Honda Car Forum

I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to mechanic for oil changes.
How can I remove drain plug w/o stripping it? It is on VERY tight

"Richard G" <g@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:R1TVc.4520$Nk4.3594499@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.ne t...
>I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to
If worse come to worse you may have to take a chisel and hammer, put the
chisel at an angle on the edge of the plug and hit with hammer. You will
need to replace the plug. I have also drilled a small hole in the plug and
then make a bigger hole until the plug is thin on the sides. Than take a
sharp prick punch and turn it out.

Jack wrote:

> "Richard G" <g@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:R1TVc.4520$Nk4.3594499@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.ne t...
>
>>I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to
>
> If worse come to worse you may have to take a chisel and hammer, put the
> chisel at an angle on the edge of the plug and hit with hammer. You will
> need to replace the plug. I have also drilled a small hole in the plug and
> then make a bigger hole until the plug is thin on the sides. Than take a
> sharp prick punch and turn it out.

Before going that route, I'd get a 6-point, 1/2" drive, 18mm socket
(it's 18mm on my '03 Accord, best to verify this) and use a 1/2" breaker
bar. Make sure you're turning it the right way (counter clockwise as you
face it) - I can't remember ever stripping anything taking it out (but
make *sure* you're not tightening it). Be sure you use a new crush
washer. If you want to play it very cautiously, get a new drain plug
before you start.

Richard G wrote:
> I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to mechanic for oil changes.
> How can I remove drain plug w/o stripping it? It is on VERY tight
>

===================
Richard,

It went on with a socket wrench, on a HOT engine. That's how it has to
come off too. Right to tight . . Left to loose.

'Curly'

> Before going that route, I'd get a 6-point, 1/2" drive, 18mm socket
> (it's 18mm on my '03 Accord, best to verify this) and use a 1/2" breaker
> bar. Make sure you're turning it the right way (counter clockwise as you
> face it) - I can't remember ever stripping anything taking it out (but
> make *sure* you're not tightening it). Be sure you use a new crush
> washer. If you want to play it very cautiously, get a new drain plug
> before you start.

Wait! It's a 17mm not an 18mm. all hondas use a 17mm, acuras too.
if it truly is an 18 it's been replaced. a 17 is the only wrench i
keep in my oil drain bucket, and i work for honda.
Chip

Chip Stein wrote:
>>Before going that route, I'd get a 6-point, 1/2" drive, 18mm socket
>>(it's 18mm on my '03 Accord, best to verify this) and use a 1/2" breaker
>>bar. Make sure you're turning it the right way (counter clockwise as you
>>face it) - I can't remember ever stripping anything taking it out (but
>>make *sure* you're not tightening it). Be sure you use a new crush
>>washer. If you want to play it very cautiously, get a new drain plug
>>before you start.
>
>
> Wait! It's a 17mm not an 18mm. all hondas use a 17mm, acuras too.
> if it truly is an 18 it's been replaced. a 17 is the only wrench i
> keep in my oil drain bucket, and i work for honda.

My 2 previous Integras had 17mm drain bolts, but the drain bolt in my
'03 Accord sedan I-4 takes an 18mm socket. I was surprised and had to
slither out from under the car because I had taken a 17mm under with me.

"Jack" <goose1@cox-interne.com> wrote in message
news:10ig33d2q3pfc34@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Richard G" <g@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:R1TVc.4520$Nk4.3594499@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.ne t...
> >I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to
> If worse come to worse you may have to take a chisel and hammer, put the
> chisel at an angle on the edge of the plug and hit with hammer. You will
> need to replace the plug. I have also drilled a small hole in the plug and
> then make a bigger hole until the plug is thin on the sides. Than take a
> sharp prick punch and turn it out.
>
>

Great advice. I banged it a few times with a hammer and it easily came off.
I filled the crankcase up with four quarts of Citgo 5w30 oil which was on
Sale for 80 cents a quart. Next I installed a 1.97 wal mart oil filter.
total was 5.17. The quick lube joint is charging 27 bux these days. I
treated myself to a few brews with the cash I saved

My sisters 99 civic is 14mm for the drain plug. I thought
it was weird too...

t

"motsco_ _" <"motsco_ _"@interbaun.com> wrote in message news:<41289CDB.7080608@interbaun.com>...
> Richard G wrote:
> > I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to mechanic for oil changes.
> > How can I remove drain plug w/o stripping it? It is on VERY tight
> >
>
> ===================
> Richard,
>
> It went on with a socket wrench, on a HOT engine. That's how it has to
> come off too. Right to tight . . Left to loose.
>
> 'Curly'

I still only keep a 17 in my bucket. and it fits every honda made
with the factory plug.
Chip

"Sparky" <nemo@moon.sun.edu> wrote in message news:F8XVc.5450$Nk4.4246427@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.ne t...
> Jack wrote:
>
> > "Richard G" <g@nospam.com> wrote in message
> > news:R1TVc.4520$Nk4.3594499@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.ne t...
> >
> >>I bouhgt a used Accord. Previous owner took to
> >
> > If worse come to worse you may have to take a chisel and hammer, put the
> > chisel at an angle on the edge of the plug and hit with hammer. You will
> > need to replace the plug. I have also drilled a small hole in the plug and
> > then make a bigger hole until the plug is thin on the sides. Than take a
> > sharp prick punch and turn it out.
>
> Before going that route, I'd get a 6-point, 1/2" drive, 18mm socket
> (it's 18mm on my '03 Accord, best to verify this) and use a 1/2" breaker
> bar. Make sure you're turning it the right way (counter clockwise as you
> face it) - I can't remember ever stripping anything taking it out (but
> make *sure* you're not tightening it). Be sure you use a new crush
> washer. If you want to play it very cautiously, get a new drain plug
> before you start.

Good advice above! Also, make sure your new crush washer is made of Aluminum, NOT Copper, because Copper work-hardens and it only
takes a couple of oil changes to render it ineffective and it won't seal properly. Aluminum doesn't work harden. It's worth
replacing the washer each time you do an oil change anyway, in my opinion.

HTH
Cheers
Mike the Kiwi