M15 sump plug

[captain Byrne]

Starting to regret getting a M15 sump repair kit. Anyway, I haven't got access to the van at the moment so can't check myself, but does anyone know if you can get a 19mm socket into the oil drain recess to fit/remove a M15 plug with a 19mm hex head?

[Synkraut]

Don't know if I understood exactly what you mean. Had the problem with my 2.1 MV WBX: Picked the car up in Sweden, drove it to Germany and then found out that the guy who sold it to me ("yeah well I just did an oilchange on it") had ruined the thread on the standard M14x1,5 mm sump drain screw. In fact the silicone he squirted around the screw was the only thing holding it in place
So I opted for an M15 repair kit which comes with the thread cutter, a number of M15 screws and washers. It still looses an occasional drop ever so often (I later read that it is really difficult to cut the thread in a way that the washer will seal perfectly). The problem is that the repair kit washer already isn't as wide (same circumfence, larger bore) as the standard one and the overall space is limited on WBX engines due to the cast alloy rim around the oil drain screw (I presume you still are driving a WBX engine as your signature states). So I guess anything larger than an M15 drain screw will leave you with practically no space for a washer to seal on. Maybe you should consult an expert on helicoil inserts.

[Jawin89]

Not sure where you got your repair kit from but I bought the M16 oversize plug from Brickweks and that takes a 17mm socket.

Are you sure it's 19mm that is needed, if so it will be tight as the 17mm is a snug fit.

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/sump-plug- ... rsize.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[itchyfeet]

recess is about 25mm diametertapering down to about 24mm diameter
flat at bottom for washer is about 23.5mm diameter

[captain Byrne]

The repair kit I stupidly bought supplies plugs to fit a 19mm socket. I'm pretty sure that's too big for the recess. I can't for love nor money get a M15 x 1.5 plug with a allen head or anything smaller than 19mm.
I can get allen head plugs that are M15x1.0 and I could tap at that size but I'm not sure it'll will work? I get the feeling that if you tap from M14 to M15 you should really keep the same 1.5 pitch? Dunno really.

[shepster]

Why not use a 'timesert' and return to original thread size?

[weimarbus]

16mm citreon sump plug available from halfrauds this has a square internal drive and will fit recess. As a last resort then there is a kit on fleabay which is 17mm with allen key fitting it includes 6 sump plugs with washers and a tap, the head will just fit into the recess and it does work. previously bodged crankcase means I have had to do the latter.

[captain Byrne]

Gonna just tap a 16mm thread & get the aforementioned Citroen plug from halfrauds. Cheers everyone.