2005 Escape Oil Pan Bolt Too Tightly Torqued

Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.
I will bring it back to the mechanic who did the last oil change and
ask why this bolt needs to be torqued so high. This is an aluminum pan
and I was afraid that I would crack the aluminum if I applied too much
torque.
Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
experienced.

"m" > wrote in message
...
> Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
> the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.
> I will bring it back to the mechanic who did the last oil change and
> ask why this bolt needs to be torqued so high. This is an aluminum pan
> and I was afraid that I would crack the aluminum if I applied too much
> torque.
> Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
> dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
> experienced.

Let me suggest that if you try to take it off, it will either come off or it
wont.
A mechanic can do no better, in general. When he tries to take it off, it
will either come off cleanly, or it can strip threads, or the bolt can
break, and
there is little he can do to stop it.

And, if if screws up, the mechanic is not likely to absorb the loss. Why
should he?

Dissimilar metals dont necessarily cause a bolt to freeze up UNLESS there is
a corrosive electrolyte involved OR unless the bolt and pan were put
together
when the temperature differences were large.

So, you have to make a choice...do it yourself and probably do fine, do it
yourself
and risk a problem, or take it to a mechanic who has similar statistics.

m wrote:
> Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
> the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.
> I will bring it back to the mechanic who did the last oil change and
> ask why this bolt needs to be torqued so high. This is an aluminum pan
> and I was afraid that I would crack the aluminum if I applied too much
> torque.
> Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
> dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
> experienced.

Lots of us have experience with that.
Your choice is either to take it off your self or find some one that can.

> Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
> the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.

Common problem when you let underqualified folks work on your car.

> Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
> dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
> experienced.

Yes, and I no longer let anyone wrench on my car for anything as a
result. The best advice I can give you is to learn how to do your own
oil changes and basic maintenance. Even if you cannot do major
repairs, being able to do minor repairs and maintenance will pay for
itself in the sense that YOU care about your car, YOU will do the job
right, and YOU can do the extra details like putting anti-seize on the
threads of the fasteners you remove and so on.

Buy the service manuals for your vehicle and read them. You can do
almost anything yourself or with the help of a friend. Cars aren't as
complicated as the crooked mechanics of this world would like you to
think. And if you absolutely must take your car to a shop, get some
referrals from friends. Beware of anyone who advertises their
expertise, GOOD mechanics don't have to go looking for work, the work
comes looking for THEM.

Good luck with it.

Chris

HLS wrote:
>
> "m" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
>> the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.
>> I will bring it back to the mechanic who did the last oil change and
>> ask why this bolt needs to be torqued so high. This is an aluminum pan
>> and I was afraid that I would crack the aluminum if I applied too much
>> torque.
>> Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
>> dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
>> experienced.
>
> Let me suggest that if you try to take it off, it will either come off
> or it wont.
> A mechanic can do no better, in general. When he tries to take it off, it
> will either come off cleanly, or it can strip threads, or the bolt can
> break, and
> there is little he can do to stop it.
>
> And, if if screws up, the mechanic is not likely to absorb the loss. Why
> should he?
>
> Dissimilar metals dont necessarily cause a bolt to freeze up UNLESS
> there is
> a corrosive electrolyte involved OR unless the bolt and pan were put
> together
> when the temperature differences were large.
>
> So, you have to make a choice...do it yourself and probably do fine, do
> it yourself
> and risk a problem, or take it to a mechanic who has similar statistics.
>

Well, if it's the mechanic *that did the last oil change* - if it mungs
up, I think he bears some (all?) of the responsibility.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:11:28 -0400, Nate Nagel >
wrote:

