9 replies to this topic

[hr7bmx]

Hi, I need to change the oil in my 998 mini and I cannot get the sump plug to unscrew, its totally seized on and a previous owner has rounded the nut off slightly just to make things fun. Has anyone got any ideas/tips for gettin this off as I really need to change the oil before i drive her again. Any help appreciated. Thanks, Chris

[dklawson]

I believe the hex on the sump plug is 15/16" (close to 24mm). Buy a 6-point combination or box end wrench and place the box end on the sump plug with the handle pointing forward towards the front of the car. (This may involve putting the car on stands depending on where the wrench handle is pointed when on the plug). Place a hydraulic floor jack under the free end of the wrench and SLOWLY pump the jack to apply a huge amount of torque. Again, a 6-point box end or combination wrench is what you want as it's much less likely to slip on what's left of your drain plug.

[Sleepy Stu]

If all else fails and you dont mind forking out for a new sump plug you have two options.

EXTREMELY carefully grind the six sides of the plug back to six sides. Obviously they would be the next size down

or

Weld the largest nut possible onto the current sump plug and use that to get the old one off.


Obviously both methods would destroy your old sump plug but it would give you an excuse to buy a nice new one with the extended magnetic bit to catch all the metal particles from your oil?

[ANON]

warm the gearbox casing up around the bolt and then spray the bolt with freeze spray. should come out nice and easy

[hr7bmx]

warm the gearbox casing up around the bolt and then spray the bolt with freeze spray. should come out nice and easy

When you say freeze spray, do you mean standard anti-freeze?

[ANON]

propper freeze spray. loctite do it and you can get stuff for freezing pipes

[Guess-Works.com]

The loctite freeze spray is really good, also has a 'de rusting' agent in it, ok not so brilliant for aluminium but excellent for suborn exhaust bolts..

Is the bolt locked solid or is it just spinning in the hole... ??

[blue redtop]

i would file the bolt down a bit to the next size then try again.like stewart said.a grinder will cause alot of heat tho.and alloy melts quite quick.then try again not with a open ended spanner.

[hr7bmx]

Yeah its locked pretty good, might try the freeze spray stuff, sounds the most straightforward!

The loctite freeze spray is really good, also has a 'de rusting' agent in it, ok not so brilliant for aluminium but excellent for suborn exhaust bolts..

Is the bolt locked solid or is it just spinning in the hole... ??

[duncancallum]

a punch or chisel will crack it off as well