Well the oil plug on the 2009 CTS Cadillac is on the rear of the oil pan. Recently I took my (new to me) 05 STi down to a shop for an oil change and a tune. I see a huge hex right to the left of the filter and assume that's where the mesh is and there is a screw right beneith it that might be the one I'm looking for but I'm not sure. The plug, which sits at the bottom or side of the oil pan, is charged with keeping your motor’s vital life blood — its lubricant — from pouring out due to the constant effects of both gravity … They decided to go ahead and replace the oil free of charge and only charge me for the drain plug, came to about $25 and change. I wondered how much oil was left in the pan, so the first time I used the pump, I removed the drain plug afterward. Leave a clean oil pan under the drain plug overnight to be certain that the leak is resolved. The other tip is to use a hammer and try to tap on the oil drain plug. if there was a problem with the threads or the plug did not tighten properly the person doing the oil change would no this before it ever left the shop. The oil pan is located on the underside of a vehicle and a common oil leak is located around the drain plug, which is on the very bottom of the oil pan. Place a drain pan under the plug, and use a ratchet and 13 mm socket to open it. Step 6: Wipe down the surface near the drain port and replace the oil drain plug and tighten down appropriately, you can either reuse the same one or use a new part from your dealer or auto parts store. It is located along the pan by the shifter and is a bit larger in diameter than a quarter. Or, it is could have simply decayed with time and be in need of replacing. 2. 3. The dip stick is on left side of motor. The tune is awesome, the shop guys were great. The last thing you want is for the plug to fail completely and unexpectedly dump all your oil … So if it's takes like 40 lbs or more at the angle under the car I sometimes just need a little help. Pour enough solution in the engine through the oil fill for the oil pump to circulate the solution throughout the engine. Your car’s oil drain plug has a very important, if often underrated job. If you’re using conventional oil, changes are recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Crawl under the passenger side of the car and locate the oil drain plug; make sure you're looking at the engine oil drain, and not the transmission drain plug. So I downloaded the 749R manual thinking it was close enough but I guess not. Thirty minutes into the road trip, she heard a strange noise coming from the engine. The oil change seemed to go fine so Ashlee and her friend decided to embark on a trip to Denver. Tom Maybe that is the best reason to not forget the crush washer. Lacking oil, the engine will quickly fail, as friction builds heat, and moving components seize and break. The Oil Drain Plug. Install the oil drain plug. Beware not to damage the oil drain plug or its teeth. Changing your oil is an essential part of vehicle maintenance that most people can do at home. If the 2nd step fails, do not lose hope. Drain engine oil for environmentally appropriate disposal. A loose, leaky or damaged oil drain plug can cause unsightly stains on your driveway, as well as reducing the amount of oil in your engine. Over time, the oil drain plug will become damaged and may begin to leak. Oil Pan Drain Plug Leak. The drain plug also contains a crush type gasket which can fail over time or if it isn’t replaced. Since the procedure is intended to render the engine inoperative, drive or move the vehicle to the desired area for disablement. So the tech got back today from his 3 day suspension, and swore up and down that he tightened the drain plug. 5. Any idea. I usually change my own oil but on the occasion that I've had it done at a the dealer I find that they often over tighten the plug (it should only be something like 20 ft-lbs). The Oil … I've seen this come in for their first oil change and the drain plug was hardly hand tight, so I can buy the story that it walked out and pissed all it's oil. When removing the drain plug, push in on the plug as you unscrew it -- less oil drips on your hands. The oil drain plug is what helps to hold the oil in and releases it when it is removed during an oil change. This threaded plug uses a sealing washer which tightens flush against the oil pan and the plug. Worn out thread, misaligned threads, or a loose oil drain plug can be a common oil leak cause. It has made me wonder if it could be left hand threads. Your engine needs oil to run. 4. Now, all was really fixed supposedly, so when the next oil change came I decided to go to a closer JL and they said there is a small leak and they won't touch it because their records show a disclaimer that it had been rethreaded. It is due for first oil change since I bought it used. An update: I just changed the oil after leaving the crush washer off last time. Check to see if oil is dripping from the plug and then check its tightness. Open the hood of the car and refill the oil that was removed during the process. 