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Author Topic: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug  (Read 4488 times)

November 16, 2010, 02:47:11 pm

doonboggle

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'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« on: November 16, 2010, 02:47:11 pm »
Trying to break loose the filler plug in my 1.6l diesel 5-speed tranny... in order to continue tracking rumbling noise ... to make sure it has enough oil in the tranny. 
Due to not being able to loosen it so far, beginning to doubt that the guru shop fibbed about changing the oil.

Have put notable force both ways with no success so far.
Is it the standard loosening turns ... or otherwise counterclock .... or the opposite???

Don't really know when was last loosened.
Any clues? 
Soaking squirting something on it does not seem feasible since it is vertical.
TIA


doonboggle

1981 Rabbit pickup; 1.6L diesel
2006 Jetta TDI
1971 VW Karman Ghia convertible

Reply #1November 16, 2010, 03:14:15 pm

Syncroincity

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2010, 03:14:15 pm »
It's standard thread, so counter-clockwise, or left, to loosen. Hit it with PB Blaster or some kind of knock-loose fluid, that stuff creeps into the threads, but it's not fast, keep hitting it every 10-15 mins. Are you using the big 17MM allen key? Sears has it, and you can use a pipe as a cheater bar, that REALLY helps a lot. If all else fails, hit it with a torch until it's smoking hot and try again.
If you strip it out (been there :P) or nothing else works you can use a chisel & hammer to try to knock it loose, just keep pointing the chisel counter-clockwise.
JC McCavitt
'86 Syncro GL Camper AAZ
'98 Jetta Wolfie
'04 Passat Variant GLS 4Mo 5MT

Reply #2November 16, 2010, 03:20:35 pm

rallydiesel

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2010, 03:20:35 pm »
Tapping the allen wrench with a big hammer usually gets them loose.
2006 Jetta TDI - gtb1749v, Malone 2, Frank's Titan 2 cam, VR6 clutch....
1991 Jetta TD - sold :(
2001 Golf TDI - Son's
1981 Rabbit - BEW tdi swap project

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Reply #3November 16, 2010, 05:09:41 pm

Dakotakid

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2010, 05:09:41 pm »
Propane torch (at 1000 degrees) vs. acetylene (at 3000 degrees).
Heat the area around the plug and the plug itself and a few taps on the plug with punch or whatever....then turn.
If you do use acetylene.....keep the torch moving!
The mask and the shot(s) are actually an IQ test. If you are wearing or circulating, you just failed the test. I can't feel sorry for you.

Reply #4November 16, 2010, 06:15:20 pm

Vincent Waldon

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2010, 06:15:20 pm »
I had an 020 fill hole once where the corners eventually rounded off.... even with heat/oil/etc and the proper 17mm wrench.

However, the drain plug on the bottom *did* come out... so I drained it and then added exactly 2l of tranny oil thru the speedo cable hole... done.... no need for the fill hole after all.  ;-)
Vince

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
2001 silver TDI Jetta Malone Stage 1.5 , 2001 blue TDI Jetta SBIII 216s Malone Stage 3, 1970 Bay Window bus

Gone but not forgotten: 1969/1971 Beetles, 1969/1974 Westies, 1979 Rabbit, 1986 TD Jetta, 1992 gas Jetta, 1994 TD Jetta

Reply #5November 16, 2010, 06:27:37 pm

doonboggle

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SUCCESS !
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2010, 06:27:37 pm »
Don't have torches so not an option.  Plus, being me, am a skeptic towards that and the oil, which if flamable... so wanted to avoid that if possible.

Wound up just taping it while circleing around the ridge ... off an on for some time ... being careful to not distort the ridge wherein the 17mm tool would not fit.

After off and on for about total of half an hour or so, tried it one last time with the bustr bar ... and ever so slow it finally broke loose.  Did not see any corosion of it ... just over torqued from installation I guess.  Anyway, can now eliminate low fluid for the rumbling ... it was there A-OK.

The 'tool' I used was a 11/16 connector nut from local hardware ... True Value ... and shaved off each of the 6 sides with the dremel.  Fit like a glove once I got it ready. 
1.89 ... sure beats the 16.00 and above ... and a few less ... from the internet, plus shipping.
doonboggle

1981 Rabbit pickup; 1.6L diesel
2006 Jetta TDI
1971 VW Karman Ghia convertible

Reply #6November 19, 2010, 12:39:01 am

2strokesmoke

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2010, 12:39:01 am »
I actually made a tool,for removing the fill/drain plugs.
Quite simple:
I took a nice hardened bolt,with a 17mm socket head and welded a lug nut from an GM car to the threaded end. Can use a 3/4" socket or wrench to turn the tool.
Works every time..even with an impact gun  :-X
You could also make a tool by using a bolt,as I did and double nutting the threaded end..or use a pipe wrench on the threaded end.
(impact gun NOT recommended) LOL
Also made a tool to remove the flywheel inspection plug (timing plug) in the same manner.
Also works great.
Cheers !

Reply #7November 19, 2010, 06:29:52 pm

doonboggle

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2010, 06:29:52 pm »
Yeah ... read about that approach also.
But as above, not having torch tools, the best for me was the 1.89 cent item at True Value ... and then grinding off with dreemel just enough to fit in the plug on one end, and my 17mm socket on the other end.
"Cat's meow' now!



