Homemade drain plug?

[Gearhead0101]

Hey yall, I was just wondering if anyone had ever *sucessfully* drilled out and tapped their own oil drain plug in a mower that didnt have one. I have all the tools and hardware to do this, along with a burning, fiery loathe of taking the motor off the deck to drain the oil without making a mess. Can anyone tell me if this would work?

 

[reynoldston]

How do you plan not to get metal shavings into the crankcase? Be OK if to take the engine apart to do so and where you install the plug the metal has some thickness.

 

[mechanic mark]

If your talking about a push or self propelled mower you do not need a drain plug. Shut off fuel supply or mow yard until mower runs out of gas. Turn mower on it's side, carburetor side to ground, remove oil dipstick and drain into container. Most auto parts stores will accept oil for recycling. Reynoldston's post says it all, metal shavings will damage or destroy your engine.

 

[Gearhead0101]

How do you plan not to get metal shavings into the crankcase? Be OK if to take the engine apart to do so and where you install the plug the metal has some thickness.

I was gonna drain it and take the pan off and then shop vac it out before reassembling. How thick are we talking?

 

[Gearhead0101]

If your talking about a push or self propelled mower you do not need a drain plug. Shut off fuel supply or mow yard until mower runs out of gas. Turn mower on it's side, carburetor side to ground, remove oil dipstick and drain into container. Most auto parts stores will accept oil for recycling. Reynoldston's post says it all, metal shavings will damage or destroy your engine.

I know I don't need it, just want it for simplicity, I always end up with oil all over the place if I tip and drain it. It's just stupid to me that the come from the factory without drain plugs now. Just goes to show, old school still kicks *** haha

 

[Mike88se]

I was gonna drain it and take the pan off and then shop vac it out before reassembling. How thick are we talking?

I know I don't need it, just want it for simplicity, I always end up with oil all over the place if I tip and drain it. It's just stupid to me that the come from the factory without drain plugs now. Just goes to show, old school still kicks *** haha

I'm having trouble getting those two posts to match up lol. I don't think you'd get metal shavings inside but like said the wall thickness does seem like it might be a problem. Could probably weld a galvanized fitting if you're a really good welder. Except the wall thickness :frown: I think the general consensus is going to be that this probably isn't a good idea

 

[Gearhead0101]

I'm having trouble getting those two posts to match up lol. I don't think you'd get metal shavings inside but like said the wall thickness does seem like it might be a problem. Could probably weld a galvanized fitting if you're a really good welder. Except the wall thickness :frown: I think the general consensus is going to be that this probably isn't a good idea

Looks that way huh? Lol.

 

[Mike88se]

Looks that way huh? Lol.

:thumbsup:

 

[exotion]

Buy a siphon put tube down dipstick hole siphon into container put new oil in with funnel. No mess, no engineering, and $10 at harbor freight

 

[Gearhead0101]

Buy a siphon put tube down dipstick hole siphon into container put new oil in with funnel. No mess, no engineering, and $10 at harbor freight

Awesome advice. Thanks!