[s-cars] Seized drain plug

[Jerry Scott]

Kevin
This is a common problem for the S4 drain plug and it may be caused by 
dissimilar metal corrosion. If you use a 6 point 17 mm wrench on it 
before you round off the corners, it will come off with some high 
torque.  If the corners are rounded off, you may have to use a pipe 
wrench to remove it, then get a new plug.  Always use a new copper 
gasket and torque it to the recommended 22 ft-lbs..
Jerry

Kevin Campbell wrote:

>S-heads,
>
>I recently took my 93 S4 to one of those quickie lube franchise type
>places for an oil change.  They said they wouldn't do it b'cuz the
>plastic deflector under the engine had last been put on with zip ties
>and they didn't want to be held responsible for putting it back on that
>way.  I said ok fine and took it to an indy shop (a reputable shop I use
>for major car work).  The independent shop called me back and said
>whoever put the oil drain plug on last must have used an impact wrench
>to tighten it.  So I decided to pick the car up and take it back to the
>last place where the oil change was done.
>
>Here's the irritating part.  This shop says they will "split" the cost
>of the deflector clips, but they don't feel responsible for the oil plug
>issue.  They suggested that this can happen with 13+ year old cars.
>Basically they want me to pay for a new pan and 3 hours of labor.
>
>I personally worked as an auto mechanic for 8+ years and never saw a
>seized drain plug because of a cars age (provided it was maintained and
>didn't overheat or something).
>
>Does anyone have advise or suggestions before I bend over and have them
>fix it, then waste time in small claims?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Kevin
>
>
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