this might a dumb question but me and my friend are struggling trying to get the oil plug bolt out so let me get this straight ......

i turn the oil plug clockwise to loosen it,right?

what size socket should i use? 17mm?

we tried this and that @#$% aint coming out

 

Lefty loosey, rightey tightey.

Remember it, for it is the most basic car code you live by!!!!

 

yeah to get it out you turn it counter clockwise (left).. it was probably done previously at a quick lube or some other place where they love to overtorque everything... in this case you might have trouble taking off the oil filter too... i did an oil change on my friends car the other day.. and she took it to jiffy lube previously.. damn that thing was on tight.. i got it loose w/ a regular socket and ratchet tho..

you might wanna try connecting 2 open end/combination wrenches for added torque/leverage to take that thing off... or use a longer ratchet.. i've never encountered a drainbolt i couldnt take off.. good luck




[Modified by GSRaCeRbOI, 10:11 PM 2/20/2002]

 

yeah we were going by that and it still doesnt give. did i mention we even used air-powered tools? o well i'll stop by some shop to see whats with it

 

Haha clockwise is turning right, you do want to turn the bolt left (COUNTER clockwise) to take it out though.

 

yeah i meant counterclockwise/turning it left.. heheh thanks for the correction.. i edited the post.. typed it too fast.. i did put left tho.. hehe

 

ok so i was turning it the wrong way thanks


[Modified by autoLS, 10:22 PM 2/20/2002]

 

Yikes you didn't go the wrong way and tighten it w/ those air tools, did you? If the bolt is still shaped right (not rounded off), use a 17mm 6-sided closed end wrench, stick a pipe on the end if you have to, and go to town.

 

ya I remember one time on my friends eclipse it took us like 2 hours to get the oil filter off. I had to stabb a screw driver through it and turn as hard as I could. I mean we tried every other way to do it, that was just a desperate annoyed attempt to get it off and it worked.

Just take your time and dont end up tightening it more by turning "Right"
You ever hear "Righty tighty", "Lefty Loosie" that goes for most bolts and screws.

 

Another good rule, for when you aren't looking the bolt head-on, is the "right-hand rule." Not as easy as lefty-loosey...but:

Do a thumbs-up with your right hand, and point the thumb in the direction you want the bolt to go. The way your fingers curl is the way to turn the bolt (thanks, dad--I still remember that from when I was like 8 )