strange oil drain plug

[wurm]

I took advantage of the nice day yesterday to change the oil in our '01 MPV. I'm trying to start doing my own oil changes and this was the first time I've done this vehicle. As I was underneath looking for the oil drain plug, I had a moment of panic as I didn't see anything that looked like the oil drain plugs I remember in my youth. And I was sure I was looking at the oil pan, so that wasn't the issue.

Anyway, the only thing I saw at the base of the pan was a funky looking thing that I figured had to be it. Before you jump ahead, I know it wasn't a Fumoto valve, as I'm familiar with them. I just tried to find a picture online before posting this (I didn't think to take a pic yesterday) and I can't find one. This thing didn't even require a wrench. I removed it by hand! It was almost like a fancy wingnut, but about the size of one of those old hand joy-buzzers. As I started to remove it...it took a while...of course oil began coming out, so at least I knew I had the right thing. But it never came out totally. It was great because I didn't have to worry about losing the plug in the pan of hot oil, but I was prepared for it, and I kept spinning and spinning, thinking it would eventually come out. Anyway, it didn't. I changed the oil and it was a bit of an adventure re-tightening the thing because I had to get it started at a weird angle. Anyway, it's finger tight, but it's definitely not going anywhere.

So, does anyone have any idea what kind of new-fangled plug this is? I'm not so much concerned about it being there, but rather just curious because I've never seen one.

[Lee3]

Did you buy the vehicle new? Did the previous owner put it on?
I put a drain plug on my car once that was a ball valve. Push down the lever and slide it over and the oil would drain. Made it fast and didn't have to lift the car. Still had to be a contortionist to get to the filter.

[wurm]

We're the original owners. Started out having the dealer do changes in the beginning, then my regular mechanic after warranty was over, and now that my son has it at school, he's been bringing it to the local Monro service center. This is the first time I've been under there.

[space-time]

RTM

most cars have this explained in the owners manual

[Carm]

http://www.cgenterprises.com/drain_plugs.htm
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Found it.
Joe

P.S. Someone probably stripped the threads on the original hole for the drain plug bolt and used this to replace it.
Instructions on how to remove it. http://www.cgenterprises.com/1030.htm

[wurm]

That's the sucker, Carm. Thanks! I did see a lot of complaints on the MPV forum about stripped threads, but no one mentioned that thing. It's nice to know what the inside part looks like. It was weird trying to get it back in there. For a while I didn't think I'd be able to. I'm curious as to what you searched for to find it. I had no luck at all. In any event, thanks again.

[wurm]

Uh-oh...I just read through the instructions. It says DO NOT REUSE, TEMPORARY REPAIR ONLY. It didn't seem like it was going to go anywhere, but I have no idea how many oil changes ago it was put on. Should I be worried? I wonder if there's a cheap, but more permanent fix. I'm not about to buy a new oil pan.

[Racer X]

The shop that serviced it after the shop that screwed it up should have refused to service it, and sent you back to the shop that effed it up for a real repair. I managed a Jiffy Lube for 2 years, and that was our policy.

[Carm]

Racer X, I think the problem is that he doesnt know when it was damaged and replaced with that plug.

Wurm, searched under "wingnut oil drain plug", I had seen one of those about 10 years ago on a friends car.

Joe

[Carm]

Wurm, as long as the gasket isnt cracked, you shouldnt be worried about it.

Possible solutions. Helicoil, time sert, check local autoparts store.
Joe