How to Remove a Stuck Oil Pan Plug: Expert Tip

Easiest way to loosen a stuck oil pan plug

An oil pan plug can become corroded, seized, or stripped over time, making their removal a challenging and sometimes seemingly impossible endeavor. However, if you follow the tips I’ve shown here, you can loosen a stuck oil pan plug with less effort and less risk to the drain pan threads.

Get rid of the sockets and adjustable wrenches

The best way to remove a stuck oil pan drain plug is to realize your present tools aren’t working.  Hopefully, that’s where you are right now. If you’re using a socket and ratchet, STOP. If you’re using an adjustable wrench, put it away, you’ll only make a bad situation even worse. You’ll never get the drain plug out using a socket because sockets don’t apply force in the same place as the drain plug and can easily cause stripping.

So, head off the a tool store to buy a 6-point box end wrench and a soft blow hammer. You’ll use the 6-point wrench instead of a socket and ratchet because it’s less likely to strip the oil drain bolt.

Why does a 6-point box end wrench not strip the stuck oil pan plug?

Two reasons: 1) The wrench is in the same plane as the oil drain bolt. When you use a socket and ratchet, you move the plane or toque away from the bolt head by the height of the socket. 2) A 6-point wrench or socket won’t strip the corners off the bolt like a 12-point socket or wrench.

Loosen the stuck oil pan plug with soft blows

Apply the wrench to the drain plug bolt and hold it in place with your thumb. Strike the open end of the wrench a dead blow hammer. This way, you’re applying force in the same place as the bolt head and the 6-point box end will prevent stripping the hex head.

This always works.