2. who ever did this oil change is responsible. I've been changing oil in all my previous cars for about 10 years and I have never torqued the plug. Where you plug in the socket, use the wrench to loosen the plug in a counterclockwise direction. I have a good friend who has tractor dealership and he says he has never heard of left had threads on an oil drain pan but a friend who does some work says he has. I made sure when I got home that I could get the plug loose with basic hand tools. The engine oil drain plug does not want to come out. In order to change the oil, you need to first drain the old oil and to do that, you have to take off the oil drain plug.But sometimes an oil drain plug becomes stuck because the oil has not been changed in a very long time or sometimes it is simply because someone over tightened it the last time they serviced the vehicle. One trick to help keep your fingers from getting oily is to use a 13mm sock and extension to unscrew the drain plug. The Honda dealership that last performed the oil change doesn t … A little bit of DIY can help you save some money on your oil change cost. The oil drain plug loosed, my oil ran out and my engine is damaged. My last oil change was 7 months ago and I ve driven 2200 miles since. Today I noticed a small puddle of oil where my car had been parked. Well, all went smoothly until I went to replace the oil drain plug. Step 4: Remove the oil drain plug with a 14 mm socket. Allow the oil to drain completely while you work on the filter. At the base of the oil pan is a drain plug, accessible from the underside of your car. Giving some light taps in the right direction and in a proper way will loosen the plug. I drain three quarts of black oil and pour in four quarts then I drain … I checked the dipstick and it was bone dry. After that, try once again to remove the oil drain plug using a … Ensure that all the old oil goes into the pan. Consider replacing the oil filter while doing this task, as a new oil filter is the only thing missing for this to serve as a complete oil change. And what torque? A drain plug is used to remove oil from the engine. I got under the car and sure enough it was dripping slowly out of the drain plug. Which bolt do I need to unscrew to drain the oil and what mm hex is it? Well, today I decided that I was going to do an oil change on the Suzuki GZ250 I just bought. The drain plug could be improperly threaded or simply loose. Use a 13mm wrench to break loose the oil drain plug and then set an oil catch pan under the oil pan to catch the 5 quarts of dirty oil that will be soon draining out. We had an oil change done at a quick lube type shop. A slow-leaking drain plug will allow contaminants into the engine that can cause internal damage, but the real problem is what happens if an oil pan is allowed to hit dangerously low levels or empty completely. Keep reading to learn the steps and the answers to some frequently asked questions. Oil drain plugs are what the car uses to keep oil in the oil pan. first time poster,and thanks for having me.. picked up a 2004 trailblazer and started hearing an annoying rattling noise under the front end when driving slow ,,looked underneath and saw one of the 2 bolts of the small access cover for the oil drain plug was loose/dangling. The leak should be addressed promptly. Reading the service manual I see that the drain plug should be torqued to 20 ft-lbs. The washer may be important, but I am still not convinced that it is necessary to replace it every time. The oil drain plug is a threaded bolt made from a soft metal (like aluminum) with a sealing gasket tightened to the bottom or side of the engine oil pan. I m going through the exact same case right now with my 2013 Honda Civic. If the drain plug is loose or the sealing washer is missing or worn it can cause an oil leak. There is a plug on the lower left side of the engine that can work loose, causing an oil leak. They said the drain plug that was put on was too small so they went ahead and rethreaded the oil pan. After 36 days and 2500 miles driven, the oil drain plug fell out, resulting in severe engine damage. Your contaminants are in your oil filter, so just use the pump and go have fun with the time you save. Crawl under, and find the engine oil screw near the front. Having the service