Hi board, I just purchased my Fiero, a 1988 coupe with 2.5 iron duke. I was planning to change oil tonight but couldn't remove drain plug off. Even with a 1/2"reaker bar it wouldn't budge. Any ideas? Thought of applying some heat but not sure if I would damage filter assembly. Any suggestions woulld be appreciated.

Thanks, Glenn

Get a length of pipe, and put it over the handle of your breaker bar, and you'll be amazed how easy it will come out :P

Of course, it might break your plug too... depending on weather it's stuck harder than the metal is :P

There is a special tool that is about 3 1/2 inches round that expands when you tourque on it and grips the giant drain plug, I still have mine in my tool box since 1992. I picked it up at a napa I think...

Welcome to the forum.

No, the heat shouldn't hurt hurt the filter but it will definitely hurt the rubber gasket on the oil drain cap. I couldn't recomend heat but if you do, have an extra oil drain cap gasket on hand, and a fire extinguisher, at you own risk.

I used a rubber mallet and some PB blaster although I don't think the PB did anything for me. I got a good 6-point long wrench on to the cap nut and patiently, carefully used a stout hammer to repeatedly tap at it. I worked mine just a brake bleeder screw, a couple hits to loosen and one to tighten and kept repeating. I was using the repeated shock value to break the bond of rust on the threads loose simulating an impact hammer's action.

Use anti-sieze on the threads afterwards.

Welcome to the madness.

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jetman
Silver 86 SE 2M6 4-speed, with "check wallet light"
Now fortified with 8 essential slices of bacon goodness

I wouldn't use heat from a flame source. Perhaps a heat gun. Why not use an impact gun? If you are careful it might jarr it loose.

When you do get it off, get a new one. I saw one the other day on peg boards at a Pep Boys store, near where they had the oil. Much cheaper that what the Fiero Store wants.

Rightey Tightey,Lefty Loosey.....he,he,he.

quote Originally posted by James Bond 007: Rightey Tightey,Lefty Loosey.....he,he,he.

LOL! Yea! Remember to go the right way!!! As you look at from underneath the wrench should be turned counter-clock wise. Wait...is that right?...er....lefty lucy....YEA!!

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84 Duke, Holley TBI, Manual Trans 4.10, CompuCam, White

quote Originally posted by James Bond 007: Rightey Tightey,Lefty Loosey.....he,he,he.

Turning something "left" or "right" to loosen/tighten has never made sense to me.

With normal (not reverse) threads, it's either clockwise (to tighten) or counter-clockwise (to loosen).

http://www.lislecorp.com/
53000
http://www.lislecorp.com/to...tail.cfm?detail=1063

It expensive but its only thing.

Most auto part can order it.

Get new filter plug to.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/
65224

Most auto part can order it to. Get 2.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 08-01-2009).]

Thanks for the tips. I called Napa about the Lisle removal tool and they didnt have it so I will look elseware. Hopefully it will come off with that.

Try to find an Auto Value affiliate... I work for em and we carry Lisle tools.

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1987 SE 2m4 Iron Duke

Go, my minions!

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Turning something "left" or "right" to loosen/tighten has never made sense to me. With normal (not reverse) threads, it's either clockwise (to tighten) or counter-clockwise (to loosen).

Left and Right refer to the top of the bolt, which ever way that is going

I just look at my right hand, point the thumb the direction you want to go and turn the direction of the fingers.

i bought a filter removal cup from MAC tools last year, best investment. goes on a 3/8 ratchet, as you spin it right it opens up, left it torques dowm. i've COLLAPSED a filter with that tool.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: Left and Right refer to the top of the bolt, which ever way that is going

I know what you mean, but it still makes no practical sense. When you're under a car reaching for a bolt in some obscure location, who's to say where the "top" of the bolt really is?

A big wrench always seemed to work better for me on these than a ratchet (less "wobble").

Spray a penetrant/lubricant on the filter "lid" that is stuck first.

If it won't loosen, try actually tightening it a smidgen then loosen, you'd be surprised sometimes it will help.

Anything comes off if you hit it hard enough....

As the old saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer! :P

Actually it could help if you used a big wrench and tapped on it with a hammer while pulling the wrench twards loose..

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-18-2009).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: I know what you mean, but it still makes no practical sense. When you're under a car reaching for a bolt in some obscure location, who's to say where the "top" of the bolt really is?

Perspective is everything.

Spin wrenches long enough and you just know which way the nut/bolt turns.

I got the Lisle tool and it finally came off. Best $30 investment. Thanks for the tips!!

quote Originally posted by Whynotreuse: Spin wrenches long enough and you just know which way the nut/bolt turns.

Wondering which way to turn a nut or a bolt is not an issue for me as I've been "spinning wrenches" for more than 40 years. I just don't agree with describing rotational direction as "left" or "right". It was actually old-time mechanics who schooled me on that when I was a 17 year old apprentice mechanic way back in the early 70's.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Turning something "left" or "right" to loosen/tighten has never made sense to me. With normal (not reverse) threads, it's either clockwise (to tighten) or counter-clockwise (to loosen).