Help! Oil Drain Bolt Stuck on '92 Accord

AAAARGH! I was getting a friend's 66 Chrysler 'Special' (It was an
Unmarked Luxo-barge for Government use) ready for the summer and couldn't
get the lug nuts off. He called and asked how it was going. Fine, except...

Guess you don't know the lug nuts on that side are LHT, do you?

 

But it sure builds up manly muscles trying to get them loose. At least it
feels that way.

 

Hi: Yes, I was going counterclockwise on a Honda, so I think the
direction is correct. I was thinking of trying an air impact gun to
get the bolt off (using a 1/2 in. drive and a steel impact socket),
but I'm not sure how much PSI to start out with. 90 PSI coming out of
the compressor translates to about 400 PSI out of the gun, so I guess
it's about 1:4 in vs. out. Anyone happen to know how much PSI (out of
the gun) I should start out with? That's assuming, of course, that
it's alright to "fight fire with fire" by using the air gun at all.
Thanks. - Paul S.

 

I'd be eyeing the air gun at this point, too. I fear the threads in the pan
are already in bad shape, and that the plug has been fastened in. I hope it
isn't epoxy!

The advantage of the air gun is that you are delivering straight torque
rather than levering it. Even sockets want to lift unless you can apply the
same amount of support as you are applying torque. As long as the impact
socket is a nice fit and it can be set on straight rather than a bit cocked
I'd go that way. The torque is nowhere near linear with air pressure; 40 PSI
is probably a good starting point. I doubt you would even get impact action
at that pressure, but you can always go up

If the plug is fastened in or badly cross-threaded or both, all is not lost.
NAPA carries drain plugs for Hondas in single and double oversize. There are
complications, but let's hope for the best.

Mike

 

Thank you Mike for your very helpful post. I have a Campbell Hausfeld
compressor that goes up to 100 psi (just used it to repaint the hood
of my '92 accord...THAT was difficult), so like you say it's probably
best to start low with the air pressure and gradually work my way up.
I'll let you guys know how it goes tomorrow. - Paul.

 

In aircraft manufacturing, a simple device is used that fits on air
tools between the tool and the incoming air line. It is a simple
"volume" control that is adjustable from full on to full off by a series
of click stops. Sure wish such was readily available on the "civilian"
market...

JT

 

Actually my air gun has an adjustment like that on it.

G-Man

 

Wow...that sounds pretty neat. I wish one were available too. - Paul

 

Hi To G-Man and Everyone Else Who Was Nice Enough to Respond About My
Stuck Oil Drain Bolt Issue:

I finally got the bolt off today!! Hurray!! It's the simple things in
life..... No, actually it was the air gun, which worked like magic at
75 psi. It's a great tool, as long as you use it to take the bolt off
but not to put it on. No sign of any leaks yet with the new oil, but
I'll keep watching just in case. Looks like I may have dodged a
bullet. Replaced the washer, painted some anti-seize compound on the
threads of the new bolt, and hand torqued it to 33 foot pounds,

Thanks again! - Paul.

 

Let the fun begin.

;-)

 

This may be a similar regulator that I am familiar with.


http://www.skygeek.com/5401.html


JT

 

Looks like a great idea for people who don't already have a dial type
regulator on their compressor. - Paul.

 

I wouldn't have guessed you'd get off that lightly, but let's celebrate
victories when the fates allow!

Mike

 

Thanks, Mike...I am definitely celebrating the fact that I won't have
to go through the hassle of another oil pan. I topped things off with
a brand new Bosch Premium oil filter, and I'm good to go....ready for
the trans-Canada highway this summer and another 185,000 miles. And
speaking of miles, I am determined to take this '92 accord past the
half million mark - it's an ego thing! Thanks again for your help and
encouragement. - Paul

 

LOL! I knew I wasn't THAT much of a wimp!

 

They are, you have to look. And they aren't cheap!

 

Great. Glad to hear you didn't have to shell for a new Oil Pan. What a
PITA!

Congrats! (A job well done feels good, doesn't it? No matter how much
huffing and puffing and cursing it took along the way!

 

How did the paint come out, and what kind of gun do you have? I bought a
fairly expensive Craftsman compressor (150 PSI/ 45/90CFM) for two reasons:
DA sander and spray gun. The DA definitely needs it, and the best gun I
can find is about 40 CFM @ 45 PSI!

 

But they are... Under $7 for consumer version and about $12 for the
professional version.

JT

 

I just bought my first compressor. The last place I used one of those
setups was...at an Aircraft Accessories MFG, using shop air to test things
like starter solenoids, etc...