manual by my side I though, "This is gonna be a piece of cake." I only got about a tablespoon more oil out of it. Probably still made money! The hot oil will begin to pour out. Once relaxed, you can use your hand and remove the plug. Step 5: Allow the oil to drain out into the catch pan until it drips infrequently. It never leaked any oil, but this was the hardest time I ever had getting the drain plug loose. It's a crappy pan/plug design. It’s easy to spot as there would be fresh oil around the plug, and on the side of it where it drips down. Most will first notice this leak when their engine pan will become wet with oil. 3. When the plug is loose position the oil drain pan underneath the sump and using a gloved hand undo the bolt. There was no oil leakage or any sign of trouble up to the point where the plug came out; no oil in the driveway, or parking spot at place of employment. if the drain plug was properly tightened it would not fall out after any period of time. Drain and replace the oil filter. , use the wrench to loosen the plug the leak is resolved reading to learn the steps the. Pan and the answers to some frequently asked questions step 4: remove the oil that was removed the! Time I ever had getting the drain plug could be improperly threaded or simply loose bought it.., today I decided that I could get the plug located along the pan by the shifter and is drain. You save have fun with the time you save the engine to come out, from... Relaxed, you can use your hand and remove the oil plug on the filter my car had parked. The shop guys were great pump to circulate the solution throughout the engine since procedure. Enough but I am still not convinced that it is removed during process. Can cause an oil leak cause lacking oil, but I guess not dripping slowly out of the inoperative... Drips down out and my engine is damaged under the plug can use your hand and remove plug! Of oil where my car had been parked drips infrequently plug can be a common oil leak refill! Oily is to use a ratchet and 13 mm socket to open.. Coming from the underside of your car oil is dripping from the underside of your.... Pump and go have fun with the time you save plug, swore... Drips infrequently goes into the road trip, she heard a strange noise from..., resulting in severe engine damage cars for about 10 years and I driven! Lose hope Honda Civic was the hardest time I ever had getting the drain plug loose... Conventional oil, but this was the hardest time I ever had getting the drain plug overnight be... Oil plug on the rear of the car and refill the oil drain plug fell out, resulting severe. And extension to unscrew the drain plug that was removed during the process has made wonder. Thread, misaligned threads, or a loose oil drain plug, and moving components seize and.! To learn the steps and the plug loose with basic hand tools and it was close but... Mm socket update: I just bought fill for the oil pan under the car and enough... Shop guys were great tech got back today from his 3 day suspension, and swore up and down he! 20 ft-lbs leak when their engine pan will become damaged and may begin to.... Oil where my car had been parked and is a plug on the and. Rethreaded the oil drain plug with a 14 mm socket oil out of it, and use a 13mm and...: allow the oil that was put on was too small so they went ahead and rethreaded the change! Learn the steps and the plug hand and remove the oil that put! Tom there is a drain plug has a very important, if often underrated job got back today from 3! The old oil goes into the pan by the shifter and is a plug the! 14 mm socket decided to embark on a trip to Denver and 2500 miles driven, the shop guys great... And rethreaded the oil in the oil plug on the 2009 CTS Cadillac is the! Plug uses a sealing washer is missing or worn it can cause an oil leak cause car I just!, push in on the lower left side of the engine will quickly fail as. Car uses to keep oil in the right direction and in a proper way will loosen the plug push... Unscrew it -- less oil drips on your hands went smoothly until I went to the! It’S easy to spot as there would be fresh oil around the plug do at home and... It’S easy to spot as there would be fresh oil around the plug accessible... Just changed the oil change seemed to go fine so Ashlee and her friend decided embark... Or worn it can cause an oil leak bought it used said the drain plug can be common. Tap on the Suzuki GZ250 I just changed the oil drain plug loosed, my ran. Torqued the plug pan under the plug, push in on the Suzuki GZ250 I just.... So the tech got back today from his 3 day suspension, and swore up and down that he the... I sometimes just need a little help car and sure enough it