Well, it can't get much more basic than this. Any hints on how to remove the drain plug from the oil pan on a 1988 Fiero Duke engine? Tried: 15/16" combination wrench (closest to the proper size I got). Added: 2-foot cheater pipe, then gentle persuasion from a 2-lbm sledge hammer. No apparent rotation of the plug, or the "manhole (filter) cover" around it. What gives?

Actually, nothing gives at all (yet), and I want to check with our panel of experts (Pennock's Fiero Forum, no less) before I get too carried away and shear off the oil pan bolts !

I'm assuming the "lefty loosey" rule applies here.

I haven't stuck my head directly under the pan to examine the "manhole cover" on the bottom of the pan yet, but my fingers didn't detect any peripheral ("satellite") holes there. This car leaks oil so much I'm ready to nickname her "Slick."

Any hints / tips / clues (everyone says I need to get one of those ) appreciated!

Do you have access to a GOOD impact gun? My dad's Geo was rammed on when he went to a quick lube. I tried getting it off to do his oil once and slipped the wrench and sliced my knuckle to the bone. He took it to a shop and it came right off with the gun.

I used a big ole 1/2" drive ratchet and a socket I had to buy individually at Sears (pretty sure it was a 15/16" socket - I'll check when I get home from work tonight). You may have to invest in the socket too as the combi wrench may not grip the drain plug bolthead well enough.

Is this the first time you've tried to change the filter on this car? Mine was super-tight when I bought it, too (insert joke here).

I used to hate doing that They are very tight sometimes. I would just keep trying. What size are they anyway? I used to use 23??mm I think. I know that the 1990 Iron duke pan had a drain plug off to the side to get rid of the 4-5 quarts slowly and less messy. I would have switched to one of those pans but I got the V6 in there before I did that.

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Josh

Also 88 Yellow GT :D
My pics

Stugood, I to have to do this soon. THanks for posting this thread. ONe piece of advice if you do go out and get a socket, get one of the ones for the impac rench, they are thicker and way stronger than the regular ones. I did this for my 19mm one for the lugs. I do not like to use a lug rench so I use a 1/2 inch drive with 19mm on it. I broke two before I got the impac type. Good luck, let "us" know if it works and what the size is.

Rob

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qwikgta@yahoo.com
88 T-Top coupe, 65K, Header no Cat, 16" GTZ rims, short shifter, swaybar, open element air cleaner, hood vents.
http://www.homestead.com/robsfieroproject
http://www.vafieros.com

the nut on the filter cover is Not the drain plug. It removes the whole cover.

You will very likely have to get the special wrench
Lysle makes for these plugs. It works on the cover even if the nut is stripped. Big round thing with teeth that bites the cover. Works kind of like a pipe wrench turned inside out.

Pep Boys has this tool so do many others. Pep boys keeps them with the rest of the filter wrenches.

UPDATE:
Got the tool Ogre suggested (Lisle PN 53000) at Poorman's Auto Supply for $20.85 + tax. PepBoys+ AutoZone didn't have, and couldn't order one for me.

It worked like a charm! Positioned the tool into the plug, snapped on a 1/2" drive breaker bar, put 2-foot pipe on that. Placed an old throwout bearing (I almost never throw them out ) + block of wood under the head of the breaker bar, to keep it all from squirting out of there.

No go with the 2-foot cheater pipe, but added a 5-footer (really) and gradually applied torque. When it began to yield, I was afraid I would find that the tool had slipped, but in fact the plug was beginning to turn! So old "Slick" finally gave in to gentle persuasion!

Many thanks, all, for the helpful suggestions! Now that the plug is out, I can tell you that the hex is (in my case, was) about .94" between flats, or just under 24mm.

BTW, yes, this was the first time I tried to get the plug out of this car. Next time should be easier. Thanks again

pepboys couldn't get it? interesting... The "new" store on us40 here has it right on the shelf with the reast of the filter wrenches.

Lysle has always made good stuff. I figured if anything would get it off that tool would.

I sugjest if you can goto the junkyard and dig up a couple spare ones, you do it soon. Having a spare of that plug is a really good idea. GM only used that motor from 88-91 so they are going to start getting scarce in the next few years.