What am I doing wrong? (Oil change)

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kavefish

Active Member
Posts
156
Location
Gloucestershire
Trying to change the oil today on my V8 110 for the first time. Everything is all-set, but for the life of me I can't loosen the sump plug.

The only thing I have that's big enough to fit around the plug is an adjustable spanner, which isn't ideal, but it's pretty sturdy. I've tried WD-40, smacking it with a hammer, and putting all my weight on it, but no joy.

Would really appreciate some wisdom if anyone has some to spare.
 
adjustable are very good at rounding the edges off - get yourself the right sized socket and a long breaker bar
 
Thanks for the good advice. It got to the point where I was pushing so hard I moved the Landy a few inches down the drive instead of turning the bolt, but still no joy. The guys at the auto shop are going to love seeing me (and my wallet) again...
 
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kavefish said:
Thanks for the good advice. It got to the point where I was pushing so hard I moved the Landy a few inches down the drive instead of turning the bolt, but still no joy. The guys at the auto shop are going to love seeing me (and my wallet) again...
Click to expand...

why not just go buy the right tools for the job, least you'll have them for the next time - rather than helping pay for the "auto shop" workers holidays
 
You're right, of course. Oh, and by "auto shop" I meant the vendor where I'll purchase the tools - not a garage where I'll pay someone to do the work for me. It just seems like all I do is buy stuff and I'm itching to start doing the work myself, but I suppose that's normal for someone (like me) just starting out without any tools.
 
I know it's a silly question...but have heard this a few times, are you trying to undo it...and not tightening it up...don't use an adjustable like has been said, or you'll have no chance of getting it undone, even if you have the tools to do it.

good advice what sean says about getting the right tools before doing the job, i have just found this out the hard way, thinking that i would have something to torque the wheel bearing nut up, only to discover i don't have (nor does anyone else i know) a 52mm box spanner, now me Disco is sat up until the stupid thing arrives.

a lesson well learnt on my part, hope you don't make the same mistake
 
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lefty loosy, righty tighty. :D can seem back to front when laying on your back. just a thought. you shouldn't be moving the car! after years of buying tools i think i now have 3 of everything. seriously!! don't worry about buying tools, always a sound investment. steve
 
kavefish said:
Thanks for the good advice. It got to the point where I was pushing so hard I moved the Landy a few inches down the drive instead of turning the bolt, but still no joy. The guys at the auto shop are going to love seeing me (and my wallet) again...
Click to expand...

Instead of pulling against the spanner to pull/push the landy try repositioning your spanner 90 degrees then your pulling the force from left to right of the landy, then your not in any danger having it roll (Handbrake?)

When i come across a stubbern bolt (On the underside) I put both me feet somewhere on the chassis then pull on the spanner, that way your not relying on the friction between ya back and the drive. Plus youl never be pushing the landy!

P.s dont use an adjustable!
 
When i come across a stubbern bolt (On the underside) I put both me feet somewhere on the chassis then pull on the spanner,
P.s dont use an adjustable![/quote]

i usually go the other way around .i use my feet to push the bar /spanner and brace with my hands .lots more strength in your feet .
 
Put your money where your mouth is and buy a decent spanner/socket set with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drives. When ya got that, find the right size socket, stick it on ya 1/2 inch drive and get a short (2 foot) length of scaffold and stick it over the end. Should come off easy then.
 
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defcrazy said:
When i come across a stubbern bolt (On the underside) I put both me feet somewhere on the chassis then pull on the spanner,
P.s dont use an adjustable!
Click to expand...

i usually go the other way around .i use my feet to push the bar /spanner and brace with my hands .lots more strength in your feet .[/quote]

Good point mate (iv got strong enough arms tho ha ha)

Itl stop ya taking the skin of ya knuckles too when it goes (Or slips with the adjustable) if your pushing with ya feet too :)
 
scott02464 said:
i usually go the other way around .i use my feet to push the bar /spanner and brace with my hands .lots more strength in your feet .
Click to expand...

How can ya hold the socket onto the head of the bolt with ya booted feet though? Shirley it would be more likely to slip off and round the bolt?
 
Langers said:
Put your money where your mouth is and buy a decent spanner/socket set with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drives. When ya got that, find the right size socket, stick it on ya 1/2 inch drive and get a short (2 foot) length of scaffold and stick it over the end. Should come off easy then.
Click to expand...

good way of breaking yer new tools - get a breaker bar instead of using a scaff pole
 
Sean said:
you haven't met anything properly tight yet then, or ya weighs 6 stone
Click to expand...

Yeah true I haven't had any really really tight bolts, but to be honest we are only talking about a sump nut here, I would imagine that with the right socket on a standard bar it would come easily.
 
Thanks, I think there's a shop down in Gloucester that's got the suggested tools, which I plan to get tomorrow. I do own a proper socket set (actually two), but they don't include a socket big enough to fit or a wrench long enough for sufficient leverage. I think the breaker bar attached to the right socket will go a long way toward getting the bolt un-stuck.

Incidentally, does anyone know what size socket I'll need? It's V8, which I believe is different from other models. I looked up the part number in the catalog (#603659), but it doesn't have the size. Nor did any of the retailers I know of (namely lrdirect.com). Plan A is to "measure" with the adjustable spanner, take the spanner down to the shop, and eye-ball it to find something similar in their stock. However, I think that's a recipe for getting a socket that's *almost* what I need. Plan B is to take a ruler to the bolt and measure it that way. Now that I write it down, B sounds better. :doh:
 
kavefish said:
Thanks, I think there's a shop down in Gloucester that's got the suggested tools, which I plan to get tomorrow. I do own a proper socket set (actually two), but they don't include a socket big enough to fit or a wrench long enough for sufficient leverage. I think the breaker bar attached to the right socket will go a long way toward getting the bolt un-stuck.

Incidentally, does anyone know what size socket I'll need? It's V8, which I believe is different from other models. I looked up the part number in the catalog (#603659), but it doesn't have the size. Nor did any of the retailers I know of (namely lrdirect.com). Plan A is to "measure" with the adjustable spanner, take the spanner down to the shop, and eye-ball it to find something similar in their stock. However, I think that's a recipe for getting a socket that's *almost* what I need. Plan B is to take a ruler to the bolt and measure it that way. Now that I write it down, B sounds better. :doh:
Click to expand...

Kave fish get yer sen a proper spanner and get in thefooooking gym, get a set of muscles and undo the fooking plug!!
 
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