Date:         Wed, 20 May 1998 08:07:36 -0700
Reply-To:     "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Oil Drain Threads Stripped
Comments: To: "Vanagon@VANAGON.COM" <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>

Hello,

From the amount of traffic on this list about diesels and square
headlights, I was surprised that no one replied or offered suggestions
about my plight.

I decided to go the heli-coil route.

The kit was difficult to find because of the thread size.  I found _one_ at
the largest hardware store in town at an outrageous price, and a choice of
two expensive brands at a nut and bolt company.  The heli-coil for the job
was $104.  The fakie-coil was $56 but didn't
include the $14 drill.  I went for price.

I flushed the sump with gasoline injected up through the drain hole to
remove the metal threading residue.

In the archives, Dan Moy (on 07/18/97) pointed out that the heli-coil might
present a sealing problem.  So, I replaced the original (copper) gasket
with a soft aluminum one of a larger outside diameter.  I put a quart of
oil in last night and no drips this morning.

The thread size of the plug is 14mm x 1.5.  Heli-coil kits for spark plugs
are < $30, and commonly available.  The spark plug thread is 14mm x 1.25.
 After seeing that the drill left the hole threadless, I am thinking that
the $30 kit and a new drain plug might have been a better (read cheaper)
solution.

Thanks for listening,
Mike  '84 GL


Michael A. Radtke  -  Z74               Voice: 602-862-4897
Bull                                      FAX:         4853
13430 N. Black Canyon Hwy.
Phoenix, AZ  85029                      Email: m.radtke@bull.com