Sump Plug Disaster...

[92Syncro]

Oil change this evening. Dropped oil, nothing unusual except the plug was tight all the way out. Didn't think much of it, but went to refit and it wouldn't tighten. I was so very damn careful, as always, to make sure it was going in straight. Pulled it back out again and this lot came with it:
(that's the old copper washer - I was using a new one going back in)


That makes me very sad indeed cleaning and poking at it confirms now have a very smooth sump plug hole. What is this second washer looking thing that's come out with it? It's a very soft metal. Is it proof of some previous repair? (hoping to be able to blame last guy )

I'm reading a lot about helicoiling it to fix this, but I've not done this before. It doesn't seem too complicated, is this the on-your-back upside-down driveway repair that I'm looking at performing?

It really is true that nothing is as simple as it first seems with these vehicles.

[itchyfeet]

Borrow my helicoil kit if you like? Collect it from basingstoke during the day or i can post it
ghost123uk has just finished with it, one coil left and he sent me the drill also so everything you need

pm me if yoh want it

[92Syncro]

Pm sent! Thanks very much.

[fairwynds]

That's what I love about this forum.....

[92Syncro]

That's what I love about this forum.....

Agree with that!

[ghost123uk]

Paul, unless you have added one, there isn't a spare coil left. The first one (of the two) had to be removed as it was too tight, The thread was then re-reamed a couple of times and the other coil was fitted. You did mention that spare ones are not too hard to find, though I couldn't find the correct ones on Ebay (is it 14mm x 1.5 pitch?). Plenty of kits, but no spare coils

btw, the reason the first attempt was a bit tight is because the drill bit should really be 14.25mm, which is (handily) 9/16", rather than the 14mm I had (and is now in the box). Obviously it worked, but just needed a bit of extra reaming in and out to get it "right".

[itchyfeet]

Paul, unless you have added one, there isn't a spare coil left. The first one (of the two) had to be removed as it was too tight, The thread was then re-reamed a couple of times and the other coil was fitted. You did mention that spare ones are not too hard to find, though I couldn't find the correct ones on Ebay (is it 14mm x 1.5 pitch?). Plenty of kits, but no spare coils

btw, the reason the first attempt was a bit tight is because the drill bit should really be 14.25mm, which is (handily) 9/16", rather than the 14mm I had (and is now in the box). Obviously it worked, but just needed a bit of extra reaming in and out to get it "right".

Err well there were three in the box when i sent it and one in there now
the one left has the tang and looks unused, , i doubt you can get them out in one piece anyway

available on ebay, just orderd some more
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M14-X-1-5-V-C ... 418079298c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ghost123uk]

Err well there were three in the box when i sent it and one in there now. The one left has the tang and looks unused

Ah, that's ok then

available on ebay, just orderd some more
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M14-X-1-5-V-C ... 418079298c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Doh I must have used a daft search string

[92Syncro]

If the 14 was too small then I'll get a 14.25 or 9/16 bit and add that to the kit

[what2do]

Fear not, you're not alone. The first bit of maintenance I did on my van ended up with me encountering the same sump plug symptoms as yourself.

If you need any help with this, just shout. I owe the 'community' a favour or three!!

[itchyfeet]

Don't forget to buy a low range torque wrench too, the threads are probably broken because somebody over tightened it in the past.
25Nm
in the post today should arrive tomorrow