Stripped oil drain plug Jeep Cherokee

[Monza-jockey]

Last time I went to usual quick oil change place, they informed me they were having trouble getting the drain plug out. It did finally come out along with the threads in the oil pan. They stuck a pan saver plug (moly bolts style) in to get me on the road.

 A local mechanic advised me that there's not enough metal left to drill and re tap the threads, and that the fix was OK. I'm guessing that would rule out a heli coil or Timesert repair also. The dealership wanted $600+ to replace the pan and gasket, with a couple days in downtime. I don't think it's worth the cost since the Jeep is a '94 with 245K miles on it.

I'm wondering if there are any other options to fix this? I'm half temped to stick a piggy back plug in the pan with RTV to get it working.

Are there any good solutions? :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

Thanks!

[fotoguzzi]

1994? there must be plenty of those oil pans in junkyards by now.. is it a big a job to change on that vehicle?

[JoeW]

The expandable plugs work great I would just replace it often. not every change but every second or third. There are also "quick drain" kits. I've used these as an alternative Farm sure drain was the one I used. I JB welded the fitting to the pan and I never had to take it out again.

[Monza-jockey]

I appreciate the replies.

As I understand, replacing the oil pan involves removing the exhaust header and moving the sway bar, looks like a PITA, too much to do in my carport. Oil pans of this vintage can be really hard to remove and clean up for gasket replacement.
I did receive a Eco-Plug, it's a magnetic threadless and headless plug: you slide it in like a champagne cork and a heavy duty rare earth magnet holds it in place.
 I was thinking of a quick draining valve, like a Fumoto or something similar. Some of the reviews on the Fumoto say they leak; so JB welding in place may raise another set of problems.

[Kent in Upstate NY]

Sue the oil change place in small claims court.

[swooshdave]

Timesert.

As for sueing, seriously? 

[arveno]

I had a 1999 cherokee , same problem and changed the pan myself in a saturday afternoon.
An aftermarket pan is not that expensive ( 65 bucks )

I did not touch the headers , i took off the starter and unbolt sway bar... honestly not that hard.