help: broken oil drain plug inside oild pan

["Maestro Graphics Inc." <edmok@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

My friend tried to change oil and over tightedn the drain plug. It is now
broken off and the end (screw part) is left inside oil pan. The head part
is out and the end is not held in the thread. I can stick a long (8") nail
right through the hole. So it is clear that the broken off tip is inside
the oild pan. Someone said that there is a screen on top of the oil pan and
the broken off screw will never get back up to the engine to do any damage.
But someone else said that the crank will pull the metal part up and fry
the engine. Anyone has any clear idea? He is hoping not to have to remove
the oil pan to get that piece of metal out.

Thanks.

Oh, yea, the car is a 1992 325i.

edmok@domain.elided

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