Honda Car Forum

Hi,

I wanted to change the automatic transmission fluid in my 98 accord 6
cylinder. I felt the process pretty straight forward, drain with the
drain plug open, fill through the ATF filler bold (6 cylinder models).
The problem started when I tried to unscrew the ATF drain plug. This
plug is soo tight that it refuses to budge at all. Did anyone have any
problems removing this bolt ? I assume that the bolt is unscrewed
anti-clockwise. I am feeling to believe that the bolt unscrews in
clockwise motion.. is this a true assumption.. ?

Since the ratchet is directly used to loosen the bolt, after a little
struggle, the bolt head gave in and now the bolt head is deformed.. so
disappointing to see that a simple ATF oil change can be so hard..

Any thoughts.. ?

-- John

It is RIGHTY TIGHTY, LEFTY LOOSIE unless for special apps. Your drain
plug unscrews counter clockwise or to the left as you face the bolt.
Generally it is better to take a hammer and rap the end of the wrench
rather than muscle it off. That was the only way mine would come off.
Didn't tighten it that much so now it will come off a lot easier.

If the bolt head is deformed, it may have to be drilled out or the oil
pan removed to get at the bolt. Not pretty. I guess the worst would
be a new oil pan - you will have to buy a gasket and a new drain plug
as they come seperate.

"butch burton" <spacetrax@wi.rr.com> wrote in
news:1129590066.361461.102910@g14g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> It is RIGHTY TIGHTY, LEFTY LOOSIE unless for special apps. Your drain
> plug unscrews counter clockwise or to the left as you face the bolt.
> Generally it is better to take a hammer and rap the end of the wrench
> rather than muscle it off. That was the only way mine would come off.
> Didn't tighten it that much so now it will come off a lot easier.
>
> If the bolt head is deformed, it may have to be drilled out or the oil
> pan removed to get at the bolt.



A garage will use an air chisel to rotate the rounded head until the bolt
comes out. No big deal.

OP should be using correct tools. Wonder what he used? Imperial socket?



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

I have used a regular 3/8th inch rachet bought at Kragen's. I think the
company name is something like powerglide or poweredge, don't remeber
it. Looked like a good ratchet.

-- John.

I have used a regular 3/8th inch rachet bought at Kragen's. I think the
company name is something like powerglide or poweredge, don't remeber
it. Looked like a good ratchet.

-- John.

butch burton wrote:
>
> It is RIGHTY TIGHTY, LEFTY LOOSIE unless for special apps.
<SNIP>
> If the bolt head is deformed, it may have to be drilled out or the oil
> pan removed to get at the bolt. Not pretty. I guess the worst would
> be a new oil pan - you will have to buy a gasket and a new drain plug
> as they come seperate.

-----------------------------

This is an automatic Honda tranny . . I expect there is no 'oil pan'.
The threaded part is part of the tranny housing.

Very bad, maybe :-(

'Curly'

"John Edwards" <ssri1@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:1129591513.377853.159020@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

> I have used a regular 3/8th inch rachet bought at Kragen's. I think the
> company name is something like powerglide or poweredge, don't remeber
> it. Looked like a good ratchet.
>



Yes, but what size *socket* did you put on the ratchet? And was it a six-
point (hex) or 12-point (starburst)?




--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

On 2005-10-18, TeGGeR® <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> "John Edwards" <ssri1@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:1129591513.377853.159020@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:
>
>> I have used a regular 3/8th inch rachet bought at Kragen's. I think the
>> company name is something like powerglide or poweredge, don't remeber
>> it. Looked like a good ratchet.

> Yes, but what size *socket* did you put on the ratchet? And was it a six-
> point (hex) or 12-point (starburst)?

Either should have worked, unless John used an SAE socket size or
a previous mechanic used an air wrench. Are you the orig owner?
Did you use a proper metric socket size?

If the points on the head are now rounded off, you need a special box
wrench that exerts force on the flats of the hex head. Snap-on calls
this special shaped box wrench Flank Drive, Craftsman, Headlock. If
the wrenches are not long enough to provide adequate leverage, you
might consider getting these special patterns in a socket (if
available) and using a breaker bar.

nb

notbob <notbob@nothome.com> wrote in
news:FaOdnWfX0dGC0cneRVn-tw@comcast.com:

> On 2005-10-18, TeGGeR® <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:
>> "John Edwards" <ssri1@hotmail.com> wrote in
>> news:1129591513.377853.159020@g47g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:
>>
>>> I have used a regular 3/8th inch rachet bought at Kragen's. I think
>>> the company name is something like powerglide or poweredge, don't
>>> remeber it. Looked like a good ratchet.
>
>> Yes, but what size *socket* did you put on the ratchet? And was it a
>> six- point (hex) or 12-point (starburst)?
>
> Either should have worked, unless John used an SAE socket size


That's what I wonder.

Also, a 12-pointer is easier to strip.


> or
> a previous mechanic used an air wrench. Are you the orig owner?
> Did you use a proper metric socket size?
>
> If the points on the head are now rounded off, you need a special box
> wrench that exerts force on the flats of the hex head. Snap-on calls
> this special shaped box wrench Flank Drive, Craftsman, Headlock. If
> the wrenches are not long enough to provide adequate leverage, you
> might consider getting these special patterns in a socket (if
> available) and using a breaker bar.



Good sharp air chisel will have even the roundest bolt spun out in no time.

You can also MIG-weld a new bolt to the old one, and use the new one to
attack the old. Works really well.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

On 2005-10-18, TeGGeR® <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:

> Good sharp air chisel will have even the roundest bolt spun out in no time.

Even a cold chisel and ball-peen will do the trick. In fact, I'd
prefer the non-air approach. More control.

nb