tv pierce is right, don't mess with the self tappers. Go to Napa and get a drain plug and a tap, there is plenty of metal to make a bigger hole and thread it. I have seen that type of problem where the drain plug does come out and all the oil with it, engines need oil. Enough said. Pauli

For a short-term fix, wrap a band of aluminum foil around the bolt (in the opposite direction as the threads) and tighten the bolt to "good and snug" (that's a technical value that's achieve by tightening until just before you think the threads are gonna give way).

Then when you're ready to fix it right, get an oversized bolt -- not a self tapping one. Self tapping bolts are essentially screws. They're made to "self tap" once -- not a good idea for this application. After you've changed your oil a few times, the "threads" will be gone, and then you'll just have new stripped threads in a bigger hole.

Jeff Pierce
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'93 945 Turbo ( one kickass family car ! ), '92 Mercedes 190E (my daily driver), '53 Willys-Overland Pickup (my snow-plow truck/conversation piece -- sold to a loving home), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow

I would not run around with my oil plug in finger tight. The fact that you had a piece of the thread come off does not necessarily mean that it is stripped.

I would put a wrench on it and tighten it up to where you normally would. If it won't tighten then you know it is stripped. If it does you are good to go.

Good reason to change your own oil from now on.

Randy

it seems that i've seen self tapping over sized drain bolts before.i dont remember where,but i'd start somewhere like napa.
it sure beats oil pan replacement.take your drain plug with you if you find one available so it can be sized up.
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83 242 DL -129k, 92-965-195k, 94-965-207k, 84-242 GLT-Gone, but not forgotten,83-245GLT-1'st brick (the 1'st 3 currently on the road)

See the 700/900 FAQ for ideas.