Drain bolt over tightened.

bmw335d · 08-23-2018, 05:50 PM

Hey guys,

I overtightened the oil drain bolt now it won't come out. Am I screwed?

If I can use a flat head to try to pry it out while unscrewing then replacing with a new bolt. Will that be good?

No leaks so far.

BB_cuda · 08-23-2018, 07:00 PM

Is it just spinning or won’t budge. Pan is soft aluminum. Why tighten so hard? The seal is created by crushing washer.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 08-23-2018, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw335d

Hey guys,

I overtightened the oil drain bolt now it won't come out. Am I screwed?

If I can use a flat head to try to pry it out while unscrewing then replacing with a new bolt. Will that be good?

No leaks so far.

I don't understand what do you mean it won't come out?

bmw335d · 08-23-2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Is it just spinning or won’t budge. Pan is soft aluminum. Why tighten so hard? The seal is created by crushing washer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Is it just spinning or won't budge. Pan is soft aluminum. Why tighten so hard? The seal is created by crushing washer.

It turns both ways

bmw335d · 08-23-2018, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I don't understand what do you mean it won't come out?

It turns but doesn't come out turns in one place

TheMidnightNarwhal · 08-23-2018, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw335d

It turns but doesn't come out turns in one place

Still don't get it.

Unless you mean it's spinning like in butter?

Is there any in and out play on the bolt?

Zarrachan · 08-23-2018, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Is it just spinning or won’t budge. Pan is soft aluminum. Why tighten so hard? The seal is created by crushing washer.

+1

bmw335d · 08-23-2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw335d

It turns but doesn't come out turns in one place

Still don't get it.

Unless you mean it's spinning like in butter?

Is there any in and out play on the bolt?

No play. It's not moving easily only with a tool

BB_cuda · 08-23-2018, 10:11 PM

Does it spin easily as in with fingers? Reason I ask is you mentioned about trying to pry axially while turning. What about a big fork like you use carving a roast? Spin while prying.

Other thing might be a gear puller but a bolt head will be tough to get the levers to hold under. A mechanic used this tool to separate a bearing from a Honda knuckle for me. It was a two piece device that went around the bearing shell. I wonder if there is a miniature version of this? Good luck with getting it out.

Worst comes worst, drop subframe and pull the pan. I’d try 14 things before resorting to this though.

AlpineX · 08-24-2018, 01:18 AM

Saw some sort of bulletin recently requiring BMW to update small drain plugs with larger drain plugs. Sounds like you may have some active threads, just a dance of just the right pressure, and just the right spin. Industrial strength magnet and an open end wrench? Vice grip?

sukutash · 08-24-2018, 11:15 AM

If you have one of those panel removal tools that look like a pickle fork, wedge it between the bolt and pan. Keep it wedged under pressure against the bolt as you loosen very slowly feeling for the bolt to engage a thread in the pan. The thinner the wedging tool the better. For example, I have a piece of sheet metal about 2mm thick that's rolled into a crescent shape, forked on one end. I used it on stubborn aircraft fasteners. Good luck.

dmanb2b · 08-24-2018, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukutash

If you have one of those panel removal tools that look like a pickle fork, wedge it between the bolt and pan. Keep it wedged under pressure against the bolt as you loosen very slowly feeling for the bolt to engage a thread in the pan. The thinner the wedging tool the better. For example, I have a piece of sheet metal about 2mm thick that's rolled into a crescent shape, forked on one end. I used it on stubborn aircraft fasteners. Good luck.

Thin metal spackle knife could work too!

335stoner · 08-26-2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Thin metal spackle knife could work too!

^^THIS^^
you don't need an overly complicated tool. I would use a screwdriver

Dlude · 10-05-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw335d

Hey guys,

I overtightened the oil drain bolt now it won't come out. Am I screwed?

If I can use a flat head to try to pry it out while unscrewing then replacing with a new bolt. Will that be good?

No leaks so far.

If there are no leaks and the bolt is secured, just leave it in there and buy yourself a oil extractor and do oil changes through the dipstick.

BB_cuda · 10-06-2018, 01:04 PM

OP, please come back and finish this story for us. We never heard if you got the plug out of the pan or not. thanks.

bmw335d · 10-18-2018, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

OP, please come back and finish this story for us. We never heard if you got the plug out of the pan or not. thanks.

I got it out, had to drill it out and then retap a new thread.

BB_cuda · 10-18-2018, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw335d

I got it out, had to drill it out and then retap a new thread.

Congrats. And that's the rest of the story.

08-23-2018, 05:50 PM	#1
bmw335d Second Lieutenant 104 Rep 247 Posts Drives: X3 M40i, 335d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (0)	Drain bolt over tightened. Hey guys, I overtightened the oil drain bolt now it won't come out. Am I screwed? If I can use a flat head to try to pry it out while unscrewing then replacing with a new bolt. Will that be good? No leaks so far.
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08-23-2018, 07:00 PM	#2
BB_cuda Brigadier General 761 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	Is it just spinning or won’t budge. Pan is soft aluminum. Why tighten so hard? The seal is created by crushing washer.
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08-23-2018, 10:11 PM	#9
BB_cuda Brigadier General 761 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	Does it spin easily as in with fingers? Reason I ask is you mentioned about trying to pry axially while turning. What about a big fork like you use carving a roast? Spin while prying. Other thing might be a gear puller but a bolt head will be tough to get the levers to hold under. A mechanic used this tool to separate a bearing from a Honda knuckle for me. It was a two piece device that went around the bearing shell. I wonder if there is a miniature version of this? Good luck with getting it out. Worst comes worst, drop subframe and pull the pan. I’d try 14 things before resorting to this though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2018, 01:18 AM	#10
AlpineX Captain 246 Rep 776 Posts Drives: Diesel Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Saw some sort of bulletin recently requiring BMW to update small drain plugs with larger drain plugs. Sounds like you may have some active threads, just a dance of just the right pressure, and just the right spin. Industrial strength magnet and an open end wrench? Vice grip?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2018, 11:15 AM	#11
sukutash First Lieutenant 66 Rep 364 Posts Drives: 2011 335d, 2020 M2C Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ft Worth iTrader: (7) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 KOMP [0.00] 2014 BMW 535i [0.00] 2012 MERC E63 AMG W ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	If you have one of those panel removal tools that look like a pickle fork, wedge it between the bolt and pan. Keep it wedged under pressure against the bolt as you loosen very slowly feeling for the bolt to engage a thread in the pan. The thinner the wedging tool the better. For example, I have a piece of sheet metal about 2mm thick that's rolled into a crescent shape, forked on one end. I used it on stubborn aircraft fasteners. Good luck.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2018, 01:04 PM	#15
BB_cuda Brigadier General 761 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	OP, please come back and finish this story for us. We never heard if you got the plug out of the pan or not. thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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