handfulz28

EDIT: Wasn't sure my original post was clear, but it's the slotted head that I messed up, not the threads.

Figures it would be the 4th screw (2 vent, 2 drain) that I go to loosen that doesn't want to play along. I should've known since it looked unpainted, that it's been replaced and has already been a problem for somebody else.

Anywho, all tips and suggestions on how to proceed are welcomed.

tomcei

I'm not sure what screw your dealing with. I have had exellent luck removing stripped screws by doing the following. Of course it depends on space and how much meat you have on the screw head. Take a dremel tool and grind a deaper slot to accomidate a larger screw driver, fat stubby or something and posibliy a pair of vice grips on the shaft and bang it pops loose.

tblrklakemo

dremel moto tool.....work wonders for repairing stripped screws etc.

Audiofn

Ya and heat it up a bit to loosen it some.

JJS2007

Impact screwdriver?

turbo2256b

If all else fails I have had good luck with LH drill bits better luck than easy outs.

happy hours

If you have access to the screw head and can get a really sharp center punch at an angle you can also turn a stripped screw with couple sharp blows with hammer.

Ted G

If the screw is still basically there, you should try and cut a new slot with a dremel or a whizzer wheel (wear it smaller on something else first so it won't damage the housing). Then use an impact screwdriver to remove it. Be careful if you use a torch, you can damage the metallurgy of an older case fairly easily by overheating.

handfulz28

This is what I'm dealing with. Doesn't look all that bad, I just didn't have the right screwdriver head. I tried a few wacks with the impact driver, no luck. I'm VERY hesitant to give aluminum any heat...maybe I'll try a plumber's torch instead of oxy/acetylene
I'll obviously need to buy a new drain plug so I'll probably get the new one and hit the hardware store to get the right screwdriver/tip whatever. Then I'll see if I can make the groove deeper on the stuck one.
Thanks!

Audiofn

That aint stripped, go get the correct screwdriver with a nice new tip and put a little bit of heat on it (being carefull of the seals) and out it will come easy as pie. Snap On makes a great short screwdriver with a big head that works perfect for that. I am sure that Craftsman has a copy of it.

Jon