mtom01

I was trying to drain out some fluid out of the trans through the transmission pan drain plug. I had the right tool; I don't know somehow it slipped and now the hole is just too rounded up and I cannot get the plug removed.

I usually do this drain and fill when I do an oil change. Any tips to get this out, without removing the pan.

One other thing - if I go to a Toyota dealer and get a plug for a Highlander will it fit?

2000 RX with 72K.

carguy07

Maybe vice grips/needle nose vice grips on the head of the plug?

Screw Extractor would probably work.



http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00966196000P




I swear I remember seeing a smaller back up head inside the regular one. See if you can see it with a flash light. It looked like you could use a smaller Allen or maybe star wrench if the main one rounded off.

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

So the drain plug head is rounded or the threaded hole it screws into?
What size (mm) is the drain plug? I think craftsman makes an extractor that attaches to your ratchet to remove stripped bolts. Something like this:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952166000P

bob2200

My recollection is that the transmission drain plug takes a 10mm hex key. That's pretty hard to strip. I think I'd try to use 5-minute epoxy and epoxy the 10mm hex key socket-wrench-extention in the rounded hole, and try removal after it hardens. You can readily loosen the epoxy by heating, or impact.

mtom01

Screw Extractor would probably work.

The tranny plug uses a 10mm hex key. I was thinking about the screw extractor. I'm afraid if the extractor goes through the plug and ending up with metal shavings right into the tranny, worse what if I hit something.

Vice grip -- not sure if there is enough clearance to get a good grip.

Epoxy trick never thought of that, anyway my plug is ruined - so one more way to get this out.

Now I'm thinking if there a plug that I can replace it with; which makes this drain easier. Once I saw in a Dept store... an oil plug replacement part, you screw it in and then the end part can be hand turned to release oil.

thomas1

You could also take a file and file two flat spots on the edge of the drain plug parellel to each other, than use a wrench to remove it. Its already damaged so no big deal to file those flat areas....

Lexmex

Filing it down and using a wrench (particularly if you could get a vise wrench in there) is what I'd do. I had to do much the same to get the IACV valve screws off.

salimshah

Pipe wrench!

Remember to use new plug. If you try after market, make sure the new one is not longer than the original.

Little off topic .. Lexmex there is an old trick for anything that has thread lock on them ... for IACV screws .. with a screw driver engaged, give it couple of short raps with a light hammer.

Salim

carguy07

Were you able to look at it and see if there was the smaller head back up inside the 10mm one? I swear it's there on mine. I just can't remember if it was hex or star.