Stripped oil pan drain bolt thread

[scubastove]

Sure, send me an email to [email protected]. I've got about (5) pans sitting on the shelf so I don't need anymore but I'd certainly take it on a science project for the board.

Hey George, email sent over to you with photos of the oil pan.

[scubastove]

My pan had to be repaired a couple years ago for a similar reason, they basically drilled out the threaded part of the oil pan, and put in a new threaded insert and sealed it. The diameter of the drain plug crush washer is bigger now. Drain plug itself is stock. Seems to be fine.

Yeah, my shop could have repaired the oil pan no problem had they been able to get the drain bolt to back out. That has been the issue needing to be overcome.

[Nate047]

My pan had to be repaired a couple years ago for a similar reason, they basically drilled out the threaded part of the oil pan, and put in a new threaded insert and sealed it. The diameter of the drain plug crush washer is bigger now. Drain plug itself is stock. Seems to be fine.

[fattycharged]

This Is The Way

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR7TC/

I love this thing


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[bigjae46]

Use a 1/4 drive hex bit and ratchet or a 3/8” stubby ratchet. Makes it impossible to over torque the drain plug.


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[Cubieman]

So is this a somewhat common problem with S54 oil pans or just aluminum pans generally?

Is there anything at all to be done to reduce the chances of this happening besides obviously torquing to spec?

I suppose one could use those fittings for "quick change/mess free" oil change kits that have a valve and tube setup. But I imagine most of those wouldn't allow you to install the plastic protective cover and may sit down too low possibly. Would a new pan plug each change be of any benefit?

Sorry to hear you had to buy a $900 oil pan + whatever labor/parts are to replace it, holy shit. I get all of us dont have a garge tools etc.

If this ever happens to me I appreciate all the different ways of going at it that have been posted.

[eacmen]

This Is The Way

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR7TC/

[force4rmr]

Had the same issue last oil change. Wasn't easy to remove the drain plug, but with firm downward pressure using vice grip pliers and slowly turning counterclockwise, managed to remove it. There's a BMW service bulletin linked below for a very effective fix, better than a heli-coil or time-sert in my opinion. Good video of the repair on the AGAtools site. A larger 14 mm hole is tapped with a compression tap that hardens the aluminum as its tapped. Can be done safely with the oil pan on the car. Most dealers should have this kit, but obviously need to get the car to the dealer.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...f?v=1587681574

Here's the AGAtools repair kit with video:

https://agatools.com/collections/featured-products/products/aga-odp-12-14-k

[scubastove]

I can't believe you need a new pan for this.

The price difference between new vs used pan was pretty small, but used pans weren’t in stock from part supplier and of course they said no to a used pan off eBay. Same part from dealership was 1 month out coming from Germany. settled on a new oil pan from Bimmer world.

[sapote]

We got a new pan on order but it took a bit to find someplace in stock.
.

I can't believe you need a new pan for this.

[scubastove]

Sure, send me an email to [email protected]. I've got about (5) pans sitting on the shelf so I don't need anymore but I'd certainly take it on a science project for the board.

Sounds good. I’ll send an email with photos next week once I have the car back.

[George Hill]

That’s how I’m feeling about this. I could take it to another shop probably, but they may just say the same thing. I unfortunately don’t have time to bring my car from shop to shop. Also, s54 oil pans are not the easiest part to come by it seems. We got a new pan on order but it took a bit to find someplace in stock.

that being said, any interest in buying my old oil pan (price adjusted) and have at it to see if you can get the plug out? That’s the only issue with the pan. It’s clean and rust free, the car was from california.

Sure, send me an email to [email protected]. I've got about (5) pans sitting on the shelf so I don't need anymore but I'd certainly take it on a science project for the board.

[scubastove]

I've seen plenty of "repaired" drain plugs leak. It's not always an easy proposition to get it right and sometimes it just isn't worth the risk to the shop.

That’s how I’m feeling about this. I could take it to another shop probably, but they may just say the same thing. I unfortunately don’t have time to bring my car from shop to shop. Also, s54 oil pans are not the easiest part to come by it seems. We got a new pan on order but it took a bit to find someplace in stock.

that being said, any interest in buying my old oil pan (price adjusted) and have at it to see if you can get the plug out? That’s the only issue with the pan. It’s clean and rust free, the car was from california.

[George Hill]

If I had my M3 at a shop that couldn't figure this out without replacing the pan, I would damn sure be towing it to a shop that could. They're just going to wait till you agree to do it their way.

I've seen plenty of "repaired" drain plugs leak. It's not always an easy proposition to get it right and sometimes it just isn't worth the risk to the shop.

[fattycharged]

If I had my M3 at a shop that couldn't figure this out without replacing the pan, I would damn sure be towing it to a shop that could. They're just going to wait till you agree to do it their way.