F'd Up - Stripped Transmission Fill Plug

Any solutions? The old plug fits but it is hand tight at most and probably only half the threads have engaged. A few small shavings from the threads may have ended up inside the AT.

I've got a 2015 V6 Automatic. I'm looking for the long-term solution and possible short-term solution to get me on the road tomorrow.

Thanks in advance!

 

Used this for years after a careless drunk at Walshit cross threaded an old van I had. Actually I quite liked it because it just hung there while drainingDrain the damn thing every day, if I wanted to

 

just the plug is bad, or the threads in the pan are an issue? Replace the plug, but hopefully you can chase the threads in the pan?

 

It's the threads in the AT housing that are stripped. The plug itself is fine.

 

That universal plug mentioned would come in handy for short term.
Long term I'd look at a new pan, or cutting/welding a new boss. Might be more work than it's worth vs buying a replacement pan (junkyard or new)

 

I did the same thing. Retapping the pan didn’t work for me. There is very little material there.
New pan is the fix

 

Not going to even ask as I’ve never heard of this.
Go to the boat shop and bring your plug with you and check the sizes of the drain plugs.
A expandable plug is just about your only solution.
Go online also and research expandable plugs if necessary.

 

Any reason you can't Helicoil it?

 

Guessing there might not be enough wall thickness in that bung to do that. Haven't verified.

 

Fair point... I haven't actually looked at that either.

 

OP said FILL plug. It isn’t as easy as you think.
It’s literally up on the TRANSMISSION CASE.
Not the pan.

An over sized plug is probably the best bet.
But that plug is going to need to be big.
Maybe a NPT plug and cut your own threads. And use some thread sealer?
I honestly don’t know, but I feel for you man.

Maybe try your best to find a plug that’s close and retap it?

 

Seems like there is not much material there? Maybe try tapping it the next SAE size up from the metric and getting that bolt. If the new bolt will thread in be sure not to over torque it and use some thread sealant if the threads are a bit loose. As a temp fix you might be able to get away with slathering the old bolt with some Permatex or whatever and let it cure. Might hold for a little while being this is just the fill plug. Just a couple of ideas. The expandable boat plug idea should also work.

 

This is a good idea.

The trans case is Aluminum.
It isn’t as forgiving as the steel differential plugs.
You can’t crank it down too hard, or you’ll end up like the OP.
(I’m sure you know this, but it’s advice for future readers)

 

Good catch on the fill plug, not the pan drain/check-level plug. Since that bolt is not crucial in that it does not hold pressure or ATF, as a permanent solution, I would use a freeze plug rubber/neoprene expansion plug. They are designed to go on an engine block, so its gonna be resistant to heat. Just check every year or so for fit and deterioration. The plugs are under ten bucks. I wouldn't worry too much about the shavings falling in as the ATF filter or the magnets in the pan will catch it. You can do a drain/refill to be on the safe side.

 

OP. is it the case of the trans thats stripped at the fill plug, or the fill plug itself, You can pull the plug and no fluid will come out if its the fill plug.

As far as shavings, not ideal, but they will be big enough that they will be caught by the filter before doing any damage.

 

An expansion plug is probably the best short term solution.
And maybe long term depending on the situation?

 

But be careful. You can't just leave it off or leave a really leaky thing up there because when the truck is running there is fluid up by the fill plug. I found that out when I was doing my flushing and left the fill plug out after I had filled it and then started the engine. I was going to open the drain plug to do the drain step but fluid came gushing out of the fill plug hole.

 

Hey everyone, thanks for the recommendations. A rubber expandable fill plug seems to be the best solution for now. I don't have my truck readily available but does anyone know the size I'd need? I'll check myself later when I can get under my truck.

For clarity, it is the 24 mm fill plug hole that is stripped in the housing. Not the plug itself. I wish.

Sounds like I shouldn't worry about the shavings, the filter will catch them. They are aluminum so the magnet isn't going to catch them.

I plan to hit up some boat stores later to find an appropriate sized plug. I was thinking something like this...

or this...


Just gotta find the right size. If you have any lead's on specific items, please post them.

Update, according to Toyota of Kirkland, the hole size is 18mm for the fill location.

 

Im not sure how much depth you have to play with at that location so watch out for that too.

 

I dont think there is much room past the opening. I think the fill plug is an M18 bolt, or .71 inches.