oil drain plug

[tammy107]

hi everyone, i'm trying to do my own oil change. me being a girl, it seems that the drain plug is too tight. either that or i'm trying to loosen the wrong plug. does anyone have a picture of the oil drain plug? i'm trying to remove the bolt thats at on this black looking container next to the oil filter. if i'm trying to loosen the correct bolt thing, any suggestions on how i can remove it ifits too tight? thanks!

[njerald]

Originally Posted by tammy107

hi everyone, i'm trying to do my own oil change. me being a girl, it seems that the drain plug is too tight. either that or i'm trying to loosen the wrong plug. does anyone have a picture of the oil drain plug? i'm trying to remove the bolt thats at on this black looking container next to the oil filter. if i'm trying to loosen the correct bolt thing, any suggestions on how i can remove it ifits too tight? thanks!

What year and what engine??????

It should be on the bottom, all alone, at the bottom of the oil pan.

[tammy107]

Originally Posted by njerald

What year and what engine??????

It should be on the bottom, all alone, at the bottom of the oil pan.

its a 2004 camry 4 cylinder. any chance you have a picture? if i take one you think you can circle the spot for me? i'm not quite sure what the oil pan looks like.

[LE05]

Originally Posted by tammy107

its a 2004 camry 4 cylinder. any chance you have a picture? if i take one you think you can circle the spot for me? i'm not quite sure what the oil pan looks like.

oil plug looks like a bolt, and its angled slightly. should be on the passenger side, at least thats the way it is on the 05. don't remove the plug thats lays flat and uses an allen key... thats your transmission fluid drain plug.

[danorthface]

it's the one next to the oil filter

[tammy107]

thanks for all the replies! so it seems like i am looking at the correct bolt. could it be that the bolt is really tight? if its hot outside, should it affect whether or not the bolt is easily removed? i feel so helpless hehe.i keep reading a bunch of posts online and it seems like its not a difficult task. however i can't get it out. so i guess not i know i'm looking at the right part. now i need some help on how to get this guy a little loose.

[diycamry]

If you're using a 14mm wrench, that's the oil drain plug. Sometimes it gets tight when the person before over tightens he bolt. When you get yours loose, just tighten enough so oil does not escape, I don't know the torque settings. Sometimes I grab my tire to get more leverage, good luck.

[danorthface]

you should get a guy friend or someone stronger to help out. They can be on there pretty tight

[tammy107]

just to be sure i'm turning it the right way, if i'm at the top right corner , i should be turning the tool thingy towards me right ? i think i might just get someone to do it for me. my poor little hands are dying

[danorthface]

turn counter clockwise

[CharmCityES]

if youre facing foreward on the car, looking at the oilpan with the wrench oon the drainplug, you want to turn it right towards the drivers side to loosen.
if it is real tight, try using a longer wrench or even some type of pipe around the wrench (cheater bar) for more leverage...this should help you break it loose easier
i usually put my wrist on the wrench and use my other hand to smack said wrist to give a quick burst of power to break the drainplug loose...can be painful but it usually works.

[CamrySExxx]

i didnt really read the above responses but imo getting the oil filter out could be a PITA on that car.

[MrSo0h0o]

when you have the wrench on the bolt, use a hammer to knock the end of the wrench. that will give you better torque on the bolt and it should loosen it up. after you drain the oil and you are ready to put the bolt back in, hand tighten and then just wrench it so its tight

[Mike Murrell]

6 Point Sockets / Wrenches Provide Best Grip.

[marc780]

Imagine you are facing the hole and screwing it in to install it, oil drain plugs always tighten clockwise, so they obviously come out CCW. That is how you need to orient your mind to know which way to turn.


Since it was changed by somebody else before you the moron probably over tightened it. alot of mechanics just love to do this and this is one the many reasons why i wont let anybody else change my oil.
After you change your own oil a few times you will know how much to tighten it so its not too loose or tight. Its not easy to under-tighten because, on my camry at least, the plug has tapered threads and seems to have little tendency to work itself loose. Just tighten it firmly and it wont loosen.

I have changed the oil on hundreds of cars but i have never found a too-loose drain plug even once. I've found plenty of over tightened ones though. Try a breaker bar or pipe on the end of your wrench and hold the socket or wrench on with the other hand while you pull with the other (so you dont round the plug edges).