Hello, I have a newer rebuilt 2.1l wasserboxer that while doing an oil change about 2 years ago I passed a brain stone and torqued the bolt instead of losening it. Bits of helicoil came out that time and during every oil change since. I was able to gingerly install the plug since and got a good seal, until last week (about 1,000 miles since the last oil change), now it leaks so bad I can not use the car. Yes, painful, but of course I can only blame myself.
Any rate, I've been told that to replace the helicoil with the next size up is the way to go. I'm nervous about doing this because: A) Never installed a heli-coil before B) I'm concerned bout drilling the case by hand and having to keep a hand drill square to the case so I don't get a cock-eyed hole C) Concerned about drilling too deep! D) How do I keep the drill chips from getting into the engine and slowly machining my newish powerplant apart? I'm looking for some real-life experience from those out there who have gone this route. I'd like to know how people solved the issues I listed above and how long the fix worked for them. I'f you've used another solution to this problem, that worked, please let me know about that too. (No, I'm not going to use an old spark plug.) (At this point I think it'd be easier and safer to install a "molly bolt" (perhaps you knlow these as dry wall hangers - the ones with the little spring loaded expanders that deploy after inserting into the hole). I'd then use a heat-resistant synthetic rubber gasket and a washer backer to seal the whole bit.) Thanks in advance Barry |
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