Stuck engine oil drain plug

[Wayne Dohnal]

I had the exact same problem on my newly-acquired urS4 a few months ago.  I
wasted half a day with vise-grips, channel-locks, trying to file a flat edge
on the head of the plug, etc.  I finally went to a hammer and chisel on the
larger diameter edge of the plug.  It didn't budge the plug, but did make a
notch in the edge (I dinged up the oil pan a little, too).  Because it was
so hard to swing a hammer under the car I got out the old air chisel.  I put
a blunt tip on it and hit the edge of the plug where I had cut the notch
with the hand chisel.  After about a half second (maybe 5 impacts) the plug
spun loose like nothing had ever happened.  If I had to do it again, I think
it would take 5 minutes max.

$15 for the plug?  Mine was "only" about $12.  I got 2 of them because I
don't want to have to drop everything and run to the dealer again next time
this happens.  I got myself a 6-point box wrench as another preventative
measure.

Wayne Dohnal
1994 S4


>Subject: Stuck engine oil drain plug
>Date: Thu, 07 Mar 2002 23:49:41 +0100
>
>The engine oil drain plug in my '90 200TQ20v is completely stuck. I
>guess it's the combination of alloy pan and steel plug. I just bought
>the car and now want to to the first oil change. Somebody have messed
>with the plug before, there's nothing left to use a wrench on.. Any
>good ideas on how I should remove it?
>
>I have a new drain plug here, $15 for a single plug!! :-(