Sump plug question

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:56 pm

Hello knowledgeable folk.

Does anyone know the dimensions of the square hole in the sump plug and if there is a cheat to undo it.... ie does a 1/4 or 3/8 square drive fit etc etc etc.

I would go and measure it but I don't fancy laying in the snow.

Thanks.... Rich.

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:17 pm

I've just done a bit of Googleing and does 8mm square sound correct????

Post by **Defender110** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:17 pm

No sorry mate it's not that simples, it's inbetween 1/4 and 3/8 so I would guess 5/16"

or yes 8mm

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:21 pm

Here's todays useless piece of information.

The square shaft that goes through most house door handles is a really good fit. The bad news is they're pretty soft and not much use as they twist up if your plug is tight.

Post by **Defender110** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:48 pm

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:01 pm

ken newbold wrote:Here's todays useless piece of information.

The square shaft that goes through most house door handles is a really good fit. The bad news is they're pretty soft and not much use as they twist up if your plug is tight.

That's what I wanted.... Genius

Right... Time to cannibalise my lads bedroom door.

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:12 pm

It depends how often you're going to do this job, I would advise buying the actual 'bit' or fitting whatever it's called to go on the ratchet drive. I bought one made by Hazet a few years ago for €15. Seemed a bit expensive but it's earned its place. I'm sure there's an equivalent piece available in Uk - what do other people use?

Every sump nut I've seen on a BX has been bodged out of shape by various different 'solutions!'

P.S yes, it's 8mm and I think Hazet ( German tool maker) make them for Citroen.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 6:49 pm

Can't remember the brand, but most local motor factors have a range of sump plug keys, they didn't have the one i wanted as a single, so for about £8 i bought a pkt of about 5 instead which did have the one i wanted. I've kept the others, just incase i might need one if i have another car which has a different size.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 7:31 pm

And of course then you got the odd ball BX that happens to have a Hexagonal bolt at a simple socket or molegrip undoes

messerschmitt owner · Post by **messerschmitt owner** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 8:45 pm

I bought two decades ago the proper tool - starting to use it again!

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:49 am

I bought one the other day... 5 quid from Halfords... Sorted

Stinkwheel · Post by **Stinkwheel** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:56 am

As mentioned above Rich, most motor factors (even halfrauds) will stock a draper or sealey tool for these as they were fitted to a lot of pugs and cits for years. Should be about 7 quid, i think mine was about fiver a few years back (actually 23 years back, it may be more money now

)

I would offer to lend you that, but ive no idea where it is at all,

If i remember rightly a ground down 3/8 adaptor was used last time i did it.

Stinkwheel · Post by **Stinkwheel** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:57 am

ignore my maths, thats more like 13 years ago with a miss typing, im not that old yet)

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:01 am

Went to drain the oil out of the scrapper yesterday prior to lifting the shell off the lump, nothing came out. I assumed I must have already drained it at some point. Not so - sump was half full of water, which was frozen, blocking the drain hole!

mds141 · Post by **mds141** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:31 pm

Sump plugs are still available from citroen main stealers.