Mike, use a Helicoil Time-Set instead of an ordinary Helicoil. The Time-Sert is a solid insert and will give better results if installed correctly. The surface for the OEM drain plug will be restored with the Time-Sert thereby allowing the use of the OEM drain plug and a copper crush gasket. Frank > On Apr 13, 2018, at 11:00 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote: > > Hello, > > Some history first. I owned my '84 since new. About 20 years ago, the > oil drain plug threads in the case stripped. I inserted a Heli-Coil. > From that point on, I cut a new cardboard drain plug gasket to use for > each oil change. One reason that I switched to cardboard was so I > didn't have to tighten the plug very tight. I never had a leak, until > now. > > Starting with the last oil change there was a small leak. As time went > on it got worse, but I thought that it would fix with the next > cardboard gasket. It didn't. > > Because the shoulder on the OEM drain plug is small, I changed to an > aftermarket drain plug with a wider shoulder. It came with a nylon > gasket which I then used. It still leaked. > > Today, I tried a cardboard gasket with the new plug. It still leaked. > > So, I took some photos. They can be found at: > > http://5by9.net/busleak <http://5by9.net/busleak> > > In photo a13.png, starting from the center, the Heli-Coil can be seen. > Around that there appears to be an insert in the case, perhaps steel. > Then, the case material can be see around the insert, as well as flaking > plating of some sort. > > What concerns me is the artifact at about 11:00 o'clock. Both the > insert and the case seem to be breached at this point. Also, please > notice the bubble in the plating above and to the left of the breach. > > Photo a14.png is from a different angle and perhaps shows the artifact > a little better. > > Could oil be leaking through this breach, under the plating, and then > out? If not, what else could the leak be? It's getting worse and will > have to be dealt with. > > Most importantly, what is the fix? > > Thanks, > Mike |
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