Car repair question -- oil pan plug

[Vibiana]

I got a flat tire on the way to work yesterday and AAA towed me to Midas. I had the brakes fixed while I was at it and was going to get the oil changed, but the guy told me that the plug in my oil pan was stripped (the threads) and that the entire pan would have to be replaced, to the tune of almost $400. Since I wasn't sure about it, I declined to let them do the work. I have called around to a dealership and a couple of other repair places, and they've told me that it is true, I have to replace the whole oil pan because they can't fix just the plug.

I talked to my dad, who is five states away so he can't exactly look at my car. He says that his car -- same model as mine but 4 years older -- has had the plug itself replaced, and that Midas is trying to rip me off. An elderly gentleman friend of mine referred me to his independent mechanic, who is saying the same thing and offers to fix just the plug for about $75.

I have a 2004 Ford Taurus SE. Have any of you been in this situation? The car needs an oil change, so whichever way I go this needs to be done soon, but I'm hesitant to let Midas do it. My dad thinks they probably did the damage themselves to try and force me to have the work done.

[ANDREMIKE]

sounds like a con job. How could he tell the plug was stripped without removing it? Was it put in crooked? Can you see that? Did they actually change your oil or stop before removing the plug?

Who did your last oil change? I'd have them look at it and if they say the same thing make them pay for it...

[jonw9]

My opion, but would wait for an olddude reply:

If the plug is stripped, it can be replaced.

If the pan is stripped, the "easy" and expensive way is to replace the pan. I would think that a heli-coil thread repair could be done, but it is probably more work for the mechanic, and cost probably the same.

I would certainly contact the last place that did it and tell them they screwed it up, and take it to a manger. Then I would never return to that shop again.

[Dr Mabuse]

those air gun wrenches put out serious torque and energy...

not to insult hard working people, not my intent at all, but some dolt at a midas gets on a pneumatic wrench with mis-aligned threads?... and those threads can be stripped bald in literally one second... and yes he would lie his ass off to protect his job... and you may even have a manager lying to stop from having to file damage reports to like 5 bosses above him and etc. to explain the cost of that repair... and cover his ass... or it could just be that guy...

my first instinct is someone wasn't paying attention, for some reason, hit an air wrench, or even a big torque wrench, and stripped it...

a stripped plug leaks you see... you would have had stains... with the constant vibration on that plug over thousands of miles it would leak and sometimes they even work themselves out...

the chances of that NOT being done at that place are slim... possible... but i wouldn't bet $20 on that option even with a hell of a point spread...

if that pan was stripped... less likely but possible, as the metallurgy is designed so that fixed threads are harder than the bit, in this case the bolt plug... for just such a reason as this...

you need a new pan...

[jonnyquest]

There are several ways to repair stripped threads without removing/replacing the oil pan.

1-Remove existing plug, drill oversize hole, tap hole, install new oversized plug.

2-Install a specially designed self-tapping replacement plug which has a smaller plug within it. The big plug stays put forever; the smaller plug gets removed for future oil changes.

3-Use heli-coil patented thread repair system.

These all require skilled mechanic to take proper precautions to guard against metal shavings inside crankcase.

[10-7]

Third vote for HeliCoil. My second choice would be the piggyback plug (jonnyquest option #2). There is absolutely no way I would replace the entire oil pan.

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by jonnyquest

There are several ways to repair stripped threads without removing/replacing the oil pan.

1-Remove existing plug, drill oversize hole, tap hole, install new oversized plug.

2-Install a specially designed self-tapping replacement plug which has a smaller plug within it. The big plug stays put forever; the smaller plug gets removed for future oil changes.

3-Use heli-coil patented thread repair system.

These all require skilled mechanic to take proper precautions to guard against metal shavings inside crankcase.

These are the ways to go, the local repair shop for $75 sounds right.

This is just another reason I change my own oil and whatever other work I can do on the car myself.

A new oil pan is the rip you off way to go that most shops and the dealer will take.

