Drain plug

[DREAM2]

I went to change my oil for the first time, the dealer has been doing it since I have lifetime free oil changes. They do not offer synthetic so at 15,000 miles I decided to start doing it myself.
I have no idea what they used to tighten the drain plug on with or the oil filter itself, but neither will come off. I almost stripped the drain plug trying to get it off. I'm taking it to a mechanic friend that has a lift and some air tools to try and get them off.
I no the drain plug is 13mm, but does anyone know the thread size and length? Or better yet where I can pick up a new one?

[midnight03]

any auto store can get you a new oil drain plug, and as for the oil filter there is special cups for them at any auto store also

[Mr.Blonde]

did you have an oil filter wrench?

[ptgtcb]

I would take it back to the dealer who has been servicing your car and have them explain why you can not get the drain plug out! They obviously have over tightened both and need to replace your drain plug, filter and use your oil. Have they actually ever replaced your oil and filter, makes me wonder?

[DREAM2]

Yeah, it makes me wonder too. I believe they did take the drain plug out because it did have marks on it from a socket or wrench before I started to try and get it loose. I know I can get the filter off with a wrench, so I'm not concerned about that one as much, but if you place a film of oil around the rubber gasket of the filter before putting it on and tighten it by hand, you should NOT need a wrench to get these off. I always did the filter this way and hand tightened them on my Jeep with no problems ever. This is why I do not own an oil wrench right now. I never needed one.
I'm taking one more shot at it tonight. I know the dealership screwed this up since no one else (besides me) has touched this car, and I know they SHOULD fix it. I don't really want to take it back to the dealer because I'm sure they will twist it around and make it MY fault and wind up charging me $95.00 for a new drain plug. No thanks.
All I want to do is change my own oil. Is that too much to ask for? A very simple task, yet one I cannot do because of these "trained" professionals.
Another lovely dealership experience from your local 5 star dealership.
Sorry about the rant, but it felt good to get it out.

[Cal Cruzer]

I would really wonder if they did the oil changes or not. It has been commonly reported here that removing the plug and filter the first time is really a biatch. My plug was so tight I had to put a breaker bar on it but every time since it has been easy. Same with the filter the first time. The factory doesn't seem to use the film of oil on the gasket. Makes you go Hmmmmm.....

[Pyropathic]

Well I haven't done a oil change to a PT yet. But the way it works is you put your oil filter on hand tight and the oil and seal when heated create a tighter fit. I had the same problem with a drain plug on my Toyota. Just need a really long wrench so you can have leverage and crank it out. They have oil filter wrenchs that work ok if your only going to be using it on one size. Or they make strap wrenches that will work on any filter size, the stitching breaks sooner but I was using mine a few times a week to service CAT train generators.

But like they said above the drain plug doesn't need to be that tight see if your dealership will take it out and check if they stripped it.

Another thing you can do, wouldn't do on a PT but on a beater it works, stick a flat head screwdriver through the filter and twist [}]

[Mike Radowski]

Now, now, you all know that you tighten the drain plug to one quarter turn BEFORE it snaps off, and you torque an oil filter to at least 100 foot pounds, so it doesn't leak.

Mike

[DREAM2]

I picked up a new drain plug at Pep Boys today. They didn't have a listing for an '03 so I got the one for an '01 n/a. Hopefully this didn't change over the years or between the turbo and n/a. I wouldn't think it would but...
Yeah, 100 ft lbs. sounds about right.[xx(] Must be some specs in that dealer service manual. Inches, foot pounds, what's the difference!
I did the screwdriver thing once on a car. What a mess!
I think everything should be resolved tonight. I hope.

[AlmondTurbo]

Be sure to use (get) a 6 point box/combination wrench, or 6 point socket for the drain plug. Oil drain plug is torqued to (only) 20 ft. lbs. Ref. Service Manual page 9-214 ('04 model). I'd have the dealer loosen the drain plug, if they tightened it last. Several previous posts (threads), about stripped oil pan threads. Good luck!