Oil Change, drain bolt problem...

[Sedoy]

Hey fellows, I was trying to change the motor oil today but I couldn’t unscrew the drain bolt. It easily screws in both directions, I spend like an hour trying to unscrew it, then another hour trying to tighten it back but it just rotates freely in the same position. I’m afraid I’m going to loose all my oil since I couldn’t tighten the drain bolt !!! I have no idea that to do… any good advises? Please help!

[Seattle53]

Sorry but it sounds like you may have a stripped drain bolt/oil pan.

The right way to fix it is to drop the oil pan and either 1.) buy and replace with a new oil pan and drain plug or 2.) see if you can have the oil pan rethreaded and buy a new drain plug. Either way, the pan needs to be dropped.

Hopefully its not this but it sure sounds like it. Good luck!

[Sedoy]

Thanks, I'll try again tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Seattle53

Sorry but it sounds like you may have a stripped drain bolt/oil pan.

The right way to fix it is to drop the oil pan and either 1.) buy and replace with a new oil pan and drain plug or 2.) see if you can have the oil pan rethreaded and buy a new drain plug. Either way, the pan needs to be dropped.

Hopefully its not this but it sure sounds like it. Good luck!

[Jeff SJ]

Originally Posted by Seattle53

Sorry but it sounds like you may have a stripped drain bolt/oil pan.

The right way to fix it is to drop the oil pan and either 1.) buy and replace with a new oil pan and drain plug or 2.) see if you can have the oil pan rethreaded and buy a new drain plug. Either way, the pan needs to be dropped.

Hopefully its not this but it sure sounds like it. Good luck!

Couldn't it be rethreaded in place? Just need to flush to make sure all shavings out of the pan, I'd think.

Not sure what year you're talking about but there are specific torque specs that need to be followed and a new aluminum or copper washer needs to be use. If you are a BMW club member-www.bmwcca.org- you can email Mike Miller in the tech section and he'll give you the specifics on the proper torque. Oh, and you'll need a torque wrench.

Jeff

[WMG/BMW]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Thanks, I'll try again tomorrow.

Just had my oil changed and they (local shop) stripped my pan. The dealer wants 580 installed which includes an oil change, filter and a new plug.

The nice thing is I dont have to pay for it

[vinuneuro]

Use a torque wrench next time.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Use a torque wrench next time.

, with V...and, I tend to run seriousazz/important bolts
in by hand, very gently; then I back them out by hand,
re-run in to finger tight, and then apply the TorquoWrencho.

$580 for a new pan...damn, the gross margins must be pretty
good on that part/labor.
GL on the fix...
BR,mD