Date:         Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:34:32 -0500
Reply-To:     Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: oil drain threads stripped
Comments: To: Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <m1oczfejex.fsf@cs.indiana.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Allan,
since oil is such a critical component of engine life, a permanent and
proper repair is in order.  I use Time-cert threaded inserts for my
repairs and they work very well and eliminate the possibility of this
happening again (you will have to strip out a piece of steel instead of
aluminum).  However the Timesert kit costs over $100 so it is not very
economical for a single repair.  In that case you can buy a heli-coil
kit from Harbor Freight for less than $30.  What you are looking for is
14mm with a 1.5mm thread pitch.  The kit comes with a couple helicoils
and the tools to do the job (you may have to buy a drill bit the proper
size though).  Once you do this repair the right way you will never have
to worry about it again.  Losing your oil drain plug going down the road
is a nightmare scenario.  Don't let it happen to you!

If you need any parts please let me know.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com


Allan Streib wrote:
> Changing the oil tonight in my WBX.  When I first got the van, the plug
> bolt installed had too large a head and I had to grind down a socket to
> fit.  So I ordered the correct plug and crush washer, and was going to
> install it but found that I could barely get it beyond finger tight --
> it just keeps turning.  So, it would seem the threads in the case are
> stripped out.  Would Heli-Coil be a good way to address this, or just
> get one of those expandable rubber plugs instead?
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL
>
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