golfknut
SW Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2004
View Profile
 Offline
|
I went to change the oil in my Onan 4kw generator today and was stopped before I even got started. I am a bit baffled as to what type of driver I need to remove the two screws that hold the access plate over the drain plug.
I figured the screws would be a phillips head, square driver head, or other common type but from what I can see they look like a star. Is that what these screw heads are, a large star? I have two smaller star tools but they were not big enough for these screws.
Mark
2005 Jayco Granite Ridge 3100SS
|
2hams2alaska
Illinois
Full Member
Joined: 07/04/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I ran into the same issue the first time I did an oil change on my 4KW Onan. I assume you are speaking of the two screws that hold the cover plate on the bottom of the housing. These are Bristol socket head screws. At least that is what is in mine. I had to go to a local fastener house to find a tool to fit the head. In addition to being a Bristol head screw, I believe it is metric as well which makes the tool even more difficult to find. An american made generator (Onan) in the company made housing. Go figure!
Once you get the cover plate off, the actual drain plug has a hex socket but I cannot remember if that is metric or not. I had both an SAE and a metric hex tool set so that wasn't as much of a problem.
For the metric Bristol, I would try an autoparts store where they specialize in foreign car parts or like I did a fastener house (Fastenall if you have one locally.) Good luck.
Mike
|
Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/01/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Are we talking torx here?
http://www.mytoolstore.com/sk/84213.jpg
They are being found in more and more places. I even have them on my bicycles.
95 Chinook Premier
|
Robert Mitch
Atlantic Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2003
View Profile
|
I just changed the oil in mine this afternoon and there are two torx screws on mine. The plug was 9/16" under the small plate. Hope this helps.
Gulfstream BT Cruiser B-5230
Ford E-350
|
golfknut
SW Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks, yes, they are torx screws. A torx-27 size fits perfect....but do you think I can get those two stupid screws loose? No way.....pretty rusty.
|
|
|
rvten
Crossville,TN
Senior Member
Joined: 11/30/2000
View Profile
|
Find an easy out extractor that fits. Remove them and put what you want back for a screw.
(Bristol never herd of that before)
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008
Class C passed Class A owner
(No Such Thing as a B+)Pontiac G6 2006
.jpg)
|
Robert Mitch
Atlantic Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2003
View Profile
|
If you wreck the Torx point on the screw you may be able to get a pair of vicegrips on the head to get it turning. You could spray them with penetrating oil and try the next day. Give the screw a sharp tap (only one tap) up with a hammer on the screwdriver and it may help break it loose. There is a nut welded on the inside that these screws are threaded into. Even if you drilled them out you can get by without this plate. Good luck and don't give up.
|
2hams2alaska
Illinois
Full Member
Joined: 07/04/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
FYI -- Here is what a Bristol tool and socket head screw looks like. This is what is in my unit to hold the drain cover in place.
http://www.bristolwrench.com/
Mike
|
Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 11/01/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
The spline drive? Most interesting.
First I've ever seen that one.
|
golfknut
SW Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Well I borrowed a neighbors torx bit socket set and mangaged to get one bolt loose.
The other bolt wouldn't budge, even after letting it sit overnight after using some penetrating oil.
Tonight I tried a locking vice grip on it and ended up twisting the head right off the bolt. It did solve the problem of gaining access to the drain plug but now I have the body of the bolt left in the nut.
The cover plate does still seem be pretty well fastened with only one bolt though.
|
|
|
