[NBMW30]

Hey yall,

Went to change my oil today on my N26 328i. The oil plug gasket was on there pretty tight and I ended up stripping it some. Anyone have any advice on trying to get this thing out?

Apparently for the N20/N26 motors they use a plastic oil pan and plug that you replace every oil change.

[sspade]

Advice would be to use the correct tool so you do not strip it any further.

Cant remember size off hand but if you're stripping it... go up one size.



RWD = plastic pan

xDrive = metal pan

[alohasurftoad]

bought this 10mm hex bit socket from amazon for $5 shipped(now it's $7.91), PRIOR to changing my oil.

its plastic and 8nm torque is not very much. i just went by feel when i reinstalled it tbh.

[Liandri]

Is this the same style plug used on the zf transmission?

[Billfitz]

If you've got it rounded to the point that an Allen wrench doesn't work you'll need to use a bolt extractor. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Orion4]

The F30 N55 uses the metal plug and washer. Not limited to X-drives.

[Liandri]

So 2 methods I've used on customer vehicles because it seems to be fairly common the 10mm isn't enough

1st you can get a helper to put moderate pressure on the 10mm/ratchet while you take a screwdriver and small hammer and attempt to go on the outside of the plug and turn it. The idea is the combined force from both can turn it enough to loosen up

2nd you can get a torx bit & extension that's slightly larger than the 10mm allen and mildly heat the tip (warm-hot, not red hot or enough to vaporize the plastic), use a small hammer to gently tap the torx bit down into the Allen hole. If you do this correctly the torx will have renewed biting power but still may not be enough without the screwdriver chisel trick helping

Once you get a new plug and washer, lube the shit out of them with clean axle/brake grease and gently snug it down. Like someone else said the appropriate torque isn't much otherwise this problem happens. If this is the same plug as on zf8, the outer lock splines will make things difficult without grease, so make sure to do that

[RMachuca3d]

I've seen a guy use needle nosed pliers to grip the outside of it where the tabs are and twist it open, worth a shot if all else fails.

[Gen13 F36]

Try vise grip.