Over-tightened drain plug = $3200 repair?!

EnVe46 · 08-10-2018, 08:15 AM

Having dealt with this isn't E46, I'm calling BS. Except I stripped the bolt head, not the pan. The likelihood of it already being stripped and not leaking, is very slim. I'd be civil with the dealer and challenge them. Then I'd make a call to BMW NA if all else fails. Best to speak professional, explain it wasn't leaking before and you'd like an explanation. Stripped oil pans will leak 99% of the time.

deansbimmer · 08-10-2018, 08:58 AM

It's entirely possible that the bolt was over-torqued by whoever installed it last. Over-torque will start to pull and break the threads but leave them "intact" enough to hold until disturbed next time (this gives aparticular feedback to the wrench turner at the time as it feels like it's slipping- an awful sensation). Once the next guy removes it and goes to tighten it, full torque can't be achieved before the threads pull all the way out and are "stripped".

Sad truth is that technicians rarely use torque wrenches. Unfortunately in a rushed, volume-driven dealership environment techs routinely omit extra steps in order to flag more hours and keep up with production expectations.

BrewRifle · 08-10-2018, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

The fault is hard to prove unless the oil was always changed at the same shop. If other shops changed the oil, one of them could be at fault. It could have been partially stripped but not leaking for years.

Find an independent shop who will time sert it on the car or if you were going to do rod bearings then pull the pan and time sert or weld it off the car and do rod bearings at the same time since there is significant labor overlap in pulling the pan and doing bearings.

And then the owner is left to pick up the bill since no one wants to take responsibility for their incompetence or hasty job.

pbonsalb · 08-10-2018, 09:25 AM

Yes unfortunately that is the likely result. I might argue briefly with the shop, but I would not pay a lawyer to sue when I would likely lose and end up spending as much on the lawyer as on the repair or replacement work.

monterey · 08-10-2018, 10:01 PM

This is BS. the dealer did it.

vincE92M3 · 08-11-2018, 09:01 AM

I'd have to agree. Sounds shady.

If your car drove in without leaks, then it's likely they stripped it somehow when they touched it.

DeafM5 · 08-14-2018, 09:00 AM

Maybe someone with machining experience can fix it. On my E39 M5, I had this same issue with oil leak coming from drain plug so I elected to remove the oil pan and sent it to a guy in Wyoming or Wisconsin, for his work to repair this. I am sure he drilled the hole much bigger to fit/press in a steel bushing so that it would not strip ever again by over tightening.

See post #22.

https://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...-though-2.html

08-10-2018, 08:15 AM	#23
EnVe46 Major 1038 Rep 1,216 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 LeMansBlue Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl iTrader: (1)	Having dealt with this isn't E46, I'm calling BS. Except I stripped the bolt head, not the pan. The likelihood of it already being stripped and not leaking, is very slim. I'd be civil with the dealer and challenge them. Then I'd make a call to BMW NA if all else fails. Best to speak professional, explain it wasn't leaking before and you'd like an explanation. Stripped oil pans will leak 99% of the time. __________________ 2011.5 E90 M3 LeMans Blue
	Appreciate 1 Whyte Dynamyte29.00 Quote

08-10-2018, 08:58 AM	#24
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	It's entirely possible that the bolt was over-torqued by whoever installed it last. Over-torque will start to pull and break the threads but leave them "intact" enough to hold until disturbed next time (this gives aparticular feedback to the wrench turner at the time as it feels like it's slipping- an awful sensation). Once the next guy removes it and goes to tighten it, full torque can't be achieved before the threads pull all the way out and are "stripped". Sad truth is that technicians rarely use torque wrenches. Unfortunately in a rushed, volume-driven dealership environment techs routinely omit extra steps in order to flag more hours and keep up with production expectations.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2018, 09:25 AM	#26
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5231 Rep 10,614 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Yes unfortunately that is the likely result. I might argue briefly with the shop, but I would not pay a lawyer to sue when I would likely lose and end up spending as much on the lawyer as on the repair or replacement work.
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08-10-2018, 10:01 PM	#27
monterey Major 339 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: United States iTrader: (1)	This is BS. the dealer did it.
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08-11-2018, 09:01 AM	#28
vincE92M3 Major 564 Rep 1,366 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 E92 M3 [0.00]	I'd have to agree. Sounds shady. If your car drove in without leaks, then it's likely they stripped it somehow when they touched it. __________________ ///My OEM+ Silverstone Stripper
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08-14-2018, 09:00 AM	#29
DeafM5 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW M5 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Maybe someone with machining experience can fix it. On my E39 M5, I had this same issue with oil leak coming from drain plug so I elected to remove the oil pan and sent it to a guy in Wyoming or Wisconsin, for his work to repair this. I am sure he drilled the hole much bigger to fit/press in a steel bushing so that it would not strip ever again by over tightening. See post #22. https://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...-though-2.html Last edited by DeafM5; 08-15-2018 at 09:56 AM..
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