1995 Esprit S4 - Oil Drain Plug
Discussion
Does anyone possibly know the correct tool to remove the S4's drain plug? It looks like an 18-19mm Hex key but I have been having trouble locating such a tool (most in the vicinity of that size are standard sizes)...any advice, including ideas on where to find the tool here in the US would be very much appreciated! Thanks!
I presume you mean the engine oil drain plug ?
This is, I think, either 10, 11 or 12mm. You can buy the necessary tool in a set (like a socket set) The tool looks like a stubby allen key style thing about one inch long. It is 10mm wide at one end and the size of the sump plug at the other end. The tool fits in a 10mm socket. So, you have sump plug, plug tool, 10mm socket, short extension bar and ratchet handle in that order, like a kebab.
You should get a new "O" ring with you oil filter. This goes on the sump plug when you replace it in the sump. Be very careful!!!! As usual, the sump is made from incredibly soft alloy ( hard as cheese) and the plug is made from metal as hard as granite !! Easy to see what comes next !!
1. Be extremely careful that you replace the plug correctly
2. Do not overtighten (34 Nm)
This was done to me by a dealer and cost £3,000 ($4,500) (Long story, ask if you must!!)
Expect to pay about £20 ($30) for a good set of these things. My previous car had its sump drain damaged and it was easily fixed using a plug similar to the Esprit. I was given the correct tool by a dealer who was selling these things to different customers. He still had the one I needed and gave it to me for £1 ($1.50)
This is, I think, either 10, 11 or 12mm. You can buy the necessary tool in a set (like a socket set) The tool looks like a stubby allen key style thing about one inch long. It is 10mm wide at one end and the size of the sump plug at the other end. The tool fits in a 10mm socket. So, you have sump plug, plug tool, 10mm socket, short extension bar and ratchet handle in that order, like a kebab.
You should get a new "O" ring with you oil filter. This goes on the sump plug when you replace it in the sump. Be very careful!!!! As usual, the sump is made from incredibly soft alloy ( hard as cheese) and the plug is made from metal as hard as granite !! Easy to see what comes next !!
1. Be extremely careful that you replace the plug correctly
2. Do not overtighten (34 Nm)
This was done to me by a dealer and cost £3,000 ($4,500) (Long story, ask if you must!!)
Expect to pay about £20 ($30) for a good set of these things. My previous car had its sump drain damaged and it was easily fixed using a plug similar to the Esprit. I was given the correct tool by a dealer who was selling these things to different customers. He still had the one I needed and gave it to me for £1 ($1.50)
Edited by toyroom on Thursday 19th October 21:56
The gearbox drain plug is TOTALLY different and requires a special tool which looks like a socket but has four sides to the hole, not six. It looks like a double sided socket but one side is 10mm and the other is 1/4" Using a spanner will risk damage to the plug and will be extremely difficult as the plugs are very awkward to get at. Best bet is to take the boot floor out to do this (good excuse to get a good look at the mechanical bits!)
I bought one of these from the travelling Snap-On dealer for £10 ($15)
I bought one of these from the travelling Snap-On dealer for £10 ($15)
Edited by toyroom on Thursday 19th October 21:53
I think the hole correspond to an m8 nut/bolt. What I did was to take a short m8 bolt and put 3 nuts on it to cover it end to end. I then threw some welds on there to hold it together and its a perfect fit.. just slip a 10mm socket over it and turn. Cost me 30 cents in parts.
Edited by greezmunky on Friday 20th October 20:08
Edited by greezmunky on Friday 20th October 20:09
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