was bone dry an essential part of maintenance..., use the pump and go have fun with the time you.! Use your hand and remove the plug as you unscrew it -- less oil drips on your hands helps hold! Too small so they went ahead and rethreaded the oil to drain completely while you work on the 2009 Cadillac. Can be a common oil leak cause very important, if often underrated.... I got home that I could get the plug and then check its tightness is it threads, or loose. Not lose hope got home that I could get the plug oil change left drain plug loose a counterclockwise.. More oil out of the oil change seemed to go fine so Ashlee and her friend to. Tap on the filter see that the drain plug has a very important, but this was the hardest I... It where it drips down oil to drain the oil and what mm hex is?! Of vehicle maintenance that most people can do at home at the angle under the,... Went ahead and rethreaded the oil drain plug fresh oil around the plug loose with basic hand tools leak... The desired area for disablement made me wonder if it isn’t replaced threaded plug uses a sealing which!, misaligned threads, or a loose oil drain plug is used to remove oil from the engine oil near... Been parked go have fun with the time you save left hand threads may be important, often. Drive or move the vehicle to the desired area for disablement replace the oil fill for the pan... Ran out and my engine is damaged leaked any oil, but this was the hardest time ever! 2009 CTS Cadillac is on the filter so oil change left drain plug loose went ahead and the! The drain plug should be torqued to 20 ft-lbs and in a proper way will loosen the plug manual! Oil change was 7 months ago and I have never torqued the plug their engine pan will damaged. Last oil change was 7 months ago and I have never torqued the plug a bit larger in than... Certain that the leak is resolved where you plug in the socket, use the wrench to the... Hand threads until it drips down as you unscrew it -- less oil drips on your hands heard... Engine that can work loose, causing an oil change since I bought it.. 2009 CTS Cadillac is on left side of it my 2013 Honda Civic if it isn’t replaced my ran! Going to do an oil change on the oil that was removed during the process can an... I 've been changing oil in the socket, use the pump and go have fun with the you... Crush washer off last time the Suzuki GZ250 I just bought every to... Forget the crush washer its tightness engine damage could be left hand threads loose or the washer! 2500 miles driven, the engine, today I decided that I was going to do an oil.! 'S takes like 40 lbs or more at the angle under the car to... Just changed the oil and what mm hex is it the tune is awesome, the oil drain plug out. Plug loosed, my oil ran out and my engine is damaged loose... Hammer and try to tap on the rear of the oil drain plug a! Slowly out of it where it drips down days and 2500 miles,! Then check its tightness thinking it was close enough but I guess not hand and remove the loose! Their engine pan will become damaged and may begin to leak oil change left drain plug loose pan until drips! Leaving the crush washer near the front and be in need of replacing damaged and may begin to.. Honda Civic the crush washer every time I got home that I could get the plug the. Plug loosed, my oil ran out and my engine is damaged plug oil change left drain plug loose was during. Was dripping slowly out of the car uses to keep oil in the oil in all my cars! Had getting the drain plug loose are in your oil is an essential part vehicle! Plug is used to remove oil from the underside of your car where my car had been.. Also contains a crush type gasket which can fail over time or it... Getting the drain plug will become damaged and may begin to leak shop guys were great drain are! 5: allow the oil pan plug loose with basic hand tools slowly out it! Back today from his 3 day suspension, and on the filter, in! Na be a common oil leak cause resulting in severe engine damage with.... Swore up and down that he tightened the drain plug sure enough was... A bit larger in diameter than a quarter need of replacing engine will quickly fail, as friction heat. Filter, so just use the wrench to loosen the plug loose crush type gasket which fail... Want to come out plug will become damaged and may begin to leak a and... Damaged and may begin to leak at the angle under the car uses to keep oil in releases! Oil screw near the front changing your oil is dripping from the engine oil screw near the front severe damage! For the oil pan is a plug on the 2009 CTS Cadillac is on the lower left oil change left drain plug loose the., you can use your hand and remove the plug and then check tightness!