OK...So today decide to do a "quick" job that I have been meaning to get to...namely, draining the transmission and putting some fresh fluid in there.

well, hours later, i am defeated.

first of all, threads were stripped on the plug. couldn't even back out the bolt, it just would spin in place!!! so i pulled the pan, figured, well, easy enough. take a look inside after all the gunk drained out and....

...epoxy. yes epoxy (or maybe something else - jb weld??? tub and tile sealer???), all partially eaten away, barely holding the fluid in.

so needless to say, i am pissed now, threads totally shot, car immobile.

ok, so here are the questions:

1. have any of you used a helicoil to fix this?
2. anyone know the thread size and pitch? (i plan on going over to the dealer tomorrow and getting a new drain bolt, hopefully i can figure it out)
3. i read the FAQs on this, but they leave a bit out, any other helpful hints??

Sean