Took my car to dealership for an oil change because oil pan plug was in really tight. So the dealership calls me and says that the pan threads stripped when they took the plug out and to replace the pan would cost $600.00. I know there is a rubber temp plug that can be used but I dont know how reliable that would be. Does this price seem right? Does the engine have to be jacked up to replace pan? Any ideas on a less expensive way to go that will be reliable?

 

Pan is a complete beast to get out. That sounds about right maybe even cheap at stealership prices.

Honestly though, I would be trying to force them to fix it. It wasn't leaking when you took it in was it? If not I doubt it was stripped. They screwed up your stuff, they can fix it.

I know they make repair plugs for all kinds of things, example there is one for a break bleeder where you drill it out, tap it, screw in an insert, then put a new fitting down in it. Think of it as a helicoil that will seal. I have no idea if they make one the size of an oil drain plug though.

 

you said that the plug was really tight so it is very possible that it was cross threaded and when they took it out, It stripped the threads in the oil pan. I work at a local chevy dealer as a lube tech, and I have fixed pans with helicoils, and they dont leak. IMO its not worth it to buy an oil pan just because the drainplug threads are stripped.

 

Surely can repair the threads, and replacing the pan is serious overkill! You can repair threads on just about anything with the proper kit and installation.

In the unlikely event the threads cant be repaired, I would weld a threaded bung over the hole.

 

at our parts store we car what are called oversize oil drain plugs. you may be able to find a local parts store that carries them and use one of those. basically all they do is use whats left of the existing threads, and make there own on the way up .. we sell quite a few of them to people who find out there drain plugs have been messed up.

 

It is not likely that they screwed up the plug taking it out.
It is more than likely the fault of the last person that removen and re installed the plug. They probably cross threaded it, or over tightened it, knurling the threads.
When that happens, you dont know that there is a problem until the next oil change, which is exactly what it looks like happend.

If that dealer was the last to do the change, then I would definately hold them responsible.

 

This is just one more reason I do all my own work and stay away from the "professional". Hope the same guy didn't replace your plugs at the time of the last oil change!

 

Had the same issue with Jiffy Lube, they stripped the oil pan and they ended up paying to have the Chevy dealership rethread it. Cost bout $120 back 5 years ago, so who knows what it costs now. Agree on the fact replacing the pan on your bill is overkill, if Chevy is the last one to change the oil then make them replace it and if they say oh well we can we tap it tell them to f off and replace the whole thing like they were gonna make you. Lots of times dealerships will say replace the oil pan because they might tell you there is a risk of it leaking, but like the other guy said get an oversized plug, ive had one ever since and never had any issues.

 

I sure dont consider a "lube tech" a professional!

But regardless, if something like that happens at my shop, I fix it gratis no matter if we did it or it was previously overtorqued, etc. Takes about 10 minutes to do the helicoil.

 

Thread tap and oversized drain plug! I just did this to my 93. A crush washer might not be a bad idea either. Just buy several of them at once so you don't have to keep running back to the parts store each time.

 

My last oil change was from a dealership in FL. I live in NJ so there is no way to hold them responsible. I did get my car back today and they just temp plugged it for now. They said they can not make any "after market" repair and the correct fix would be to replace the pan. They only charged me for an oil change. When I get my next oil change ill probably get a piggy back over sized plug and have them weld the main plug in and use small plug for oil changes. Thanks for the replies.