Stripped Oil drain plug

I used to take my Jetta into a shop for routine maint/repairs until I got married then my husband started doing everything. Well, he's been too busy lately so I took it back to where I used to go and they said the oil drain plug was stripped (not the bolt) . They tried to fix it by putting an oversized plug or something?? Anyway, they said they tested for leakage, but to let them know if I notice any leaks and if it does I will need to replace the oil pan. There's a huge pile of oil in the garage this morning.

My husband is pissed that I took it anywhere and denies that "he" could have stripped it. Could the shop have damaged it this bad on one visit or is this something that happens over time?

I think your husband got a little aggressive with the ratchet and stretched out the threads. It's not unusual- if tight is good, tighter must be better, right? The trouble is, the drainpan is aluminum, a relatively soft metal in comparison to steel, and it just doesn't tolerate that kind of abuse.

If the shop was unable to repair the threads, then unfortunately, your recourse is a new oil pan. Mad

I agree with SJA, However I am a millwright and question the need for a new pan. I would take the pan off, and take it to a machine shop. Any competent machinist or millwright should be able to repair this easily. I have a pan a neighbor gave me off a 2006. They charged him $500 . I would not have bothered taking it off the car to fix. Yes the threads were stretched, MMMMMM So what. MMMMMMM Its easily accessable. MMMMMM I would simply get an apropriately sized new plug <not from VW> and make new threads. The automotive stores carry a number of sizes. TRY A DIFFERENT SHOP.
New plug $8.00 Labour 1/2 hr Allan

You would be amazed at what the dealer will do to your car!! I brought mine in a while back to get a new plug put on my block heater, wife pulled it off while backing out of a stall by mistake. As I did not have the time, it was winter, and it was in getting it's last service anyway, I figured lets keep it looking stock and get the proper one put on. When I came back to pick it up it had a huge extension cord plug wired onto it from the local hardware store. Evil or Very Mad

Worst part was they charged me 60.00 to do it!!!

After stating that I could have done that myself for 2.00 the guy behind the counter gave me a dirty look and said we can always take it off and refund the money but that is the only plug available. After stating that I could have done that myself for 2.00 and how ridiculous it is that this is their idea of a factory replacement, asked that it be removed. I could not believe my eyes as I watched the mechanic come out with a pair of side cutters and snip the entire existing cord off at the grill making sure there was none left for me to rewire. He then stood up, smiled and said now we can replace the entire block heater!!!! Surprised

You can repair the threads with a Time-Sert. Mr. Green

Kit P/N 1415A this is a M14x1.5 thread repair kit.

http://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html

cheers

D

i actually had this same exact problem with my 2001 jetta..ive been like pissing out oil for a while and when i went to go get it fixed they said whoever i bought the car from they stripped the oil plug..it was 600 dollars to get the pan replaced..so if its leaking bad again..get that checked out immediately..if you just leave it evetually your oil pan will be completely shot and who wants to put in 2 quarts of oil a month because thats hat i had to do.

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mikey

Gentlemen, I am busy warming up. Busy ungoofing someone elses blunders. Neighbor bought it real cheap as a parts car. Could not stop the oil leaks. Started fixing////found the oil pump loose, and the rear main seal cocked. The bolts on the pan were finger tight, and 3 bolts missing on the automatic. Drivers CV nut was linger tight. Pan threads were stripped with a crack. I ground the crack. The local aluminum fabricating welder charged me $25.00 to weld it, and plug weld the hole. Machine shop charged $40.00 to redrill and tap . Way cheaper than the dealers new price. Allan