Total newb strips his oil pan
 

You're gonna make fun of me. I accept this.

So, I have never changed my own oil before in my 20 years of driving. I got this brz a few months back (the 3rd DD of my life), and I started thinking it would be a fun project / hobby to do my own maintenance for once and learn as much as I could in the process. At the very least do my own oil changes since that's supposed to be an easy process.

I got a click torque wrench that's rated for between 10 - 150 ft lbs. I don't know what's going on with it but it doesn't seem to click ever.

After draining the oil, I grabbed the torque wrench to put the plug back in. The wrench wasn't clicking so I kept turning it thinking I had yet to get to the torque rating the plug needed. It got to the point where I was wrenching on it pretty hard, and then the resistance went way down. Then I realize that I can neither tighten nor loosen the plug.

I put the oil in and started the car up. Look below and it's dripping about one tiny drip every 2 seconds. I went for a drive and came back and it's in the same situation. I'm taking it to a real mechanic tomorrow morning and probably will need a new oil pan. If I'm lucky maybe I just stripped the plug. I'm guessing since it's a slow leak that I should be able to drive it to the mechanic rather than getting it towed.

PS while I had the car on the stands I also rotated my tires, and this same torque wrench refused to click at any point. Seeing as how many things depend on this stupid wrench, this DIY shit may not be for me.

Feel free to leave any feedback or simply poke fun at me.

And that is why I'm grabbing new torque wrench next week. I had a cheap one from crappytire which I used, but now its internal spring is broken and it stopped clicking too once proper torque is reached.

But, usually, with oil pan bolts and spark plugs, I stop when I think its tight and then I tighten is 1/4 turn more, incase I dont have torque wrench handy. Someone who takes part in rallies told me about this, when he has to make repair stops without all the tools.

Just because its rated from 10-150 ft-lb, doesn't mean it will be accurate at the lower level.. A torque wrench with that rating should be used around the 70-80 ft-lb range. Most gauges also work this way...You should have picked up a torque wrench with a lower specification. (Could even grab something that specs in-lbs for delicate things like this)

Ie. As an example, my air pressure gauge reads from 0-60 PSI, and will accurately produce readings around the ~30 psi range. Anything at the lower, or upper limit may not be as accurate.

Sorry to hear that. Don't give up on wrenching, you'll learn a lot from experiences like this. I suggest wrenching with a more experienced person by your side. He/she can help you out when you're not too sure about things like this. Good luck.

I don't think anyone will poke fun at you as there are 2 types of wrenchers, those who have mangled a simple fastener, and liars.

Was it a harbor freight torque wrench? I've had those that didn't click at all, or sometimes would slightly click. Garbage. Their 1/2" drive torque wrenches clicks well though.

All good did that a few times back in the day that's how you learn, it happens.

:eyebulge:OK, first off @Golevka........... :slap:

Now, that you have stripped the threads out of the oil pan and/or off of the drain plug, maybe your mechanic friend can re-tap the drain hole to accept a larger plug.

As far as a torque wrench, once you get the hang of wrenching, you won't need it (except to tighten down head bolts).

How do you get the "hang" of it ...... ?? Well, if when tightening bolts & nuts ..... if you strip off the threads .... it's too tight ..... if afterwards, the part falls off .... it's not tight enough ..... so, it's simply somewhere in between ..... :eyebulge:

As far as your torque wrench …… some don’t click ……they have a pointer that moves.

Now, your wheel lug nuts, I suggest you use a “X” (star) lug wrench and tighten down the lug nuts dry. Tighten until you hear 2 squeaks or you grunt twice.

Another hint on tightening most things up on cars …….. DO NOT use ½” or ¾” drive sockets (except on head bolts) …. they just twist things off …… :mad0259:

As far as the drain plug …… they have this newfangled drain petcock thing that you install and just twist to open the valve ……….. SORRY, bad idea, you would probably turn it the wrong way with your super torque wrench and twist the damn thing off ……..(sorry, I couldn’t resist …..;))



humfrz

This is the problem. I don't have an experienced person to help me. I don't have any friends who are mechanically inclined. I'm sure it would be probably a 1000% more effective way of learning vs reading things on the internet (no offense, internet).

I was a little frustrated last night but of course you can't learn something new without making a few mistakes along the way so it's all good.

This made me LOL. Thank you.

This is the one I have:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/a...ac68/9010430-P
AutoCraft 1/2" Drive Click Torque wrench.

Great post and really funny with the emoticons, especially this one:

But yeah I think the 1/2" drive and the length of the torque wrench was part of the problem. I was able to get too much force on the plug. Oh well back to the drawing board.. Thanks for your feedback :party0030:

PS, the mechanic called and I stripped the oil pan so he ordered a new one which should arrive tomorrow. I wonder how hard the oil pan is to extract...

I think its just a few bolts and a gasket, I never really looked to be honest.