sump plug.Expansion will help to get the plug off.

[Saxo_Walton]

Originally Posted by stevo67

Just for future referance run the engine up till its hot,switch off then undo the sump plug.Expansion will help to get the plug off.

I forgot to mention i did that mate because i also used engine flush which told me i had to run the engine at 2k revs for 10minutes.

[chinkostu]

Originally Posted by Kebabman

This has intrigued me a bit. Firstly because there is obviously the 24mm option as well. If that was the sole way to undo it, why would there be the 8mm square plug (on that note I can only presume you meant to say "wouldn't", instead of "would" in your first sentence).

Secondly, I am pretty interested to see why the square plug would be a pain. I have always used this method so if there is some reason as to why it isn't as good I'd be genuinely interested. To me it has always seemed a lot more fool proof and I have used it every time. Lots less chance of rounding it off etc.

plus the fact the same plug size is used for the gearbox fill/drain as they're round bolts. last time i tried to use a 24 to get the sump plug off i hit myself in the face as it rounded straight off

[Saxo_Walton]

Originally Posted by chinkostu

plus the fact the same plug size is used for the gearbox fill/drain as they're round bolts. last time i tried to use a 24 to get the sump plug off i hit myself in the face as it rounded straight off

I could honestly see myself doing this!

[sexy_gt]

Originally Posted by Saxo_Walton

I could honestly see myself doing this!

ROFL. Been there with a steering wheel.

[Ben_SaxoForte]

I find giving the end of the spanner (or whatever you are using to undo the plug) a few taps with a hammer usually helps loosen it off if its a bit stuck.

[scottie_436]

Originally Posted by sexy_gt

ROFL. Been there with a steering wheel.

You and me both bruver!

Lol