Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:55:26 EST
Reply-To: RAlanen@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil drain problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 22/02/2007 12:09:17 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
I come to the list with a problem and hopefully a solution.
The last few times I have changed the oil, when I remove the oil drain =
plug I get the plug left in a Helicoil. In other words the helicoil or =
time sert unscrews with the drain plug. I managed to get a plastic type =
washer over the helicoil thing and have put that back in. The drain =
plug is so tight in the helicoil that I can't separate the two.
The helicoil with the drain plug and washer can be screwed back in, but =
there are always a few drops of oil on my driveway after a drive.
I'm sure it is just a matter of time before the helicoil will strip the =
thread in the block and that's not a good thing!
What is the best way to proceed to get a permanent solution?
Ed, if it is a Helicoil then it needs to be replaced with a Time-Sert. If
it's a Time-Sert then it needs to be installed correctly so it will not come
out with the drain plug. Looks like you first need to separate the insert
from the drain plug or better yet get a new OEM drain plug as the threads on
yours may be damaged. Install or have installed a Time-Sert properly according
to the directions and you will have no further problems. Helicoils do not
work well in this instance as they do not like to have the plug removed and
replaced as often as is needed with an oil drain plug. Always, always use a new
copper crush gasket after removing the oil drain plug and replacing. The
copper gaskets can only crush and seal once ! The second time you try to
tighten the plug to seal with an old gasket causes undue stress on the threads as
you try to tighten more to stop the oil leaking and then the threads become
damaged.
Cheers,
Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg (Forsale) & Lionel Trains (_Collection
for sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10, 2007
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