Oil Change - That ^@!*ed Plug!

[Camaroboi13]

This is the one I use on my diesel, just make sure you get the correct size as the 2.0 probably uses a different size than the 3.0. I chose it because these guys are a home grown company and I support the little guys when I can. It also takes up almost no space and doesn’t hang down at all, and it works great without removing skid plates.

https://a.co/d/4AfULNU

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[Coreyb516]

Better late than never if you’re worried about breaking that bolt. Let the dealership break it.

My sister had the same issue with her Audi A4 oil filter that’s what I told her to do and just act like nothing’s wrong

 

[aeonixx1001]

Any other weak people out there?
I have a 2.0 Turbo, and can't get the bolt/plug on the oil pan to budge at all. I tried 1/2" and 13mm sockets. Even added a breaker bar. I changed the oil myself the first time, with no problem at all. I didn't even think about the oil pan plug bolt.
Over the winter (2nd oil change) I had the dealer do it -- it was cold, and I had a Jeep Wave freebie. Third oil change was supposed to be today, but I failed. Miserably. And I'm concerned I'm going to strip the plug. Any advice from more experienced ppl other than "get stronger?" I hate being weak. But I also don't see myself dedicating time to muscle building any time soon. I guess I'll cash in my next free oil change, but It's going to be well past due by the time I can get an appt.

Take it back to the Dealer and dont say a word. Put a mark on the plug so you know if its the same plug or not. Its cheaper to replace the oil pan than try to fix the bung on the pan. If you do it right that is... Oh man keep us up to date

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Every time I see this, I can't help but think it's a bad idea because of how far it would hang down. You're better off going with something like https://nospillsystems.com/ since then it's no worse a clearance/rock catching issue than a normal drain plug.

Honestly I kind of figure if you're off-roading with any of these ez-drain systems (I have one from Amazon) you should be running an engine skid too. I do agree, mine hangs down extra low, however if mine did get knocked off by rock, I'd probably be just as likely to tear open my oil pan too. All the more reason to get a skid plate on there and call it a day.

 

[ArcadeTracks]

Okay, so I didn't get around to committing to any of the nifty oil-change game-changers (like the valves or extraction systems.) BUT, we did manage to break the adapter from the socket set (Stalwart. I'm guessing it's not top of the line) trying to remove the plug this time.
The dealership had assured me they don't use air tools on the bolt for the oil pan, so I may be resigned to just taking it somewhere to get it changed from now on. Or maybe I'll finally buy one of the aforementioned systems.
But, I even had someone else give it a try, and he couldn't get it loose, either. So, maybe I'll take the Jeep to Jiffy Lube or a similar place and give it one more try after they've done their thing. It was so simple the first time I did it!

 

[Flip]

Its a tough call, wherever you take it could just tell you they can't loosen it because they're afraid they'll strip it, refuse to change the oil. Or someone actually strips it and/or rounds the oil plug to a perfect circle and just tells you, sorry it wont budge and you drive home with a now leaking, stripped, rounded oil plug. Either way, I wouldn't expect a good out come. I would suggest a well known, certified, mechanic in your area and explain the situation to them. At least its in a reputable shop where it can get fixed correctly even if it means replacing the oil pan.

 

[NWJeepr]

Lefty-loosey, Righty-tighty.

Perhaps a jack handle over the breaker bar will help you finally bust it loose-- or break the plug clean off.

Try some penetrating oil around the plug, and try to break it loose when the engine is warm.

If you're doing it while laying underneath the Jeep, you can brace your foot against one of the front tires so you can put your whole body into it.

Once you get to the point of reinstalling it, one ugga-dugga will do. No need to hang off the socket handle with your body weight.

 

[aeonixx1001]

Lefty-loosey, Righty-tighty.

Perhaps a jack handle over the breaker bar will help you finally bust it loose-- or break the plug clean off.

Try some penetrating oil around the plug, and try to break it loose when the engine is warm.

If you're doing it while laying underneath the Jeep, you can brace your foot against one of the front tires so you can put your whole body into it.

Once you get to the point of reinstalling it, one ugga-dugga will do. No need to hang off the socket handle with your body weight.

If you need a Breaker bar to get the plug off, someone screwed up bad. Who was the last person to change your oil? I would make them make it right.....

 

[richsteele]

HAHA... Not my 2.0 but my Daughters JK. The last two times I had a local mechanic do the work since he was also doing some other things. I went to do the oil change over Memorial Day and the plug wouldn't move. Brought out my impact driver and still no movement. Then broke out my torque driver and ended up stripping the head. I said screw it, sprayed some wd-40 and this past weekend got it up on the ramps so I could get a better angle grabbed my channel locks, and eventually got it free. I am not sure if it was the wd-40 or the much warmer engine or the better angle but I did get the plug out and replaced it with a new one.

I had a very similar experience. Went to do my own oil change after the free dealer changes stopped. Bolt would not budge at all, even with an impact driver. Ended up stripping the bolt. Bought a new bolt online and an extraction set but then realized the dealer does the oil change while the engine is at operating temperature. So instead of trying the extraction set, I tried using vice-grips on it after getting home from work. To my surprise, the bolt turned and I was able to remove it out without any other tools.

TL;DR - Try using vice-grips on the bolt after driving it around and letting the engine get up to operating temperature.

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