You can also have a valve installed so no one needs to take the bolt out anymore

http://www.qwikvalve.com/?gclid=CJKK...FQ1THgodC33syQ

This will however confuse most so callled mechanics

[Heat]

First thing, learn how to change a flat tire. Yes, I know it's cold in KC but it only takes about ten minutes if you know what you are doing. Or you can spend about five hours hours and big $$$ waiting for AAA to come and tow the car to Midas, then for Midas to to figure out different ways to screw you.

And it is very good that you told them "no" on the oil pan plug, $400 is way too much for that. What was the price quote from the dealer? And you can have it overdrilled, but personally I would get a new pan put on if you plan on keeping this car for a while.

What was the deal with the brakes, what problems were you having, what did they do, and how much did they charge you?

[Mole177]

I'm assuming the bolt head is stripped. A vise grip can get it out. I don't normally hear the threads of the bolt being stripped since it's screwed on by hand and a socket used to tighten.

[Vibiana]

Originally Posted by Heat

First thing, learn how to change a flat tire. Yes, I know it's cold in KC but it only takes about ten minutes if you know what you are doing. Or you can spend about five hours hours and big $$$ waiting for AAA to come and tow the car to Midas, then for Midas to to figure out different ways to screw you.

And it is very good that you told them "no" on the oil pan plug, $400 is way too much for that. What was the price quote from the dealer? And you can have it overdrilled, but personally I would get a new pan put on if you plan on keeping this car for a while.

What was the deal with the brakes, what problems were you having, what did they do, and how much did they charge you?

I know how to change a flat tire. I choose not to, which is why I pay AAA dues every year.

I'm not saying Midas ripped me off on the brakes and tires; I basically decided to have two tires replaced because I had already had the first two replaced last summer, and it's my understanding that tires should be replaced in pairs.

I also knew the brakes needed service, so since I had to wait while the tires came from the warehouse, I decided to let them do the brake work. They put brake pads on the front and brake shoes on the back, and they resurfaced the drums.

The total bill came to $931.87. I don't have it in front of me so I can't tell you how it broke out, other than recalling that the tires were $185 and the brakes were around $150 each for front and back, with separate charges for the work done on the drums. I read the bill to my dad and he said that while the price was a little high, his main beef was about the oil pan issue. So is mine. I think they were trying to rip me off and I resent that.

The car has NOT been leaking oil, so I am almost certain that if the plug really is stripped, Midas did it. However, I wasn't watching them when they were doing the work, so I cannot prove that. The dealership quoted me about $600 because they said Midas would be using an aftermarket oil pan and they did not.

I used to have an independent mechanic, and he retired a few years back so I've been at the mercy of the chains for a while. If this local guy does a good job, he will likely become my mechanic from here on out.

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

I'm not saying Midas ripped me off on the brakes and tires;

Midas is simply another way to spell Ripoff

Buying tires from them was probably not too bad, however, letting them do the brake work was a huge mistake.

They use a $10 set of pads and charge you the same price as if they were factory OEM or higher performance pads. They suck you in with the LIFETIME GUARANTEE on the pads. What they don't tell you (or they shrug off) is that you have to pay their outrageous labor charge when the pads needs replacing, which will be every year because the pads are such crap quality (by design).


It is too late now, but lesson learned for next time, find someone other than Midas, almost ANYONE is going to provide more value to you for your dollar.


I would have to see the after market oil pan, but about the worse it can be is thinner or made of a crappy metal compared to the FORD pan. It is not like this is a moving part where durability is a serious factor. The only questions are how thin is it and does it have the right shape to fit

I would still just fix the threads on the existing pan, there are several ways as discussed.

[Nick Danger]

You live in KC, right? Are there any Otters here who can recommend an honest mechanic to Vibs?

[Vibiana]

Originally Posted by 4KRG

Midas is simply another way to spell Ripoff

Buying tires from them was probably not too bad, however, letting them do the brake work was a huge mistake.

They use a $10 set of pads and charge you the same price as if they were factory OEM or higher performance pads. They suck you in with the LIFETIME GUARANTEE on the pads. What they don't tell you (or they shrug off) is that you have to pay their outrageous labor charge when the pads needs replacing, which will be every year because the pads are such crap quality (by design).


