Oil pan bolt stripped threads

[Conrad 16.5]

I got it fixed. They, June, got it done. Ended up paying for the oil because I wasn't in the mood to argue for 80 dollars. Screw it. Just fix it. So, according with the mechanic who worked on my car, all that was needed was a new bolt, problem solved. I pointed out: "you know very well, no customer is allowed in the shop while maintenance is performed on his car. The customer has no choice but to trust you, the mechanic, that you do the proper maintenance. No customer will visually check the proper bolt installation, proper torque and so on right after the work completion or before leaving the dealer's parking lot. Will I have any problems with this bolt in the future? No sir, everything is good now. OK, thank you". End of story, payed for oil and left. At least, June dealer fixed it, relatively simply, I would say. Now, another thing pisses me of, quite frankly, about the second dealer, the guys who discovered the stripped bolt, yesterday: the fact that they were incapable of providing me with any options, troubleshooting, nothing. They went straight for the oil pan replacement, gross incompetence, in my opinion. And I remember watching them, yesterday, from a distance: four youngsters, mechanics, orbiting around my car, starring at their cellphones, car on jacks, nothing was happening. That's what we pay for: incompetence at a premium price. Dealer expertise... There is no dealer expertise or maybe very few good techs. Everybody else has no idea what to do without the scanner, the tablet that tells them how to do a certain task. Completely useless and a ripoff for customers.

Exactly HOW was it fixed?

New oil pan (that's what should have been done)?

Self-tapping drain plug (where do the metal shavings go with these?)?

"Now, another thing pisses me of, quite frankly, about the second dealer, the guys who discovered the stripped bolt, yesterday: the fact that they were incapable of providing me with any options, troubleshooting, nothing. They went straight for the oil pan replacement, gross incompetence, in my opinion."

Say what? There was ONLY ONE way to fix this properly and that's with a new oil pan. Sure, a self-tapping oil drain plug is a fix, not a proper fix, but a fix none the less. What did you want them to troubleshoot exactly?

"Everybody else has no idea what to do without the scanner, the tablet that tells them how to do a certain task. Completely useless and a ripoff for customers."

And that right there is exactly why a good portion of us here do our own work. Those who can, do, those who cannot, pay the price and take their chances.

 

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Every problem has at least two solutions - my math teacher used to say. How was it fixed? By replacing the bolt. One of these days I have to crawl under the car anyway and I’ll check the bolt and take some pictures.

 

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Exactly HOW was it fixed?

New oil pan (that's what should have been done)?

Self-tapping drain plug (where do the metal shavings go with these?)?

"Now, another thing pisses me of, quite frankly, about the second dealer, the guys who discovered the stripped bolt, yesterday: the fact that they were incapable of providing me with any options, troubleshooting, nothing. They went straight for the oil pan replacement, gross incompetence, in my opinion."

Say what? There was ONLY ONE way to fix this properly and that's with a new oil pan. Sure, a self-tapping oil drain plug is a fix, not a proper fix, but a fix none the less. What did you want them to troubleshoot exactly?

"Everybody else has no idea what to do without the scanner, the tablet that tells them how to do a certain task. Completely useless and a ripoff for customers."

And that right there is exactly why a good portion of us here do our own work. Those who can, do, those who cannot, pay the price and take their chances.

If you’re having a bad day, I’m sorry to hear that.

 

[Mazdiod2]

This article describes a number of different ways a drain plug can be repaired. Oversized plugs, rubber plug, JB weld (!), and a couple of special inserts (which are recommended).

A lot of these fixes are not really good, permanent repairs, according to the article. I know if I had this problem I would be interested in how the mechanic dealt with it.

How to Fix a Stripped Oil Drain Plug: A Comprehensive Guide

Struggling with a stripped oil drain plug? Discover the two most effective ways to fix the problem and keep your engine running smoothly.

ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com

 

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This article describes a number of different ways a drain plug can be repaired. Oversized plugs, rubber plug, JB weld (!), and a couple of special inserts (which are recommended).

