Problem with my 05 Ford Escape Hybrid today: I went to change the oil; last time was the dealer's 100k service. I noticed at the outset that the drain plug (13mm head) was slightly rounded, but okay, I have seen worse. So I went at it - but it was in tighter than any bolts I've hit to date, and that includes head bolts. (Now it is much rounder than before, and doesn't even have new oil!) I should have another plug in the spares pile, if I can get it loose, but I haven't made it turn the slightest over several hours of effort.
I have tried: Hand wrenches - open end slipped, originally I couldn't turn the closed end; Half inch drive - see closed end; Three quarter inch drive breaker bar - worked for a while, but started to spin before turning, that was my first indication that this was going to be a long day; Half inch, closed wrench - now slipping; Hammered sockets - stripped the rest of the head; Penetrant - no observable affect; Curved vice grips, flat vice grips - shred the bolt head as the grips spin off; Drill, ez out - can't get traction into bolt head, afraid of drilling into the pan; Bolt extractor socket - gave me about five seconds of hope before it started spinning. The 12mm socket does not fit yet. File - can only reach four sides because of the geometry. May wind up going this route with an open wrench, but I have a feeling it will be a long time until I get exactly half-inch (next size down) and then I worry I will just round it off again anyway. Chisel - did not do, no way I could turn this with a screwdriver, and I was afraid I'd destroy what little integrity was left in the bolt head. Or would that be a good thing at this point? Cursing the mechanic at the Ford dealer - no affect; Cursing myself for paying twice a reasonable rate for the 100k service, and getting a fight about the presence of a transmission, a reused spark plug, and an over-tightened oil drain plug to show for it - no affect; Prayer and fasting - no affect. The truck was hot, has an aluminum pan and the plug seems to be a steel bolt (a really soft steel, apparently), so I would have thought it should spin right out. I am looking for any suggestions. The only thing I know and have not tried is welding; I don't have any equipment, not that I'd want to do that near an oil pan anyway. (Wilton says, topsider! which I will probably try to do, but I'd still like to fix the plug without replacing the pan.) And, may I recommend, if you need the services of a competent Ford mechanic, you stay far, far away from Crossroads Ford in Cary, NC. Sorry for the long post, thanks for any ideas! -Tim Has decided stuck bolts are worse when you paid for someone else to do them _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
