so I think there is bit of a problem. the area around the bolt is warped, and it's in there good. I tried an allen wrench and a crescent wrench but they just strip the bolt. I mean if all else fails I can put a new pan on there. but it's just a single bolt, there has to be some way to get at it.

also I broke the lock on one of my doors, it wont lock but it will unlock, I was wondering if someone knew how to get the door panals off to look at whats going on.

If it is just one bolt and it has started to strip. You first need to get that bolt out as hard as that sounds. I would then use some silicone garket maker between the pan and engine. Use a new bolt and a washer (use the largest washer that will fit). If you could get a pic up, it would give me a better idea of how to fix it.

The door pannel should have clips and maybe a screw or two near the handle. I do not know about miatas. If it has clips, you can get a puller as the parts store cleap.

I'll get that pic up just getting under the car is the problem. cold and wet, fun time. the thing is when you try to turn the wrench the pan is bent in such a way that the force you apply is being sent into the pan and not the bolt. I'll get a pic, a much better way to explain something. you could think of someone putting the bolt on with a torque gun.

i'v taken a few door panels off I was just looking if there was anything I should look out for.

With the door panel PM Chris, he is a miata guy, he knows a lot.

I wish I had a way to look at your car in person but I am in the springs and without a car right now. I wonder what could have caused the pan to get bent like that. If you could wait for a couple of week or so I might be able to come and look.

Is there anyone one that lives close and knows something about cars that could help? Come on guys I know your out there.

Where do you live? If you can get it to my house, I can take a look at it for you. If it's not driveable and you're in the Denver area, I might be able to swing by.

You lost me on the "allen wrench and cresent wrench" part. The only thing I've ever used those 2 tools together is getting the top nut off a strut assmebly.

A pic would definitely be helpful. Does the bolt still have some of it's original shape? How much clearance around the bolt? Enough to get an impact wrench with some extensions on it? I doubt an oil pan bolt in good condition would not come off when an impact wrench is used.

Thanks man.

tech problems need to find the cable to put the pics up one moment

here we go






so after looking under the car what it looks like is the bolt is a little bent. I couldn't get a good pic but you can kind of see it. the base of the bolt aginst the oil pan is a little warped.

Use a pipe wrench if you don't have an impact wrench with a hex socket.

I should be able to get that off.

Let me know.

hope this works last time I tried kicking the wrench to losen it (smart to begin with) did nothing but try to put the car on top of me.

i'll give it a try when it's not 20 out, crazy how a small metal bit can keep you from so much. alright 3rd time be the charm...

let you know how it goes

lol please dont kill yourself.


Just drive out to highlands ranch and let Tom try it lol... oye..

dude do you have a welder ?? weld a broken screwdriver on that bolt since you will not be using it again

hey i'll give it another shot, be a learning experiance I thinking about a 50/50 chance of me getting it out. looks like I might see you soon tom i'll let you know

I have a broken phillips but the kid I know who says he can weld I wouldn't trust... not the sharpest one out there. I could take it down to Mighty roar racing where he works but I'd personaly rather make a new friend

man just get a anggry socket and go to town