Dealer stripped my oil drain plug

[rok2774]

They are telling me that they are going to remove the old drain plug and install a larger one on the oil pan?

Is that an acceptable fix or should I push to have them install a new pan? The dealer is the only one who has changed the oil in my X5 thus far....so they are the ones who stripped the bolt.

Appreciate anyone input or thoughts on this.

[CT335xi]

Although and acceptable fix, I would want a new pan. Also I know they will be careful but usually when they install the larger plug it’s usually tapped for bigger plug which means there metal debris, but I’m sure it will be all removed. Good luck

[turboawd]

I'd push for a new pan.

[alphaod]

New pan, gasket, and bolts.

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by rok2774

They are telling me that they are going to remove the old drain plug and install a larger one on the oil pan?

Is that an acceptable fix or should I push to have them install a new pan? The dealer is the only one who has changed the oil in my X5 thus far....so they are the ones who stripped the bolt.

Appreciate anyone input or thoughts on this.

Usually a helicoil or threadsert is stronger than what was originally in there... while I'd also want a new pan if it was my vehicle, chances are, unless you have had every single oil change done there since day one, they are going to say it was someone else's fault, and just occurred while we did the change. That being said, if all your maintenance was done there since day one, let them know it's not normal for the threads to be destroyed on an oil pan, and it's obviously either negligence from a tech over tightening in a previous visit, or from the current one, and you would like the pan replaced.

Although the ocd makes you want it like new, it's common practice with oil pans and won't cause any problems pending they do it correctly. If you want to worry, research how many ford vehicles had to have these installed in the cylinder heads due to stripped plugs

[Snowbunny72]

My dealership stripped my oil plug, didnt tell me, then I found a puddle of oil in the garage. Took it to get it looked at by a local European mechanic who charged $487 to fix what the dealership did. Now the dealership wants to reimburse me only half of the charge. What would you do?

[P1]

Originally Posted by Snowbunny72

My dealership stripped my oil plug, didnt tell me, then I found a puddle of oil in the garage. Took it to get it looked at by a local European mechanic who charged $487 to fix what the dealership did. Now the dealership wants to reimburse me only half of the charge. What would you do?

What you should have done is taken it back to the dealership in the first place.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by P1

What you should have done is taken it back to the dealership in the first place.

^ That.

You're lucky they are offering half the cost.

[G05_FROZN]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

^ That.

You're lucky they are offering half the cost.

I would have the dealer install new pan since this is a bmw dealer. Also I wouldn't even take my car back to fix it from them since they are so incompetent that they can't even change oil I would not expect much of a repair of the oil pan. Very risky if you are out of warranty as well they can sabotage the repair risking your cars health. If you in warranty you will probably be fine.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by alphaod

New pan, gasket, and bolts.

Agree 100%. The dealer should return the vehicle to the original state.

[maddgopher81]

Originally Posted by rok2774

They are telling me that they are going to remove the old drain plug and install a larger one on the oil pan?

Is that an acceptable fix or should I push to have them install a new pan? The dealer is the only one who has changed the oil in my X5 thus far....so they are the ones who stripped the bolt.

Appreciate anyone input or thoughts on this.

I also had a dealer over tighten the drain plug and when I went to change the oil myself, it cross threaded and wouldn't tighten up when I went to put it back. I bought a tap and new plug and re-tapped the oil pan.

[Tomcat_F15_STL]

IMHO. No need to get stinky over an oil pan plug. If the dealer performs a proper repair, it will be good as new.

[tlow98]

Hell, I’m shocked they were honest. That’s a good shop, in my opinion.

[dyezak]

Oil changes in every BMW require new copper crush rings on the oil drain. Is your dealer going to provide you new crush rings for every oil change?

They should be replacing the pan so you can maintain your car withe proper oil changes including the proper replacement crush rings moving forward.

[suitedcboy]

Timesert repair is stronger than a new pan. No heli-coil, those are for bolts you install and leave forever like head bolts or valve cover bolt threads. They like to walk out if it is a fastener removed regularly. There are some great rubber o ring sealed drain plugs from several sellers and amazon.

[beattiecj]

Originally Posted by suitedcboy

Timesert repair is stronger than a new pan. No heli-coil, those are for bolts you install and leave forever like head bolts or valve cover bolt threads. They like to walk out if it is a fastener removed regularly. There are some great rubber o ring sealed drain plugs from several sellers and amazon.

Agree, get timesert kit and have them insert a steel thread and plug. You can get one on Amazon for $100ish. Will be stronger than the soft aluminum used in the oil pan.

Just use the provided drill bit that prevents any metal particles getting into the pan put the new threads/plug and good to go.

[mikeson]

I had same and BMW dealer told me it is very common on F15 and F16. ANd they even have a larger size bolt.
They rethread and installed a larger size bold on my car. (it was the biggest dealer in west coast dealer. Crevier BMW)
ANd since then I don't have any problem so far.

[Laguna Seca Blue]

Originally Posted by mikeson

I had same and BMW dealer told me it is very common on F15 and F16. ANd they even have a larger size bolt.
They rethread and installed a larger size bold on my car. (it was the biggest dealer in west coast dealer. Crevier BMW)
ANd since then I don't have any problem so far.

You do realize that this photo is giving 90% of us hives, right? lol. You have your drain plug lying on your center armrest dripping oil. Why did you bring it inside your car? haha

Edit: Maybe that’s a shadow?

[SunjaKim]

I've done three oil changes on my wife's 2015 X5 and the two previous times I reused the drain plug broad (12 X 22mm) aluminum crush washer and the last one I used the narrow copper one that comes with the MAHN/BMW oil filter.

What's the preference regarding the two crush washer types and if its the aluminum one where's the best place to buy them?