It is too late now, but lesson learned for next time, find someone other than Midas, almost ANYONE is going to provide more value to you for your dollar.


I would have to see the after market oil pan, but about the worse it can be is thinner or made of a crappy metal compared to the FORD pan. It is not like this is a moving part where durability is a serious factor. The only questions are how thin is it and does it have the right shape to fit

I would still just fix the threads on the existing pan, there are several ways as discussed.

Oy.

Thank you for the warning. The only time I hate being single is when something goes wrong with my car.

[Vibiana]

Originally Posted by Nick Danger

You live in KC, right? Are there any Otters here who can recommend an honest mechanic to Vibs?

I love you guys.

[Pistol Pete]

Go the oversized plug-in-plug replacement route. I did this for my sister's Rabbit many years ago and we never had another problem with it. Parts cost was about $10 at Pep-boys.

[Tygan]

Originally Posted by Nick Danger

You live in KC, right? Are there any Otters here who can recommend an honest mechanic to Vibs?

If they exist, let me know...because I have never met one.

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

Oy.

Thank you for the warning. The only time I hate being single is when something goes wrong with my car.

So you look for girlfriends that are car enthusiasts?

[Tuan Jim]

I had the same issue with some idiots from Jiffy Lube a few years back (posted here too) - stripped the plug in my oil pan. I think we solved it by getting it re-tapped or whatever you call it (been a while now). - may have just rethreaded the hole and used a new bolt/nut with a good rubber washer.

[Heat]

Have your dad call a different dealer and get a quote on replacing the oil pan. I'm just curious to see if they were quoting you a high price because you are female.

And I thought AAA would fix the flat for you? Did you choose Midas, or did they? Just wondering if the driver has a kickback scheme worked out with Midas.

[eedoon]

I'm sure it's the petcock.

[John Galt]

If the bolt head is stripped, just get some vice grips. I had to do the same thing several years ago.

[Vibiana]

The independent mechanic fixed the plug in the oil pan on Friday. Cost me $228 with the labor and an oil change (5 quarts).

He also pointed out where the front passenger side brake had fluid leaking from the caliper and the master cylinder (reservoir) was overfilled. He didn't think the rotors and drums had really been resurfaced, so I took it back to Midas on Saturday morning to complain, but the manager was one of those "let us help you, young lady" type of condescending asshats who wound up making me madder when I left than when I got there.

I am not taking it back to Midas. I think the local guy just got himself a new customer.

[4KRG]

Originally Posted by Vibiana

The independent mechanic fixed the plug in the oil pan on Friday. Cost me $228 with the labor and an oil change (5 quarts).

That was all he did? Seems about $100 too high.

He also pointed out where the front passenger side brake had fluid leaking from the caliper and the master cylinder (reservoir) was overfilled. He didn't think the rotors and drums had really been resurfaced, so I took it back to Midas on Saturday morning to complain, but the manager was one of those "let us help you, young lady" type of condescending asshats who wound up making me madder when I left than when I got there.

at least midas is consistent

I am not taking it back to Midas. I think the local guy just got himself a new customer.

I would beat him up on the prices more.

Ask specifically what his shop rate is per hour
use someplace like www.rockauto.com for part prices
then ask him how many hours each job should take

From that you should be able to figure out a more fair price.

[Mankal]

I'm gonna make sure my kid grows up to become a mechanic or a plumber when he grows up, screw that doctor/lawyer pathway.

[Vibiana]

Originally Posted by 4KRG

That was all he did? Seems about $100 too high.

I would beat him up on the prices more.

Ask specifically what his shop rate is per hour
use someplace like www.rockauto.com for part prices
then ask him how many hours each job should take

From that you should be able to figure out a more fair price.

The labor was higher because he had to actually take the oil pan off to get the plug replaced. He called me before he did this to make sure it was okay with me.

My bottom line is, the guy could have soaked me for $400 for the oil pan like Midas was going to. He didn't. But I will check out that site. Thanks for the link.