>HLS wrote:
>>
>> "m" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
>>> the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.
>>> I will bring it back to the mechanic who did the last oil change and
>>> ask why this bolt needs to be torqued so high. This is an aluminum pan
>>> and I was afraid that I would crack the aluminum if I applied too much
>>> torque.
>>> Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
>>> dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
>>> experienced.
>>
>> Let me suggest that if you try to take it off, it will either come off
>> or it wont.
>> A mechanic can do no better, in general. When he tries to take it off, it
>> will either come off cleanly, or it can strip threads, or the bolt can
>> break, and
>> there is little he can do to stop it.
>>
>> And, if if screws up, the mechanic is not likely to absorb the loss. Why
>> should he?
>>
>> Dissimilar metals dont necessarily cause a bolt to freeze up UNLESS
>> there is
>> a corrosive electrolyte involved OR unless the bolt and pan were put
>> together
>> when the temperature differences were large.
>>
>> So, you have to make a choice...do it yourself and probably do fine, do
>> it yourself
>> and risk a problem, or take it to a mechanic who has similar statistics.
>>
>
>Well, if it's the mechanic *that did the last oil change* - if it mungs
>up, I think he bears some (all?) of the responsibility.
>
>nate

10 to 12 pound-feet of torque is all you need to set an oil pan drain
bolt. It ain't rocket science, but it does require a torque wrench.

Nick

Actually when I tried to remove the bolt, I did not have a very long
wrench and perhaps I couldn't get enough torque to break the bolt
loose? Seemed like I did but I got a bit paranoid when I saw the
aluminum pan. I had a 3/8 craftsman socket drive and maybe it was the
wrong tool?

Also, it is really difficult to get under this vehicle even though its
an SUV. My 95 Jeep Cheroke is way easier to work under.
M


On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:37:05 -0700 (PDT), Hal >
wrote:

>> Recently tried to do my own oil change on my Escape. I tried to unbolt
>> the plug drain (15 mm bolt) and found that I couldn't budge the bolt.
>
>Common problem when you let underqualified folks work on your car.
>
>> Anyone have experience with this? Someone mentioned to me that the
>> dissimlar materials causes the bolt to freeze up like what I have
>> experienced.
>
>Yes, and I no longer let anyone wrench on my car for anything as a
>result. The best advice I can give you is to learn how to do your own
>oil changes and basic maintenance. Even if you cannot do major
>repairs, being able to do minor repairs and maintenance will pay for
>itself in the sense that YOU care about your car, YOU will do the job
>right, and YOU can do the extra details like putting anti-seize on the
>threads of the fasteners you remove and so on.
>
>Buy the service manuals for your vehicle and read them. You can do
>almost anything yourself or with the help of a friend. Cars aren't as
>complicated as the crooked mechanics of this world would like you to
>think. And if you absolutely must take your car to a shop, get some
>referrals from friends. Beware of anyone who advertises their
>expertise, GOOD mechanics don't have to go looking for work, the work
>comes looking for THEM.
>
>Good luck with it.
>
>Chris

"Nate Nagel" > wrote in message
...

>
> Well, if it's the mechanic *that did the last oil change* - if it mungs
> up, I think he bears some (all?) of the responsibility.
>
> nate

You might have to have a strong case, if that mechanic didnt want to
bear the responsibility. You know, as well as I, a lot of mechanics
make mistakes and manage to charge it back to the client anyway.

"m" > wrote in message
...
> Actually when I tried to remove the bolt, I did not have a very long
> wrench and perhaps I couldn't get enough torque to break the bolt
> loose? Seemed like I did but I got a bit paranoid when I saw the
> aluminum pan. I had a 3/8 craftsman socket drive and maybe it was the
> wrong tool?
>
> Also, it is really difficult to get under this vehicle even though its
> an SUV. My 95 Jeep Cheroke is way easier to work under.
> M

I have a 3/8 Craftsman wrench as well, and that could easily be too short
to make removing this drain plug an easy matter. You may want to try
something a little longer.

Previous poster made a good point about a torque wrench, especially
when you are working with aluminum alloy. Experienced mechanics
can usually "feel" when a bolt is tight enough, but nothing replaces a
torque wrench, IMO.

One more thing, M...I know this probably doesnt apply to you, BUT I worked
with a
young small engine mechanic recently, and he still has problems with
"righty, tighty...lefty, loosey"

I was surprised, but I have to realize that some people will always have
problems with this.