Stripped Threads in Oil Pan

[04LSforever]

FML! The Picture pretty much tells it all. I have probably done around 20 oil changes on my Aveo since I have had it (5 years, 70,000 miles) and have never thought that I was over torquing the drain plug.
I have done research to fix it and I think I will drill it to 16mm and tap it to 18mm (The OEM plug is 14mm-1.5). Anyway, to avoid this happening again I am going to use this $22.95 solution>https://www.qwikvalve.com/home.php.
Has anyone tried these before? Sounds like it should be standard equipment. An oil change with no tools!
The Aveo uses, as I mentioned a 14mm-1.5 drain plug, which they call the F-106 if anyone is interested. I am going to try it, however I will need the F-104 to fit my 18mm re-tapped hole. Ill post pictures when I get it all sorted out.

Any alternate suggestions, please post.

[thehunterooo]

page dont work for me, but seems like the best idea besides replacing it

[Monzaveo]

How much is a new oil pan and gasket?

Maybe one from a junkyard aveo? Or from one thats suffered a timing belt break??

[thehunterooo]

should be $100 or so, better off tapping a new thread if it can be done easily

[petrified.rabbit]

i am guessing, really. that looks like a helicoil and is probably steel? that is inserted into the aluminum.

I cant verify that, but if that is the case, you might be better off turning it out and replacing it, than tapping into the aluminum one size bigger. The one thing i can say is your oil pan solution will probably work well since you only to to thread the new drain once.. so i think your ok there. use a good thread locker too.

[Daox]

Any alternate suggestions, please post.

I got a pan from my original engine. I'd be willing to get rid of it fairly cheap. PM me if you're interested.

[johnygogo]

Oh boy, I don't like this thread but it might come in really helpful! I believe last time I did an oil change some of the threads (first thread) on my oil pan started to strip but I broke it off with my fingers, used a crush gasket but I had to over torque so it didn't leak. I'm due for an oil change any day now and I'm a little nervous.

I wonder if you can take it out and insert a heli coil as mentioned. This might turn out to be an oil change nightmare. I hope everything works out or teflon tape might turn out to be my best friend.

[johnygogo]

Well...good news!!! I just phoned GM and they have a part called an " oil pan drain plug insert" and it costs about $6 with taxes. They don't have any in Canada so they have to order it from Michigan and it will take 7 - 10 business days. I think I'm going to purchase it and wait on my oil change just in case this happens!!!


The part number here was: 96490031 ( oil pan drain plug insert)

Hope this helps because it may just help me one day!! \/


I'm still wondering even if you get the plug insert if you have to drill and re-tape???

[petrified.rabbit]

$6 for a factory sized helicoil is a pretty good deal, do you know how to put it in?

[johnygogo]

Thats the problem I was just thinking about. Do you have to drill and re-tape it? I'm sure they won't give you any tools.