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Hey everyone!
Long time lurker, first time poster here
So back in August while servicing my EP3 before it's first track day, I decided for once to use my torque wrench to tighten down my oil drain plug to spec (33 lb ft) and as I was tightening it down it did seem quite tight but it did click to indicate that it reached that torque. As it did click and I double checked that I'd set it to 33 lb ft, I carried on and refilled it with oil but in the back of my mind was a bit worried that I had possibly over tightened it as it did feel bit tight for a drain plug. The edges the bolt head were ever so slightly rounded but a 6 point socket was still sitting on there snug enough.
Anyway, fast forward to this morning when I came to change the oil again and the sump plug is on TIGHT. I've tried with a 17mm 6 point socket on a 1/2 inch drive but it won't budge, and then with a reasonably sized breaker bar and a decent amount of force. By this point, the head of the sump plug was really starting to round off so I quit while I was ahead and a mechanic mate used a pump to siphon out the old oil.
Question is, as I could still feel a decent amount of resistance as I was tightening it and the torque wrench did eventually click at 33 lb ft, once the bolt does come out is it likely that the threads should be alright and it's just a case of putting in a new sump plug? Or is it likely that the threads are done for and I'll have to look at re-tapping or putting in an over-sized bolt? I was under the impression that if the threads were damaged you'd instantly feel less resistance as you were tightening it up, as in it would feel tight and then suddenly loosen up as the threads give out?
It's not leaking or anything so it can wait until it's next oil change in spring but it's bugging me thinking I've messed up something so stupid! I've done oil changes on all of the cars I've had and always just snugged up the bolt and never had any leaks or problems on the next change, and the one time I decided to get a torque wrench on it I've potentially damaged it!
I know it's gonna be impossible to know until the drain bolt comes out and I can have a look at the threads inside but it's bugging the hell out of me! I have been considering fitting a drop-in sump baffle for next year's track days so if it does need re-tapping I'll do it/have it done when I have to sump off to fit the baffles.
Long time lurker, first time poster here
So back in August while servicing my EP3 before it's first track day, I decided for once to use my torque wrench to tighten down my oil drain plug to spec (33 lb ft) and as I was tightening it down it did seem quite tight but it did click to indicate that it reached that torque. As it did click and I double checked that I'd set it to 33 lb ft, I carried on and refilled it with oil but in the back of my mind was a bit worried that I had possibly over tightened it as it did feel bit tight for a drain plug. The edges the bolt head were ever so slightly rounded but a 6 point socket was still sitting on there snug enough.
Anyway, fast forward to this morning when I came to change the oil again and the sump plug is on TIGHT. I've tried with a 17mm 6 point socket on a 1/2 inch drive but it won't budge, and then with a reasonably sized breaker bar and a decent amount of force. By this point, the head of the sump plug was really starting to round off so I quit while I was ahead and a mechanic mate used a pump to siphon out the old oil.
Question is, as I could still feel a decent amount of resistance as I was tightening it and the torque wrench did eventually click at 33 lb ft, once the bolt does come out is it likely that the threads should be alright and it's just a case of putting in a new sump plug? Or is it likely that the threads are done for and I'll have to look at re-tapping or putting in an over-sized bolt? I was under the impression that if the threads were damaged you'd instantly feel less resistance as you were tightening it up, as in it would feel tight and then suddenly loosen up as the threads give out?
It's not leaking or anything so it can wait until it's next oil change in spring but it's bugging me thinking I've messed up something so stupid! I've done oil changes on all of the cars I've had and always just snugged up the bolt and never had any leaks or problems on the next change, and the one time I decided to get a torque wrench on it I've potentially damaged it!
I know it's gonna be impossible to know until the drain bolt comes out and I can have a look at the threads inside but it's bugging the hell out of me! I have been considering fitting a drop-in sump baffle for next year's track days so if it does need re-tapping I'll do it/have it done when I have to sump off to fit the baffles.
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