GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: 16vmk3ash on 15 February 2004, 20:03

Title: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: 16vmk3ash on 15 February 2004, 20:03
Right i need some help! I was in the process of changing my engine oil today only to find that i couldent remove the sump plug!
I have spent 2hrs trying to remove it with various tools (pipe wrench, mole grips sledge hammer etc.), but it wont budge.
I cant drive it to a garage either to have it removed as i put engine flush into the engine, so ime fcuked.

Any1 know how i could remove it?
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: golfvr6 on 16 February 2004, 15:45
try a stud extractor. otherwise you will have to syphon the oil out through the dipstick.
always make sure the sump plug will come out before putting flusher in. i learnt this the hard way myself when i serviced a mate's golf, the prick who last changed the oil had probably used an air gun, as the threads on the sump bolt were totally stripped.
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: J-man on 10 May 2004, 10:00
Is this a common rpoblem with the mk3 Golfs? Mine just went for a service (the first since i got the car) and there were problems getting the sump plug out!

Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Jamie123 on 10 May 2004, 11:34
I must admit I had the same problem with mine!!
Had to eventuallu take to a garage to get them to loosen it, only reason being I couldn't get enough leverage with the car only on axle stands!!
I put down to the previous joker doing the sump plug up with an air gun!!
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: golfvr6 on 10 May 2004, 14:59
Its not a common problem on a golf, all cars infact, depends if a thingy worked on the car previously.
If the bolt is still in good nick, jack the car up, get it on a stand, and use a nice long breaker bar, that will undo it.
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: J-man on 10 May 2004, 16:03
The car was up on the car lift and had a vary large breaker bar on it but still it wasn't for moving. Instead the whole engine was moving under the force. Its not been romoved yet as didn't want to damage the sump as it was a friend of mine doing it on his day off.

Was thinking of taking it down to kwik fit for the oil change as if they break it then they are insured for that sort of thing and will pay for a new one.
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: golfvr6 on 10 May 2004, 23:50
Try putting the car on an axle stand, grip the breaker bar from under the wheel arch while standing up, and lift it, like undoing a wheel bolt.
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Jamie123 on 11 May 2004, 13:01
To be honest mate, I'd be careful about taking it to kwik fit or somwhere alike!! Just had a bit of a bad experience in the past!!
For peace of mind I'd take to the old stealership at least you know then it'd be done properly!! (you'd hope anyway!!)
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: winstonb on 12 May 2004, 06:43
Was thinking of taking it down to kwik fit for the oil change as if they break it then they are insured for that sort of thing and will pay for a new one.

Yeah, good luck with that!
Title: Re:Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: J-man on 14 May 2004, 15:13
Got it done at a local garage but it took a bit of effort to get the sump plug out. The guy said it was touch and go as to wheather it was going to come out or break. But it didn't break so all is well.  :D
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: GLC GTI on 25 May 2006, 15:59
Got all these problems with my 16 valver at the mo :sad: gonna get my mechanic to do it as the b!tch is stuck tight!
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 25 May 2006, 16:08
Can't you get an impact driver on it  :huh:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: monkeyalan on 25 May 2006, 16:59
or a blowtorch to warm it up a bit?
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 25 May 2006, 17:07
 :grin: That could end in tears if the oil catches light
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: GLC GTI on 26 May 2006, 13:36
As I said its gonna go inthe garage next week to be done MOT is due the week after so I'll just get it all sorted at once.

Ordered a sump plug from T'bay and it looks awfully small I reckon there has been a funk up cant be arsed to send it back only cost £3 and was from Hong kong so...

Best bet a stealership foe one then? Only problem is the nearest is about 40/50 miles ha, county life.
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: rubjonny on 26 May 2006, 22:12
could always just take the sump off in the worst case, if you go that route drill a hole into the bottom of the sump to drain the oil out.  Obviously make sure you can get to all the sump bolts, and they all actually undo before you do that though  :grin:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 26 May 2006, 23:52
:grin: That could end in tears if the oil catches light

An impact driver won't shift an overtightened bolt.
Out of interest why would the oil catch light??
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: mk316valver on 27 May 2006, 01:08
I spent 2 hours the other day as-well, I ended up drilling a 6mm hole in the outer flange and using a punch and very large and persuasive hammer to loosen.
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 27 May 2006, 13:14
:grin: That could end in tears if the oil catches light

An impact driver won't shift an overtightened bolt.
Out of interest why would the oil catch light??

