Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 10:03:17 -0500 From: "The Malt Hound" <nonospaml.com> wrote in message news:65omu0drgvsdo5obtffoeecb9rgv3k83ftnospamcom... > Hello, > > Owner of a '99 9-3 CV here... I recently caused $500+ damage by > changing the engine oil myself. I was cussing out the dealership the > whole time while trying to remove a hopelessly siezed drainpan bolt. > What should have taken 15 minutes turned into a 6 hour nightmare. The > bolt was tourqued down very tightly and they used a copper washer > between the bolt head and the pan. As others have said, a copper (or aluminum) washer is required to conform to any irregularities and seal the drain plug. > > When I went to the dealership sometime later, they told me the head of > the bolt isn't designed to be loosened with a regular wrench, the > copper washer is used becuase it's soft and forms a seal, and the > torque applied was by the book. Total BS. The head of the drainplug is a standard (usually 13mm) hex head. It is not supposed to be torqued all that tight either. Only 18.5 ft/lbs. The washer was not your problem. Did you use a 6 or 12 point socket? I suppose the head could become rounded by a 12 point socket or one the wrong size, but really... at less than 20 ft.lbs? > > While I've let the dealership change my oil since, these answers have > never set well with me. > > 1. Does anyone change their own oil in a 9-3? Yes. On all kinds of vehicles. > 2. Is it really necessary to torque the sh!t out of the plug? No - less than 20 lb/ft. > 3. What makes the head of the bolt so special that the dealer claims > there is a special wrench used for oil changes? It's not. That is total BS. They're doing a CYA so they won't have to pay for your new oil pan. > 4. If you change your own oil, do you use the copper gasket? I tried > to go once without it and had a constant slow leak. Yes, I always use a sealing washer, although I have reused them many times with no adverse effect. There are also some copper (maybe bronze) washers with an integral sealing ring of plastic or hard rubber of some sort. -Fred W
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
