Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Morning all

I did a quick oil change yesterday....turned out to be not so quick.
Sump plug stripped.....used torque wrench but it never torqued...so I don't trust midas torque wrenches...anymore.

Mech can only help me on Monday...should be ok with out the pajero, we can make a plan......but we really want to go to the Barberton POCSA trip this weekend.

Mech suggested that I drain the new oil, remove oil filter, get someone to tap the sump (got a number from him), flush engin with 2l Diesel, wait for all diesel to drain, refit oil filter, refit sump plug, fill with new oil. Should be good until Monday when I take the car to him for some other work.

Now my concerns are:
All goes well until I have to refit the sump plug...stage freight.....mess it up again.......scream, shout, go into depression.

Other concern...all goes well, drive to Barberton, enjoy the wonderful trip...somewhere up the mountain....something goes wrong and oil starts leaking or worse....now I have to get down somehow.....and being on the mountain with a bunch of nice people....they will want to help......wasting the rest of their day to help me get the vehicle down so it can be towed to a mech...from there, other issues like getting back to Pretoria, get the car sorted etc...

So I think the safest option will be to leave the car as is, just drive it to the Mech so he can sort it on Monday.

How much does it leak?
Is there a chance of it falling out?

First prize would be to remove the sump to have the thread fixed.

To tap it to the next size is the next best solution.
Managing the metal bits would be the main concern.
Use a magnetic sump plug if possible.
I would use the oil you have just put in as flush, not diesel.

On tightening a sump plug:

Use a new soft copper washer.
I use a short ring spanner only, and tighten it without having the veins on my neck bulge!
No long rachets or torque wrenches!
Rather to loose, than to tight.
Check for leak and tweak a bit, if necessary.

Hi 4ePajero

Removing sump would be first price I agree, but I don't have the knowledge to get it done....from what I could gather from the manual, the cross members etc have to be removed.

I believe the tap option will have to do.
Magnetic sump plug...can I get that from midas or autozone?

Using the current oil as a flush....shouldn't I be concerned about current metal shavings that might have ended up in the oil when stripping the sump bolt? Is the diesel a bad idea?

O...on the how much does it leak question....oil level was still ok this morning when I checked it, but there was some oil on the carton box (trying to save the paving), but that it what is seeping from the bash plate, no idea what it looks lke ontop of the bashplate...believe there should be some there.

At least it's not flowing, just dripping slowly but I'm afraid if the oil gets hot, this could change.

I don't think the plug will sommer fall out....but I will not take my chances so would like to get this fixed asap.

Phone around for magnetic plugs. (Confirm the next size up with your mechanic).

To start any engine with diesel in the sump is a bad idea IMHO. (0W5 viscosity )
Just passing it through the engine (without starting) won't do more than oil would.

Buy the cheapest oil you can find to flush with, if you are worried about metal shavings.

Ok, I've tried several shops...no one can help me this week, so trip is cancelled and pajero will go for fix on Monday.

School fees paid:
*Don't use midas torque wrench.
*Don't change oil 3 days before departure...do it at least a week or more before.

I've been advised against heli-coils. Also,some internet forums say they start leaking again so not the best permanent fix.
Best option is to remove oil pan, brace in a new nut.

MThompson wrote: School fees paid:
*Don't use midas any torque wrench.

Fixed!

4ePajero wrote:

MThompson wrote: School fees paid:
*Don't use midas any torque wrench.

Fixed!

Correct

No man!!!

Maak 'n plan! You cant not go on the Barberton trip!

If the plug is tight enough to not fall out and just leaking slightly just seal it with a good blob of silicon. Take a packet of metal glue, what do you call it again? I have a packet always in my car in any case to fix cracked sumps, if it all falls apart on the trip and just seal it up properly then and there in a few minutes. Maybe just take some spare oil with.

If you are worried to do the trip alone just give me a PM and we travel together.

CATS

No man!!!

Maak 'n plan! You cant not go on the Barberton trip!

If the plug is tight enough to not fall out and just leaking slightly just seal it with a good blob of silicon. Take a packet of metal glue, what do you call it again? I have a packet always in my car in any case to fix cracked sumps, if it all falls apart on the trip and just seal it up properly then and there in a few minutes. Maybe just take some spare oil with.

If you are worried to do the trip alone just give me a PM and we travel together.

CATS