civicpower

My oil pan needs to be changed asap (drain pan bolt hole is stripped) ... can anyone tell me what exactly changing it out entails? Any step-by-step advice or comments? I appreciate any help I can get. Just wasted $40 worth of oil and filter

Buff 'n Stuff

there is an alternative to changing the entire oil pan. some shops will weld a new nut on to the outside of the existing drain hole.

how bad are the oil pan threads? did anyone try installing a self-tapping drain plug yet? there's what they call 'piggy-back' plugs, which have a smaller plug that threads into the larger half of the plug which is permanently threaded into the worn oil pan threads. from there on when the oil is changed, only the smaller plug is removed to drain the oil.

civicpower

This is the second time I've had this problem with this car and it keeps doing the same thing ... last time I tapped the oil pan and installed a bigger drain bolt, the kind that "compress" when threaded into the pan. The bolt does not lock anymore, it just keeps spinning an does not get tight. Where can I get the piggy-back plugs from? I too was thinking of welding a nut to the drain hole. Any more advice/help? Thanks.

Buff 'n Stuff

yeah, you're talking about a 'toggle' style drain plug... they're considered a last resort and a temporary fix before replacing the oil pan all together. keep in mind my suggestion of having a nut welded on to the outer surface of the existing drain hole. i've seen it done before... not sure if it's cheaper than replacing the pan , but i'd recommend looking into it.

just fyi, 9 times out of 10, the reason the oil pan threads get stripped out is because the oil drain plug has been overtightened several times, and most likely the plug was not replaced when there was initial signs of thread wear. the other reason is from cross-threading. Honda oil pan threads are made of aluminum... so it's not too difficult to strip them out.

civicpower

Thanks for the help Buff ... I think I'm going to give the nut-welding trick a try first before swapping out for a new pan. A new pan is going to cost me roughly $50-$60 plus the labour to get it done (it's easier on a lift than it is on your back).

scott newman

What year is the car, I have a few pans that you can have dont weld that ****, fix it properly. If you want let me know

civicpower

sent you a pm Scott

Cynikal.Mindset

nenos, empty ur mailbox (dont forget the sent folder) so I can PM you!

changing the oil pan is simple dude...drain the oil, unbolt it, replace gasket on new oil pan reinstall...torque down bolts...fill check for leaks and voila!

civicpower

To change out the oil pan don't you have to drop the exhaust, at least the manifold? It sure looks like it is in the way. BTW, cleaned out my mailbox.

Cynikal.Mindset

u can prolly get it out with out taking the exhaust off...there is a good 2" gap between the pan and the down pipe...break the seal and slide it out and drop it down

imported_Duge

btw, it's called a heli-coil, you drill out old treads, then you go to your local honda dealer and buy a new drain bolt and heli coil (list is approx. 15$) you put a washer before the heli coil, and then loc-tite the heli coil on, drill out the threads, and then retap the nice big hole in your pan, takes about 15 min at the most..or get a new pan...got a couple depending what model year civic you have..pm me if you like..

Regards, and good luck

Doug

imported_starboy869

BTW: it's a lot easier to drop the exhaust.

Just the bolts on the manifold, and one lower bolt on the down pipe. You may or may not need a new gasket.

imported_loudsubz

when I changed mine I had to drop the exhaust, no way it was sliding out