A lot of these fixes are not really good, permanent repairs, according to the article. I know if I had this problem I would be interested in how the mechanic dealt with it.

How to Fix a Stripped Oil Drain Plug: A Comprehensive Guide

Struggling with a stripped oil drain plug? Discover the two most effective ways to fix the problem and keep your engine running smoothly.

ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com

Interesting article but I find it ironic that it ends with "Aluminum drain pan threads wear over time due to repeated use". So, in the end, it doesn't really matter , it will break one way or another. I prefer the tapping method over all the others. The author says that this method only lasts for about six oil changes. Why six? Why not five or seven? How do you get this number? And, at least in my case, changing oil at 7.500 miles, six oil changes means about two good years without problems! I can leave with that.

 

[Jmaz]

Interesting article but I find it ironic that it ends with "Aluminum drain pan threads wear over time due to repeated use". So, in the end, it doesn't really matter , it will break one way or another. I prefer the tapping method over all the others. The author says that this method only lasts for about six oil changes. Why six? Why not five or seven? How do you get this number? And, at least in my case, changing oil at 7.500 miles, six oil changes means about two good years without problems! I can leave with that.

I'd still crawl under to see how they "fixed" it. They botched it the first time so what says they did a proper (as possible) repair. Peace of mind is worth something.
Another thing. It doesn't hurt to be a little assertive if need be to have a repair facility show you something out in the shop. Through many years I've never had to be assertive or been denied when asking to see the issue with my vehicle in the shop. I want to see the problem they are talking about. Or even just what the transmission pan looks like before the mechanic cleans it as part of automatic transmission service. No problem. The mechanics have always been courteous and informative and you can learn a few things from them. And if it's still raised on the lift, it provides an opportunity to scope out the underside.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

If you’re having a bad day, I’m sorry to hear that.

How did you determine that I was having a bad day? I had a fantastic day yesterday! Even though Verizon was down most of the day here.

I'm not the one with a stripped oil pan bolt, nor am I the one with an improperly repaired oil pan, nor am I the one crying to the internet about it.

 

[sm1ke]

Just a friendly reminder to keep it civil guys. We are all here to share info and help each other - that also means that we should remain receptive and open-minded about the suggestions provided.

 

[madar]

Interesting article but I find it ironic that it ends with "Aluminum drain pan threads wear over time due to repeated use". So, in the end, it doesn't really matter , it will break one way or another. I prefer the tapping method over all the others. The author says that this method only lasts for about six oil changes. Why six? Why not five or seven? How do you get this number? And, at least in my case, changing oil at 7.500 miles, six oil changes means about two good years without problems! I can leave with that.

you don't have an aluminum pan, yours is steel.

 

[murky]

This article describes a number of different ways a drain plug can be repaired. Oversized plugs, rubber plug, JB weld (!), and a couple of special inserts (which are recommended).

A lot of these fixes are not really good, permanent repairs, according to the article. I know if I had this problem I would be interested in how the mechanic dealt with it.

How to Fix a Stripped Oil Drain Plug: A Comprehensive Guide

Struggling with a stripped oil drain plug? Discover the two most effective ways to fix the problem and keep your engine running smoothly.

ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com

Especially if its from the same dealership that previously quietly sent it out in the condition discovered by the next dealer and pictured by OP.

 

[Mazdiod2]

Especially if its from the same dealership that previously quietly sent it out in the condition discovered by the next dealer and pictured by OP.

No kidding! the guy could have at least spray painted the whole mess black, for a better appearance.

 

[ColtX-5]

Second dealer lied about the pan being aluminum, too. I'd quit going to either of them. One stripped the threads in a steel oil pan (over torqued) and the other tried to defraud you with a repair "deal". Now, the pan replacement is surely the best repair, but stripped oil pan bolts are so common, most mechanics keep over-sized self-tapping bolts on hand. That is almost certainly what you got.

 

[Mazdiod2]

I'd quit going to either of them.

!

 

[erhayes]

I have seen dealers at Ford actually use an impact wrench to tighten oil pan drain bolts. You can find JERKS at every level at every dealerships.