1.  :huh: what do you mean it wouldn't??? it works on ones that have rusted solid  :tongue:
2. Do you know what a blow torch is  :laugh:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 27 May 2006, 23:18
An impact driver won't get a bolt out that is done up to 30 lb ft+
In answer to your other question, yes i know what a blowtorch is  :laugh:
Now a question for you,
Do you know how easy it is to set light to engine oil?  :evil:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 28 May 2006, 00:27
Can't say I've ever tried to set light to oil but the blow torch I'm thinking of is capable of something like 3200 deg C - would that be hot enough  :smiley:

As for the driver, use a bigger hammer  :wink:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: gtibob on 28 May 2006, 11:21
This is a common problem on the 16v. If you hav'nt messed it up too much an impact socket will still fit because of the 6 sided design, it dos'nt need the points like a normal socket. Never failed to remove one of these with an air gun. Front hub nuts come off like this too and they are usually in excess of 200ft/lbs.
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 31 May 2006, 12:39
 :undecided: Reading that last reply I'm wondering if you think i'm talking about using an air gun  -  I mean one off these bad boys  :smiley:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=101080&ts=75409&id=16735


I couldn't maintain my 25 year old car without one  :grin:

Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: gtibob on 31 May 2006, 12:48
I would'nt chance using a hammer operated impact driver, I think you might risk cracking the sump.  :cry:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 31 May 2006, 12:52
I would'nt chance using a hammer operated impact driver, I think you might risk cracking the sump.  :cry:


If the sump plug is already stuck I think thats a risk worth taking - the other option is a new sump anyway  :laugh:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: gtibob on 31 May 2006, 14:09
Better to just drop the sump than risk breaking it, this has to be an expensive item and a cast alloy sump is probably VAG only :sad:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 31 May 2006, 14:52
 :undecided: sumps are about £20 (I bought one after a "speed-hump" incident) & nobody said anything about cast sumps, but yeah they would cost some.   :nerd: Never hit cast alloy - it'll break for sure

Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: gtibob on 31 May 2006, 15:50
I assume we are talking about an ABF engine here. It should have a cast sump. The plugs are notoriously hard to remove because of the large thread area probably designed to prevent ham fisted numpties stripping them out as they would on the normal sized steel sump plug, good luck!
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 31 May 2006, 16:08
 :embarassed: I don't know much about mk3's as I cant stand them  :grin:

so they've got a cast sump have they  :shocked: oooh I wonder if it'll fit the older engines  :undecided: anyone???
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: rubjonny on 31 May 2006, 16:12
yes it will, as does the MK3 rubber sump gasket!  Though you need to replace the bolts too.  Some seem to have star bit bolts in rather than normal hex ones too, which would make removing/refitting a bit easier in the tight spots  :cool:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 31 May 2006, 16:24
 :cool: I'll have to get me one of those then - don't suppose they're baffled too  :huh:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: rubjonny on 31 May 2006, 16:28
I don't know, but I also forgot to mention you can fit a MK3 diesel windage tray, it basically replaces the sump gasket:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-MOTORSPORT-WINDAGE-TRAY-RARE_W0QQitemZ4643982320

(VW motorsport rare my arse!!!)  Although they ain't cheap and £10 is a bargain ;)
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: mk316valver on 31 May 2006, 19:08
 I don't know much about mk3's as I cant stand them!!

MK1MADJ

Why are you on the MK3 forum then??
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 01 June 2006, 12:10
 :tongue: I only read the title - sump plugs are quite universal  :wink:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 01 June 2006, 19:09
So is engine oil, it doesn't catch fire  :laugh:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Greg on 05 June 2006, 14:14
I had the exact same problem with my mk3 16v a couple of months ago. I pretty much rounded the old nut with my cordless impact wrench. I eventually got it off after removing the plastic sump guard and putting a blowtorch on the nut for a min or two. Then the impact wrench took it off much easier.
But a new sump plug from VW cost £7.31  :angry:
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: Mk1Mad J - 16v on 05 June 2006, 14:24
So is engine oil, it doesn't catch fire  :laugh:

 :rolleyes: yeah thats why castrol include a "fire-fighting measures" section in their safety data sheet - you never seen a car burning at the side of the road then  :huh:

http://www.conocophillips.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6CE617E1-0CFD-44B4-9416-60E3ECE38EC8/0/GTX_15W40.pdf
Title: Re: Removing Sump Plug!
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 06 June 2006, 00:18
So is engine oil, it doesn't catch fire  :laugh:

 :rolleyes: yeah thats why castrol include a "fire-fighting measures" section in their safety data sheet - you never seen a car burning at the side of the road then  :huh:

http://www.conocophillips.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6CE617E1-0CFD-44B4-9416-60E3ECE38EC8/0/GTX_15W40.pdf

Oil is made to withstand very high temperatures, such as on the cylinder bores. So heating up a sump plug isn't going to be a fire hazard  :rolleyes:
Since you seem to be such a knowledgable chappy i expect you already know that  :evil: