An over-tight oil drain plug = stripped?

I posted a similar message to rec.auto.tech (as opposed to

There just seems to be more traffic here.

This weekend I thought I'd change to oil in my car ('94 Ford
Explorer). I couldn't though because the drain plug was on so tight I couldn't budge it. I took it to a nearby Ford dealership and asked their service dept. if they could loosen the plug for me. The service rep. there told me it couldn't be done because it was a Saturday and all the mechanics were gone; only the oil change guy was there. I told her that was perfect since all I needed was the oil plug loosened, which he'd have to do anyway to change the oil (it took a moment before she grasped that particular concept). She then told me that it could be done, but it would cost $41 to do it. She felt I should just pony up for the entire oil change ($49.95 for a whole tune-up, including oil change. This was on a nearby sign. I think she said the change by itself would be $45). I thanked her and took off instead.

The part that makes this more or less relevant is that, just before I left, the service rep said quite plainly that if the plug was on as tight as I claimed, then it was probably stripped and would have to be replaced once it was removed. Now, I'm relatively new to home car maintenance, so I don't know how valid her claim is. If she's right, then I may as well spend some money on the whole tune-up since I'm going to need that plug removed and replaced anyway. I certainly know
I can't budge it on my own, but I don't want to pay someone just for the privilege of lifting up the car and loosening it. If I have to do that, I may as well get the whole deal.

I'd appreciate some thoughts on this. If there is a chance that I can get that thing off on my own, and if the local Autozone has a replacement bolt (if needed), then that's what I'm going to do. If this is all a lost cause, then I'll just head back to the dealership and get the whole tune-up.

In any case, thanks in advance!

Meke sure the socket is the EXACT size - tight fit over the screw. Using an even slightly oversize socked is asking for the hex sides of the plug to become stripped.

That's what a clueless person would say. Good thing you decided not to pay their outrageous price for an oilchange.

I would not go back to that dealership simply because they have an incompetent person that could end up costing you quite a bit of money in unecessary repairs.

If you find that it is not stripped, go back to the dealership and report her to management..I would also make a complaint with the local factory service rep. Sounds to me she doesn't have a clue .

18" long half inch breaker bar. Quality 6 point socket. Weak hand on the end with the socket pushing firmly upward. Strong hand on the end of the breaker bar pulling counter-clockwise. Slow and steady does the job. Good luck.
Leverage is your friend.
People sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf......George Orwell.

Tell 'em to go screw themselves. This is rip-off city if I ever heard of it.

Yeesh... And the folks in dealerships wonder why people consider them lower than thieves! At least a thief rips you off "honestly" (Yeah, I know... contradiction in terms. I'm sure you get my meaning) instead of pretending he's doing you a favor!

First thing I'd be doing if I were in your shoes:
"Am I trying to turn this thing the right direction?"

Don't laugh... Been there, done that, and felt like an utter *MORON* after spending nearly an hour upside down underneath the car, reaching around the rar axle trying to undo an otherwise inaccessible bolt.
Realized after much cussing, grunting, and otherwise wasted energy that
"Hey... You're coming at the bolt from the other side... Is it even
*KINDA* possible that you're actually trying to crank it the wrong way?"
Tried going the other way, and the bolt broke loose with practically no effort on the very first attempt, and unscrewed just as nice as you please. AUGH!!!!!!!!!!!

Gawd, but was I ever glad that nobody was around to witness that little fiasco... I probably would have had to kill them and find a place to hide the body to cover my shame! If there's a better way to make yourself feel like a total and complete idiot, I haven't found it...

If that doesn't turn out to be the case, it's time to break out a cheater-bar to get it broke loose.

Either way, tell the dealership exactly what you think of their attempt at theft.

It may have been cross threaded. Your local parts store should sell an oversize drain plug kit. Are you sure you're turning the bolt the right way? (I find sometimes it's easy to get disoriented when you're under the car with the wrench in a funny spot trying to loosen a bolt at a bad angle.) You should be able to use some WD40 or penetrating oil on there and it'll come out. You'll know if it's stripped once you try to tighten it back up.

It ain't graceful but a pipe wrench will take out just about any bolt or any stud/bolt that has had the head broken or rounded off(providing there is enough meat to get a grip on and the room to move the wrench).

It's your equipment and you can do what you want. But just as a stranger commenting, I question whether a person without the knowledge, tools, and arm strength should be changing his own oil. It might be better to take it somewhere and watch like a hawk to make sure it's right. Check right after they do it and so on.
Personally, I always have two kinds of extra drain plugs on hand at all times, one standard and one oversize. Even a DIRer should consider this. Be very careful not to round the flats of that plug off as warned in other posts or you will be in huge trouble.