Dear oleseahorse,

Hope you're well. I second Onkel Udo II's statement, that there's no reason to drain fluid from the pan. When the fluid has to be changed, use the FAQ procedure.

Further, if it should be the case that the pan's threads have stripped, a replacement pan can be had. This is to be avoided: removing the filler tube is very hard, as the hex fitting seems to have been over-torqued.

Rather than wrestle with that hex fitting, if the pan's threads are damaged, you can clean the pan threads and the plug with solvent - to remove any trace of oil - and apply a good quality epoxy cement. Insert the plug, and allow time for the epoxy to cure. Most automotive epoxies are oil/gas resistant.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook