Fuel Tank Drain Plug

[dirtrack49]

Went to remove the drain plug on my 66 230sl to clean the screen. Used Dr. Benz tool of a 1/2 inch drive 13/16 spark plug socket that fits into the plug just fine. Only problem, will not move. Used 18 inch breaker bar with no go. Rapped it with a hammer, no movement.
Maybe I am being too timid about putting some major force to this plug? It has never been out of the tank since the vehicle was new.
Do I need to worry about stripping out the threads? Anyone have their own special way of getting this thing to break loose?

TIA,
Tom L.

[DaveB]

I think it will come with a little more torque applied. Mine was also very tight but came out undamaged using a 3/4" drive breaker bar. I think they are painted over at the factory, making it harder to break. That would also stop any penetrant getting in. Heating the surrounding metal is obviously unadvisable!

[rb6667]

I used the Dr's trick as well with the inverted spark plug socket.  Knowing that a slow hard pull can sometimes pull threads, I took the easy approach.  I used an impact.  Just a very quick touch on the button did the trick...and no pulled threads.  It appeared that this plug had never been removed before as it had the copper filter screen.

One note of caution: Push up hard on the impact before you "Touch the Trigger"

[ja17]

An 18" breaker bar will make it tough to remove. Go for a 24" or add a pipe on  the handle of your 18". They are normally very tight.

[dirtrack49]

Finally got the damn thing out. Tried an impact with no go. Took a 2 foot heavy pipe extention on my 18 inch 1/2 inch drive breaker bar to break it loose. The only problem after getting it loose, is the fuel flows very wide out of the hole. Make sure you have a very large pan underneath to catch the fuel flow.

Thanks for everyones help.

Tom L.

[rb6667]

WOW!  That thing was in there alright.  Glad you got it out.  I can confirm that fuel goes everywhere with that large opening in the bottom of the tank with the filter removed.  I had a large plastic 55 gal. drum that had been cut in half from top to bottom.  Looked like a livestock watering trough.  Even with that, fuel was difficult to contain.  Sorry, I should have mentioned that before you undertook this project.