Sump plug Panic

[Rich Tea]

I've just bought a 1900 watercooled camper and have a long list of jobs to do. First I though I'd change oil, as you never really never know how long it's been in there for. I also thought I'd be able to stop the slow drip with a new copper washer as well.

I've just removed the sump plug but extracted a thead insert with it. I've read the Wiki which suggests that it's not that unusual to oversize the sump and fit a helicoil. or to fit a Renault 1.5 sump plug.

The thread insert has partly run off the end the bolt and if I'm honest it doesn't look like a coil type insert either although the thread nearest the head of the plug appears to have seperated away from the rest of the insert by one thread.

The MOT is booked for Monday and at the moment, it doesn't look like i'm even going to be able to drive the van off the drive.

Help, how do you think I should address this?

Thanks in advance.

[skint-van-man]

would it be possible to remove the thread insert off the sump plug and wind it back into the sump? Stick some thread lock on it and your away?

[Rich Tea]

I did think about that, but because one of the threads has broken away it didn't want to come off the sump plug (I guess thats why it screwed it's way out of the sump in the first place.

I decided to try and get the Renault sump plug before the shops shut, but with it being lunch time on a Saturday the local Renault main dealer Parts dept had closed, Euro Car Parts and GSF couldn't help. Out of desperation I tried my local motor factors who not only identified the part, but had two on the shelf.

The Renault sump plug is spot on and even came with a copper washer. So if someone else has a similar problem here's the details.

MAFCO Part No 551-7140 Renault sump plug with washer M16 x 1.5 x 12 cost £3.95.

[paulweld]

Why the renault sump plug if the threads are damaged ? curious on this one as i have just been servicing a mates Aircooled 2ltr and the sump plug is rounded and very very tight ! so i dropped the gauge filter instead to drain the oil ! but would like to remove sump plug but a bit afraid of stripping threads etc hence why the renault plug ?

[jamesc76]

Not sure about the renault part but Im a mechanic and I havent taken a sump plug out (unless its leaking) for ages I suck the oil out of the engine loads easier!

[lambrettalee]

Not sure about the renault part but Im a mechanic and I havent taken a sump plug out (unless its leaking) for ages I suck the oil out of the engine loads easier!

with what ?

[jamesc76]

Cant remember were from but sell um like it at machine mart!

[jtwhitestar]

i wish i had one of them.
in need of a oil change but t here is a lot sealant on the sump bolt
jt

[kevtherev]

renault plug is M 16 that's why it fits.
Anyone else got an issue... you need to run an M16 tap in to the stripped sump plug hole then go to Renault

[paulweld]

Thanks for that so m16 tap is close to the hole in tapping size then ! what about the swarf from tapping alough with grease on it would catch the swarf ! i myself would drop the sump off to retap but you cant on the Aircooled motors !

[kevtherev]

without the threads it is an M15 hole

I used gravity and a weeping hole..

tap from below there the same on all Flat fours

[paulweld]

Being an m15 hole there is enough meat there to retap without running tapping drill through then i would assume good bit of info for people with the sump plug problem ! i like the idea of sucking it through dipstick ! but does it remove all the old oil ?

[jamesc76]

i like the idea of sucking it through dipstick ! but does it remove all the old oil ?

Might leave a very small amount but nowt to worrie about!