Bad news for me. I just bought an '04 1.8t, and me being the **** retentive bastard that I am, I had to change the oil. When I went to loosen the drain plug, it wouldn't come out...oh no!!!! So with some luck, I got the threads to catch and it came out.

I put the new drain plug in after the oil was drained and guess what, the new drain plug will not tighten fully and my new baby now leaks oil. So I have two options now...a new oil pan or a helicoil kit.

Anyone have any suggestions on either job? I know the helicoil is cheaper, but I've never done one and don't feel like drilling into my oil pan.

How hard is the oil pan to change? I looked online and saw one for $177, so I'm thinking this may be easier to do. Just unbolt and replace. Has anyone removed the sway bar? Pain in the ***?

PLEASE help!!!

 

oil pan is a bitch to get off if IIRC you have to drop the cross member

 

Really? On my 2.8 it didn't look too bad to me. The 2.8 is different though.

 

Re thread with a tap and dye kit.

 

Huh? I'm confused. What is IIRC??? It looked as if I only had to remove the sway bar. Is this not the case?

Any help is appreciated.

 

I happened to have loaned out my car for prom a while ago... CAme back with a huge *** hole in the oil pan... You have to drop the cradel in order to get the bolts out, and then there is a bolt behind the Flywheel...
stu

 

IIRC=If i remember correctly