In a message dated 13/10/2004 1:50:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes: NAPA and other FLAPS have oversized drain plugs. Carry yours in and get the next larger size. Many times you can get good aluminum or copper crush washers to go with them.
Stan and all, this does not work very well from my experience. I used to do this and have seen many waterboxer engines that have had this type drain plug. They will always leak. You will never get it to seal perfectly. The reason I have concluded is that when you oversize the drain plug hole the sealing area for the crush gasket has been reduced. In every case where this was occurring I installed a Helicoil or Time-Sert threaded insert with the OEM drain plug and new copper crush gasket. Gasket must be changed every time the oil drain plug is removed. There will be no leaking as long as the sealing surface on the block is not damaged.
Cheers, Frank Condelli Almonte, Ontario, Canada _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005 '87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel Trains Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_ (http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/) & _CCVWC_ (http://www.ccvwc.ca/) Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm) _Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html) or http://frankcondelli.com |
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