I actually made a tool,for removing the fill/drain plugs.
Quite simple:
I took a nice hardened bolt,with a 17mm socket head and welded a lug nut from an GM car to the threaded end. Can use a 3/4" socket or wrench to turn the tool.
Works every time..even with an impact gun  :-X
You could also make a tool by using a bolt,as I did and double nutting the threaded end..or use a pipe wrench on the threaded end.
(impact gun NOT recommended) LOL
Also made a tool to remove the flywheel inspection plug (timing plug) in the same manner.
Also works great.
Cheers !
doonboggle

1981 Rabbit pickup; 1.6L diesel
2006 Jetta TDI
1971 VW Karman Ghia convertible

Reply #8November 20, 2010, 06:20:07 am

Syncroincity

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2010, 06:20:07 am »
Here's a little post script... a life lesson learned the hard way. Make damn sure you can get the fill port out of the trans BEFORE you drain the oil. ;D
JC McCavitt
'86 Syncro GL Camper AAZ
'98 Jetta Wolfie
'04 Passat Variant GLS 4Mo 5MT

Reply #9November 20, 2010, 07:50:45 am

Patrick

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2010, 07:50:45 am »
I actually made a tool,for removing the fill/drain plugs.
Quite simple:
I took a nice hardened bolt,with a 17mm socket head and welded a lug nut from an GM car to the threaded end. Can use a 3/4" socket or wrench to turn the tool.
Works every time..even with an impact gun  :-X
You could also make a tool by using a bolt,as I did and double nutting the threaded end..or use a pipe wrench on the threaded end.
(impact gun NOT recommended) LOL
Also made a tool to remove the flywheel inspection plug (timing plug) in the same manner.
Also works great.
Cheers !

Wheel bolts are the right size for this trick......... (been there done that before I got the right tool).

Reply #10December 01, 2010, 05:17:14 pm

Smokey Eddy

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2010, 05:17:14 pm »
RadoTD had a 17mm Allan wrench and he cut off about an inch of it and gave it to me. The same can be done with a wheel bolt. OP hasn't posted in a while... did you figure it out?
Ed
Blacked out mk2 AAZ Jetta RIP. You are missed.
White 1999.5 ALH Golf 2dr. Low & wide. Rammed off the road RIP.
Blue 2009 CR140 Jetta CBEA/CJAA. Malone stage 2. EGR/DPF/Exhaust-valve deletes. 2.5" open exhaust. ADP Turbo swap. 1-stage nitrous kit. THROWN ROD

Reply #11December 01, 2010, 06:28:38 pm

doonboggle

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2010, 06:28:38 pm »
Yes ... see above.  Total of 1.89 cents.  And worked better than the bolt process, which I also tried. 
Has much more stability and embeddment ... if that is a word.
TIA



RadoTD had a 17mm Allan wrench and he cut off about an inch of it and gave it to me. The same can be done with a wheel bolt. OP hasn't posted in a while... did you figure it out?
doonboggle

1981 Rabbit pickup; 1.6L diesel
2006 Jetta TDI
1971 VW Karman Ghia convertible

Reply #12December 03, 2010, 01:55:30 pm

R.O.R-2.0

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2010, 01:55:30 pm »
toyota pickup ring&pinion bolts also work nicely as a bit for taking the plugs out of the trans. with a lug nut welded on one end.. open ended lug nut so yo ucan get at it from both sides with the welder. then drop it in some oil as soon as your done welding it. or does that even actually work?
92 Jetta GLI - Black, 1.6D w/ GT2056V turbo..
86 GTI - 4 Door, Med Twilight Gray, Tow Machine..
86 Audi Coupe GT - Tornado Red, All Stock.. WRECKED.
89 Toyota 4Runner - Dark Grey Metallic, LIFTED!

Turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.

Reply #13December 03, 2010, 03:59:25 pm

doonboggle

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2010, 03:59:25 pm »


Don't know.
But why go to all that trouble ... when my item, all of less than 2.00, did not need any welding or whatever ... but a mere 2-3 minutes of easy removel of the 9/16th sides. 
All done in less than 4 minutes ... and much more stability ... IMO.


toyota pickup ring&pinion bolts also work nicely as a bit for taking the plugs out of the trans. with a lug nut welded on one end.. open ended lug nut so yo ucan get at it from both sides with the welder. then drop it in some oil as soon as your done welding it. or does that even actually work?
doonboggle

1981 Rabbit pickup; 1.6L diesel
2006 Jetta TDI
1971 VW Karman Ghia convertible

Reply #14December 03, 2010, 04:43:59 pm

R.O.R-2.0

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Re: 'Frozen' tranny oil filler plug
« Reply #14 on: December 03, 2010, 04:43:59 pm »
because mine was free.. i had the welder, the ring gear bolt, and the open lug nut. mine was completely free to make, and i had to go nowhere to get parts to build it..

thats why i did it the way i did.
92 Jetta GLI - Black, 1.6D w/ GT2056V turbo..
86 GTI - 4 Door, Med Twilight Gray, Tow Machine..
86 Audi Coupe GT - Tornado Red, All Stock.. WRECKED.
89 Toyota 4Runner - Dark Grey Metallic, LIFTED!

Turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.