Date:         Sat, 8 Sep 2001 20:33:02 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: A fifth spark plug?
Comments: To: chrisadubs <chrisadubs@NETZERO.NET>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

chrisadubs wrote:

> When changing the oil on my 86 Westy, I thought the drain plug seemed
> odd.  It turns out that one of the PO's has broken off the ceramic and
> ground the electrodes off a bosch spark plug and used it as a drain
> plug.  This is a new one to me.  It has been serving its purpose but I
> decided to replace it with a regular drain plug, 14MM x 1.25 threads.
> Turns out the first 3/8 of the threads are stripped and the shorter
> threaded plug will not bite.  Do I leave the 'bonus' plug in?  DO
> those rubber drain plugs meant for stripped threads really hold?  I
> don't want to drain the oil all over I-81 on my fall trip to the
> finger lakes.  Any advise would be appreciated, Chris

Chris, get it fixed right!!! Have a shop install a helicoil insert for
the proper plug. Then always put on a new gasket on the plug every time
you have that plug out. That way you will avoid the problems.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

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