Community Forums

dwaugh10 · 04-01-2023, 07:48 PM

Went to do annual maintenance on the generator (oil&filter) and the drain plug is stuck. I even broke the socket! Any suggestions on how to get it out? I am also considering trying an oil change pump to drain the oil and just leave the plug alone.

David

koda59 · 04-01-2023, 08:15 PM

You can make sure that the area around the plug is cleaned. Then take a torch and heat the area around the plug, this will expand the area around the plug and loosen it up. do not heat the plug itself. Just be very careful with the flame.
You might try an impact wrench on it.

Country Road · 04-01-2023, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koda59

You can make sure that the area around the plug is cleaned. Then take a torch and heat the area around the plug, this will expand the area around the plug and loosen it up. do not heat the plug itself. Just be very careful with the flame.
You might try an impact wrench on it.

I wouldn’t put heat on the engine for anything in the world. I have used heat effectively many times but never on an engine oil plug that appears to be stuck.

Get you a better socket, perhaps a 1/2” drive and tap the handle with a good heavy hammer. On that late model generator, it should break loose.

Rob_M · 04-01-2023, 08:43 PM

Actually heating the plug and letting it cool works as well or better and is probably the safer bet. The pan is full of oil.

Use a 6-point impact socket.

Edit: Try Country Road’s method first.

Arch Hoagland · 04-01-2023, 08:50 PM

I think I would start the generator and get it warm. Then see if the plug will loosen.

shootist · 04-01-2023, 09:05 PM

6 point impact socket and an impact gun, it will come rt off if it isn’t completely rounded off.

dwaugh10 · 04-01-2023, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Country Road

I wouldn’t put heat on the engine for anything in the world. I have used heat effectively many times but never on an engine oil plug that appears to be stuck.

Get you a better socket, perhaps a 1/2” drive and tap the handle with a good heavy hammer. On that late model generator, it should break loose.

Only problem is the plug is only 3/8 of an inch. I did try rapping the ratchet handle with a hammer…no joy.

David

Rob_M · 04-01-2023, 09:33 PM

Lowflyer1 · 04-02-2023, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

6 point impact socket and an impact gun, it will come rt off if it isn’t completely rounded off.

This is the way I would do it.

shootist · 04-02-2023, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwaugh10

Only problem is the plug is only 3/8 of an inch. I did try rapping the ratchet handle with a hammer…no joy.

David

Just looked it up, plugs are showing as 1/4 inch pipe. Now I understand why it’s so tight. Try a six point and impact, if you round that off , welding an offset cheap wrench to it would be my next step. If you don’t want to ruin a cheap wrench use a large nut to weld on, pic up a new quarter in plug too

Randy125 · 04-02-2023, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koda59

You can make sure that the area around the plug is cleaned. Then take a torch and heat the area around the plug, this will expand the area around the plug and loosen it up. do not heat the plug itself. Just be very careful with the flame.
You might try an impact wrench on it.

I would try this.

shootist · 04-02-2023, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy125

I would try this.

Risking a fire inside or out isn’t necessarily the best idea. If the pan is aluminum you could use a 1500 watt heat gun on it with somewhat safety. Aluminum expands at a tremendous rate. Regardless of heat source keep a fire extinguisher next to you!

Rusty Kramer · 04-02-2023, 12:34 PM

The plugs are pipe thread.
My experience over many years of wrenching on a lot of stuff.

Use a super long breaker bar and just slowly apply pressure.

hopefully you still have enough Hex left on it..

Not sure why onan used such a small hex. If it is really rounded off try filing enough to get a good 9 mm socket on it?