rounded off sump plug - removal, how?
 

not on the SV, but on my car....

it's not completely shagged, but getting that way.

i am tempted to have a go at it with a stilson wrench. for more experienced mechanics amongst us (SID SQUID....ARE YOU OUT THERE) is this an ok idea, or am i being thick?

also, if the engine is warm, would that make the removal of sump plug easier or more difficult. i'm scratching my head over badics physics - does a warm engine increase the size of the plug therefore making it tighter, or increase the sump size therefore making it less tight........ #-o my head hurts.

Re: rounded off sump plug - removal, how?
 

Its a funny one. You'd expect it to get tighter. but in fact it makes it easier to remove.

I had to get a bolt out once and couldnt do it. My mate whos an ex rally engineer came around with a spot welder or something. Put it to it for a split second and pop - out it came. The thread expands, thus making it easier for the bolt/nut to be removed.

Magic huh!? :lol:

Weld a nut on to it and take it off with a spanner if the grips don't work

Vice grips, or center punch.

it isnt a mondeo is it? sump plugs are made of chocolate, the ford dealer told me they always replace the sump plug with a new one every oil change.

stilsons if you have the room to get at it :lol:

tis a volvo (yeah, i know...sorry)

is there any advantage to the engine being warm before i work on it - GYKD suggests it is, but anyone else?

It may work, but im not sure if the engine on its own could generate sufficient heat to create the desired effect. The guy who realised my bolt used a spot welder (i think it was) - it created shed loads of heat in like a second. Worth a try though. If it doesnt work.. you've not lost anything.

I have a volvo, but i had it serviced, so dont even know what the sump plug is like. A warm engine will help a lot to be honest yes.