MTX fill plug ****

[beaudeen]

Evening all...well the weather is finally warming up, so I thought i'd change the gearbox juice..been in there at least 5 years since the clutch was replaced...for the life of me, I can't break the fill plug loose..3/8 ratchet with a 3" ext. and a 12" pipe for leverage..attacking it from underneath..gave up after an hour or so..slipped a couple of times and rounded it off a touch,,car sat overnight so all was cold...would bringing it up to temp show a better result..?? Any tips would be greatly appreciated..!!!

 

[SHOGUN88]

Yeah I would think that warming it up would help because the metal would expand.

 

[beaudeen]

That's what I was thinking..also hit it with penetrating oil...will give it another shot in the AM

 

[Ishodu]

When you put a long extension on its harder to keep it square when applying torque. Its best to use one as short as you can. Try using a 1/2-3/8" adapter on a 1/2" ratchet. It gives you just enough room and is short enough not to go un square and round out the fitting. Also go to your hard ware store and pick up a 1/2" pipe plug (NPT). It will wont have the same head on it but at least it wont be rounded off.

 

[beaudeen]

Copy that...just what I was thinking..1/2 to 3/8 reducer..regarding the 1/2" pipe plug...is teflon tape advised when reinstalling..??

 

[johndallara]

MTX fill plug issues

another option, besides above, would be to use a propane torch to site-specifically warm up the aluminum right around the plug before you apply torque. This may get it a bit warmer than just starting the engine and letting the car warm up.

JD

 

[JRA2000TL]

I think I used a piece of 1/2" radiator type hose to fill it back up. It fit perfectly (and snugly) in the hole to prevent making a huge mess. I attached a funnel to the top of the hose and poured the new fluid in.

Fortunately my bolt came off easily. The difficult part for me was rigging something up that wouldn't make a mess.

 

[Ishodu]

Copy that...just what I was thinking..1/2 to 3/8 reducer..regarding the 1/2" pipe plug...is teflon tape advised when reinstalling..??

Yes use it, unless you want it to leak