Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Oil drain plug problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 18, 2009 | 12:03 PM
  #1  
domestic disturbance's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: paducah, ky
Default Oil drain plug problem

Well I change my oil verry often, I noticed that my oil plug has been acting stubborn going back in lately, this last time i changed it the plug acts as if its stripped or something, It will go all the way in but when you tighten it wants to keep turning.... So i took the plug back out and I see as if there is a helicoil is in there and looks like it is loose.... So i looked at my buddys oil pan and it also has the same deal in his... ( a helicoil or something in there) ....

Question is How do i need to go about fixing this problem.... Because now that my plug wont tighten verry well its leaking oil pretty good now....


Thanks
Reply
Old May 18, 2009 | 12:42 PM
  #2  
slothy's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, Mi.
Default

prob have to drill out and heli-coil it - not sure if they are from manufacture - since you dont need to crank on them.
Reply
Old May 18, 2009 | 03:16 PM
  #3  
TooLateVTEC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 2
From: FredVegas, Va
Default

Either do what slothy said, or go to the parts store and buy a self tapping drain plug thats the next step bigger than what you have now. It will work fine...had to do that in my dads '88 Chevy with a 350 TPI motor in it.
Reply
Old May 18, 2009 | 03:23 PM
  #4  
NHRAMAN's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Question

You are using the proper O-Ring also, right.???
Reply
Old May 18, 2009 | 04:37 PM
  #5  
domestic disturbance's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: paducah, ky
Default

Originally Posted by NHRAMAN
You are using the proper O-Ring also, right.???
yep.... so is it ok to buy the next step bigger and thread in there with the helicoil loose... ???
Reply
Old May 18, 2009 | 04:39 PM
  #6  
94 s dime's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
Default

this happens alot at my dads shop when changing oil.. usually clean out all the threads that are loose, and go the next size up... when you catch a tight spot, back off and go at it again... make sure when it goes all the way in that u take it out and clean the shavings off... this is usually how i go about it...
Reply
Old May 19, 2009 | 09:45 AM
  #7  
domestic disturbance's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: paducah, ky
Default

what size plug would be the next size up... anybody have the part number.... I went to the part store and i believe ours is m12 by 1.75.... and the only self tapping plug i could find bigger was 1/2 inch... would that be it..... ??? Also do i need to leave the helicoil threads in there while sticking the new plug in it????

thanks alot guys
Reply
Old May 19, 2009 | 10:21 AM
  #8  
TooLateVTEC's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 2
From: FredVegas, Va
Default

There shouldnt be a helicoil in there now, its just the threads from the aluminum pan that are coming out due to changing the oil a lot like you said you do.

I would go ahead and use some needle nose pliers and rip out the loose pieces and then just go ahead and screw in your new plug. Go slow and easy. If it hits a "hard" spot, back off a turn or so and then go again like s dime said. Hard spots are just where the plug is making new threads.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 19, 2009 | 10:25 AM
  #9  
domestic disturbance's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: paducah, ky
Default

so would the 1/2 plug be ok????
Reply
Old May 19, 2009 | 03:16 PM
  #10  
domestic disturbance's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: paducah, ky
Default

ok the latest is i tried tightening my plug in there to see if it would catch better, then the plug just pulled the helicoil type piece out.... The piece that the oil plug threads into is factory in all cars i spok with our local dealership.... also i tried putting the 1/2 plug in there and its way to small lol!!!!!
Reply
Old May 19, 2009 | 03:19 PM
  #11  
slothy's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: St. Clair Shores, Mi.
Default

i would just drill/helicoil insert it with the proper thread and get a new drain plug.

is what u pulled out steel or alum?
Reply
Old May 19, 2009 | 04:47 PM
  #12  
domestic disturbance's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: paducah, ky
Default

Well guys it is resolved for right now atleast lol! I THINK THERE DEF NEEDS TO BE A WRITE UP ON THIS.... HERE IS THE STEPS!!!!!

I kept turning and turning my old plug in the coil and got it to pop out.... when it popped out the actual hole in our oil pan is pretty big.... so I went through about 3 trips to the parts store to get the right oversized plug to get it to work... so I ended up with Dorman part # 65217 plug size M14-1,50

Turned it in and out a few times to get the new threads in, and now it seems to be doing fine!!! Ill def keep you guys informed, hope you all dont run into the same problem, but if you do dont stress like I did, after all said and done its a easier fix than i thought!!!

thanks chris
Reply
Old May 19, 2009 | 06:11 PM
  #13  
MyFirstLS1's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Orange county, ny
Default

just be carefull with putting the drain plug back in from now on with the aluminum pans you dont need to crank them in there
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:57 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE