97 Camry Oil Pan Leak

[nobitanobi]

Hi, I have a 97 Camry, original oil pan drain bolt was taken out and a +1 in size bolt was then tapped into it, by a nearby mechanic shop. I have only changed the oil about 3 times since then and the 3rd time I noticed that the bolt cannot be tightened up (just keep on turning). Now from the oil pan drain hole, oil started to leak because of the untightened bolt, obviously. Anyone know how I can fix this without replacing the oil pan? Maybe some sort of washer? Replacing the oil pan would cost me a lot of money, and I have spent quiet much on it already, might as well buy another car. Thanks alot !

[OhioGuy82]

You're goin to have to have it re-threaded for a slighty larger bolt. It is a 5FSE?

[nobitanobi]

oil pan was already rethreaded with a +1 size drain bolt. I am using 15mm oil drain bolt currently. I just don't know how much long it will last until the oil pan is replaced. Its leaking oil pretty fast down there because of the stripped (again?) pan. I can't tight the bolt, it just keeps on spinning, and I stopped at a fairly tight position. It's a 97 camry le v4, so it should be 5FSE. Any other help would be greatly appreciated.

[mw817]

Thats the sad result of sorry mechanics... I mean come on... An oil pan is super thin metal and not much for the plug to grip to. They don't need to be torqued more than a few inch-pounds. That's why I NEVER take my car to these quicky oil change places. Nothing but factory rejects working in those places for the most part.

Sounds like you will need a new oil pan... Man that sucks... BIG bucks indeed!

[88 LE]

1. Replace the oil pan.


2. Try to fix it.


Remove the oil pan, clean it out, and weld a nut on the inside of the oil pan over the drain hole.

You'll have to find a bolt and a nut that'll work.

[nobitanobi]

Anyone knows the average price of this job? Last time I checked with a big repair shop they said around 1G.

[marc780]

Replace it? Nah id just fix the hole! Its a simple threaded hole and there are lots of ways to go on this repair.

Just DONT use any of those liquid thread repairer products in a tube...! They hardly ever work! Especially on an oil drain plug. So i wouldnt waste my time on this crap. Fix it the right way.

Use a heli coil, or just tap it out for even bigger bolt. Or tap it for a valve of some kind (but you would want to wire it shut each time when you are not changing oil so it doesnt open itself).
Lotta ways to go, heres oe.
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...it+-+Universal

If the bolt within a bolt thing (link) started to leak, you could have it brazed or even silver soldered to stop the leak.

And worse case, get an oil pan from a pick a part junkyard if they have those in your area. (Least expensive).

[foompla]

:uh:

you people crack me up. replace the pan. ill do it for 50 bucks fly me out there and your still saving money.

[Lord_Anarchy]

Forget that, I'll do it for 40 bucks LOL!!!

Yeah, man, it's not to big a deal dude. If you need a pan, check EBay or a junkyard. I'm hitting one this wednesday.. but it's for taillights and some Accord stuff. I do like the idea of welding a nut on the inside. That's what I'd do, unless the pan was DIRT cheap then it'd be a matter of getting the gasket needed (I could re-use but for all that hassle, what's a couple of bucks to get a NEW gasket?)

P.S. Sorry for threading-jacking but I laughed my butt off the last time I went to the junk yard. This ricer CRX had a intake pipe with a sock as a filter and it was DUCT TAPED!! HAHAHAH.. Doesn't he know that silk socks work much better??? LOL!! KIDDING!! J/K !