grinchsr 627 #1 Posted August 21, 2021 Recently picked up a 312H project. Was doing fine until I got to the drain plug. Looks like the PO went rock crawling with it using the drain plug as a skid plate. Can't get any hex key to bite enough to remove the plug. Has anyone been successful at sucking out enough oil to make it worth while? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,275 #2 Posted August 21, 2021 (edited) AIH, I have used an engine oil extractor (uses compressed air) to suck out the oil in my c175 hydro. They claim it gets more oil and debris out then by draining. I got to say, It got oil the oil out. Edited August 21, 2021 by Maxwell-8 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,627 #3 Posted August 21, 2021 @grinchsr, did you use a small flat screwdriver to dig out that Allen plug ? the allen tool that you should have is the 3/8 drive SOCKET VERSION OF THAT . that way you can securely tap it into place , tap it in first with a hammer , ensuring its bite depth , then a breaker bar on that , should give you the mechanical advantage to break it loose. a very solid slow pull , will probably break it free , use the short allen socket , like this , https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/teq-correct-professional-3-8-drive-hex-bit-socket-3-8-tp80421n/11970569-p?product_channel=local&store=8428&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=8428&gclid=CjwKCAjwyIKJBhBPEiwAu7zll9s9J0Tapp63WoTrA6lZxqYuC20bJyQFlj4roQhoWDG2_AhYTwJ1yBoCxqMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds. to control your effort , makes tough jobs easy . pete 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grinchsr 627 #4 Posted August 21, 2021 Thanks Maxwell-8 It looks like that is the way to go because I can't get any tool to work because it looks like the PO already tried to remove it and destroyed the center of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grinchsr 627 #5 Posted August 21, 2021 Thanks Pete I use that tool normally but nothing is going to work on this one except drilling it out or pulling out the oil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,627 #6 Posted August 21, 2021 @grinchsr that's i was thinking , now that the hole center is junk you could drill it out and use a screw extractor if you choose . what ever is good for you . pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grinchsr 627 #7 Posted August 21, 2021 Drilling up side down would break my already crappy back and I know I would mess up the threads and then have to tap the threads again and I don't own a set of taps plus there is a hurricane coming not that that has anything to do with it. LOL Are you ready for it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,043 #8 Posted August 21, 2021 Sometimes you can tap a Torx bit into the damaged hex hole with enough bite to remove the plug. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grinchsr 627 #9 Posted August 21, 2021 Tried it but too mangled. Looks like I will be vacuuming the oil out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 429 #10 Posted August 22, 2021 My back isn’t great either but I think I’d jack up it as high as I could and try drilling a1/4” hole in it and use easy out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edgro 677 #11 Posted August 22, 2021 Another possibility is to drill and tap for a 1/8 pipe plug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,306 #12 Posted August 22, 2021 (edited) I get a piece of hex key wrench that is one size larger and then grind the flats at a taper till the end is the correct size. Then I hammer it into the knackered hole and use a socket to turn it out. Here is one example, others that I use have less taper. Edited August 22, 2021 by lynnmor Added photo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites