Broken oil pan bolt.

J

jaguar6165

Senior Member
Well I did it again, I snapped an oil pan bolt head clean off after my torque wrench decided not to "click" when I reach proper torque. This is actually the 2nd time I've done this, I know how dumb. The first time was a few years ago and I don't remember how I removed the threaded shaft. I remember it being fairly easy, but I cant figure out how I did it. Any suggestions/tricks on easily removing it?
 
I thought the pan bolts were only to be made "hand snug"? No suggestions on removing the broken one; however, you may be overtightening them if you have done it twice.
 
never use a torque wrench on pan bolts or any pan...
use a hand ratchet and choke up on the handle.. when you see the gasket start to move stop..
the oil pan bolt should remove easily with an ez out or drill it with a left handed drill bit that will also usually remove it.
if there is nothing to grab onto you can also try tapping it around with a pointy awl
the bolt should not be in there that tight
 
Yeah, I seem to recall one of the books saying something insane like 20 ft\lb for oil pan bolts which is far far off.

If I had to guess I'd say 5 ft/lbs or less. Use a 1/4" ratchet and put them fairly tight but don't go crazy.

Can an easy out be used to remove the bolt? It should come out fairly easy now that there's no real pressure on it with the head gone and all.
 
Yeah I went with 20 as my book suggested.. Clearly the one was way over tightened but using a larger torque wrench made it easy as there was plenty of leverage so it didn't seem like it was getting too tight
 
That should read be 20 INCH pounds, not Foot pounds (Mistake in the book that has never been corrected)
 
When you tightened the bolts enough to break they may have extended through the block. If so a small pair of vice grips may do the job.
 
I tried an easy out, but I think my drill is a little low on battery. Unfortunately its the bolt right in front of the starter so that is making it a little difficult from the top side. Ill try the to get a good charge on the drill and have at it again. I believe the first time I did it i was lucky to have it break in a way that a flat head screwdriver had enough to grab onto and back it out.
 
If you were actually able to torque all the other bolts to 20 foot pounds you may have pinched the gasket in many places and it may leak. You might have to start over with a new pan gasket just snugged up. Using a nut driver will help prevent you from having the leverage to over tighten.
 
Fullraceflathead said:
If you were actually able to torque all the other bolts to 20 foot pounds you may have pinched the gasket in many places and it may leak. You might have to start over with a new pan gasket just snugged up. Using a nut driver will help prevent you from having the leverage to over tighten.
Click to expand...


I agree.
I'd pull the pan and install a new gasket because you're almost guaranteed to have leaks now. :(
 
Since they should have had lock washers take the old broken bolt head piece and remove the lock washer , place a nut that will fit in the standard socket so it takes up most of the room in the socket, then put the broken bolt head up along with the socket and using pressure try and back out the bolt . There really shouldn't be any great amount of resistance to it

Hopefully it will back out . Sometimes with broken fasteners they will back out with the mating piece with a little careful care and finesse
Larry Shepard
 
Have you tried a left hand drill bit ? Remember to spin that bit CCW.

Just in case it has to drilled out and re-tapped, drill the hole exactly in the center.

There are only a few places where torque wrenches should be used. I also see folks use them incorrectly.
 
I've looked over the pan and gasket all seem to be fine and no leaks other than a small drop here or there. The gasket doesn't look like it squeezed out. I took it for a test run and got it warmed up, it isn't leaking so I'll get the bolt out and put a new one in hand snug.
 
larrys40 said:
Hopefully it will back out . Sometimes with broken fasteners they will back out with the mating piece with a little careful care and finesse
Larry Shepard
Click to expand...
Larry, Dog:cool: here, Whut's FINESSE? is thet supmpthin' I should know about? I know about L/H drill bits:D & L/H Monkey Wrenches:D & Cable Stretchers:D
Buster T.:cool:
 
If the bolt that is broken is a through bolt as you've stated it should thread out of the top. Drill a small hole in the bolt from the bottom and then use a larger drill that will grab the drilled hole. It should drive the broken section out unless the bolt had a shoulder on it.
Good luck!
 
Fullraceflathead said:
If you were actually able to torque all the other bolts to 20 foot pounds you may have pinched the gasket in many places and it may leak. You might have to start over with a new pan gasket just snugged up. Using a nut driver will help prevent you from having the leverage to over tighten.
Click to expand...

MrTube said:
I agree.
I'd pull the pan and install a new gasket because you're almost guaranteed to have leaks now. :(
Click to expand...

I'd be more surprised if it did not leak.

You are going to have to remove what need to be removed to get at the area. Use a fully charged drill and a sharp bit no need to to take a chance of it walking on you.
 
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