Oil Filter Drain Plug 2007 Rav4

[Oshiboi]

Hey everyone got a bit of a weird topic but here goes...

Time has come to change the oil on the car. When I took the black undercover off from the car, I could see that the oil filter drain plug isn't what its meant to look like. From what I can gather you can turn the plug with a 3/8 drive. Mine however looks like it has either had a 3/8 drive stuck in it and they have welded it in, or whoever had the car before me thought they would weld something in the hole to make it impossible to come off? The weld sticks out roughly 1 cm out of the hole making grab onto it very difficult. It is also rounded off making it even harder. From what I can see, it looks like someone has chiselled off the plug previously as there are 2 chisel marks in it. I am all for doing this myself but don't want to find out that I can't get it back on!

Probably a long shot but has anyone got any idea's on what I can do? I could go to a garage but I fear that they will charge stupid prices just for an oil change.

Cheers guys

[john21245]

I wouldn't worry about putting it back in as it sounds like it should be replaced with a new plug. Just concentrate on getting it out with minimal damage.

[crofter]

Hi Osian and a big welcome to the club.

It all depends on your tools and capabilities

Have you any knowledge of things called easyouts aka screw extractors

If not these can be can be used on this problem. Basically you have to drill a hole in the centre of the plug of a size suitable to the extractor, which is then screwed anticlockwise in the hole gripping the plug and unscrewing from the sump.

Any garage worth it's salt should have these and for them is not a big job with the car on the ramp so should not charge much to do this. Have you asked anyone about what they would charge you for this.Have a look online for screw extractors as there are instructions on how use them and gives you some idea what i am going on about and you will also see that stresses that chiseling can cause are avoided to the sump

Del

[battleaxe]

photos would help identify your problem