Mechanic Help
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: Off Topic
Forum Discription: Anything non-Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19874
Printed Date: January-10-2025 at 10:14pm
Topic: Mechanic Help
Posted By: OverMyHead
Subject: Mechanic Help
Date Posted: November-01-2010 at 2:37am
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We own a 2004 Chrystler Pacifica With just under 100,000 miles on it. we purchased it at 45,000 miles and due to a great oil change offer from the dealer have had it serviced there exclusively since. At the last oil change they told us the plug would not get tight in the oil pan. When questioned they said the steel plug wears out the aluminum pan over time. I stated this should not happen unless it was over torqued or cross threaded. They said they always torque to spec and they offered to show me the plug to prove it was not cross threaded. Since they already told me the plug was steel and the pan was aluminum I stated it would prove nothing. For the time being they upsized the plug but say this will not last and want us to have the oil pan replaced at our expense, specifically $900. Am I right that this is their fault? I know that oil changes are where they start the new guys. Do I have any recourse, and if so what do I arm myself with to go in for a fight. Is there a less expensive permanat fix for this? ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Replies:
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: November-01-2010 at 2:57am
Dave, http://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html - here is one way to fix it but I'll bet a dealer won't do it,he'll most likely want to replace the pan.Since you have time check with some friends or co workers and see what independent shop they recommend and check with them. I'll bet Eric would do it,but he's a little too far away from you  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: November-01-2010 at 10:06am
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not many choices, if the pan could be snuck out easily i would change the pan, but not at your local 100.00 an hour dealership. my first choice would be the heli-coil though. and to answer your question about does this happen often, yes it does, the threads just wear out.
check around some other local well known shops. the only problem i have with dealerships besides the hourly cost is the flat rate system. its piece work and corners get cut ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: Waterdog
Date Posted: November-01-2010 at 11:47am
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The heli-coil is a good idea, we use them in aluminum threads often. If you cut new threads with a heli-coil tap grease the tap to catch the shavings. ------------- - waterdog - http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=3896&sort=&pagenum=2&yrstart=1978&yrend=1978" rel="nofollow - 78 Ski Tique |
Posted By: Waterdog
Date Posted: November-01-2010 at 12:11pm
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Just got off the phone with my bro-in law the dealership mech, You can buy 1,2&3 over sized oil drain plugs from your local auto parts store. They just thread right in. But the Stealerships stance is to replace the pan if the thead is striped. 10 bucks or so and your good to go!!! ------------- - waterdog - http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=3896&sort=&pagenum=2&yrstart=1978&yrend=1978" rel="nofollow - 78 Ski Tique |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: November-01-2010 at 10:47pm
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Thank you all for the great advice, I will work my way uo thrugh the oversized plugs ( I will stock them in the vehicle) and then tap it out for steel threads when they no longer hold. ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: horkn
Date Posted: November-02-2010 at 12:52am
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You should only need the next up sized plug. The aluminum pan is only messed up due to shoddy work IMHO.
Did the dealership mess it up? I would bet they did. But I highly doubt they would fess up to it. I highly doubt that the oil pan would be easily snuck out on that 3.5 V6. I say use the plug thread fix and be done with it, and that dealerships oil changes. If you take it elsewhere and don't do your own oil changes, then I would let the shop know you have an oversized plug on it, just in case some lackey attempts to put a stock plug or other incorrect plug in it. ------------- 78 martinique- refloored, reinforced, stringers re glassed, re engineered interior GT40P heads Edelbrock Performer intake acme 4 blade http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/horkn/fish/nautique.jpg |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: November-02-2010 at 1:20am
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Good advise for the next shop. The dealaership offers 24$ oil changes with a free car wash. Just good enough to keep me out from underneath. they have taken good care of us up until now. I am just glad there is an alternative to a $900 pan. ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: OverMyHead
Date Posted: November-10-2010 at 12:18am
I found the plug in the car that they pulled out of the oil pan. Does this still look like normal wear?
 ------------- For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats. 1987 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: November-10-2010 at 10:19am
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they really need to place a heli-coil in all new pans, im assuming its an aluminum pan and at on time it was overtightened stretching the threads and what you have is the end result ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |