Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2018 08:01:11 -0500
Reply-To: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Mysterious Oil Drain Plug Leak
In-Reply-To: <ab86a05c-cbf2-4da8-b725-71d6b0d3fdcb@71.126.148.6>
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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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