Help! Any ideas in repairing this?
Discussion
Hi guys.
Lets just say I've been an utter pudding. And that's being reserved!
This is entirely my fault so lets not over discuss how this happened.
I over tightened it. The end!
For those that don't know, its the drain plug on the gearbox.
So, what can I do to sort this? Even if its just a temporary solution. It won't hold gearbox oil as it seeps though.
For now I've left it to drain as much as possible in hope I can perhaps patch it somehow with some sort of magic product!
Any helpful ideas welcome!
Lets just say I've been an utter pudding. And that's being reserved!
This is entirely my fault so lets not over discuss how this happened.
I over tightened it. The end!
For those that don't know, its the drain plug on the gearbox.
So, what can I do to sort this? Even if its just a temporary solution. It won't hold gearbox oil as it seeps though.
For now I've left it to drain as much as possible in hope I can perhaps patch it somehow with some sort of magic product!
Any helpful ideas welcome!
Edited by lincsls2 on Saturday 25th August 13:48
Hi with temporary patches they tend to fail eventually with the expansion and contraction and possibly the crack might get bigger with these temperature changes as well. If you’ve got access to a ramp it may be possible to Ali weld in situ this can be done as there’s are specialist welders that do this worth looking into
plastic padding chemical metal will hold it till you get time to get it welded https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Padding-Chemical-...
Many thanks.
I've had the car hard tilted to one side so the dregs of oil run away from it, then I have cleaned it up, drill brushed it, sanded and then cleaned off with proper paint prep solution.
Then used JB metal weld putty to patch it up which hopefully for now will get me by.
We will see how it holds out, worse case is it doesn't and will slowly drip giving me plenty of notice.
Car isn't my daily thankfully, its a hobby/project/toy thing. Barely turns a wheel!
I've had the car hard tilted to one side so the dregs of oil run away from it, then I have cleaned it up, drill brushed it, sanded and then cleaned off with proper paint prep solution.
Then used JB metal weld putty to patch it up which hopefully for now will get me by.
We will see how it holds out, worse case is it doesn't and will slowly drip giving me plenty of notice.
Car isn't my daily thankfully, its a hobby/project/toy thing. Barely turns a wheel!
Edited by lincsls2 on Saturday 25th August 19:42
No chemical solution will work there unless you also use sealant on that plug...and simply do not tighten the plug.
The force from you tightening that will easily overpower any chemical epoxy type stuff you use on the outside.
Even getting it clean enough to weld properly, really the box/part needs to be removed from the car.
The force from you tightening that will easily overpower any chemical epoxy type stuff you use on the outside.
Even getting it clean enough to weld properly, really the box/part needs to be removed from the car.
SteveMJ said:
As a guess: would a helicoil fitted help in stopping the drain plug from stressing any epoxy type fix. It may make the repair last much longer - maybe enough 'forever'.
Steve
Thanks for the suggestion. Its all back together and holding now. The box was empty and left to drain for ages. I then tilted the car hard over so any dregs would run away from the drain hole and crack. I refitted the plug with Loctite, but not too tight!, then after preparing the area patched it using the magic product. The patch appears to have taken really well and is holding the fluid.Steve
I'm guessing this is the cars first gearbox oil change at 81k/14years. I know many cars go a lifetime without even one change. I don't think it will need another anytime soon. If the patch fails or I need a clutch or the box comes off for any other reason I'll re-evaluate the situation.
Well for people interested, the repair is still solid and holding. Seems extremely well bonded on and very strong.
For my own curiosity, I am testing the stuff on an old can. I've stitch drilled a crack in it much worse than my hairline fracture, patched it with this stuff, let it cure then filled with my old oil.
The bond is very strong, it will not simply fall off. I can't pick it off or scrap it off. I think it would come off with a hammer n chisel maybe, but that is irrelevant.
The can repair is holding the oil perfectly and I've subjected it to lots of heat and also chilled it several times. Still seems bomb proof and make me even more confident with my box patch repair.
I'm well impressed with the product, certainly capable of saving your bacon on a temporary basis, I happen to think it will suffice as a permanent repair unless it needs to be disturbed. We will see!
For my own curiosity, I am testing the stuff on an old can. I've stitch drilled a crack in it much worse than my hairline fracture, patched it with this stuff, let it cure then filled with my old oil.
The bond is very strong, it will not simply fall off. I can't pick it off or scrap it off. I think it would come off with a hammer n chisel maybe, but that is irrelevant.
The can repair is holding the oil perfectly and I've subjected it to lots of heat and also chilled it several times. Still seems bomb proof and make me even more confident with my box patch repair.
I'm well impressed with the product, certainly capable of saving your bacon on a temporary basis, I happen to think it will suffice as a permanent repair unless it needs to be disturbed. We will see!
Edited by lincsls2 on Tuesday 28th August 22:28
jelevents said:
Well that's good news bet you're relieved, I've just got my oils delivered ready for my gearbox and diff oil change hopefully I won't have a similar problem.
Did you not use a torque wrench and just tighten to the F T setting?
Actually I did use a torque wrench and a small one at that, but for some reason it wasn't working properly so I kept on tightening thinking well because its smaller it takes more effort to apply the same torque. The plug was still well proud of the casing too. Anyway lesson learnt the hard way hopefully my punishment is over with.Did you not use a torque wrench and just tighten to the F T setting?
Mishap aside, both diff and gearbox oil replacement is an easy job and quite satisfying too.
lincsls2 said:
Well for people interested, the repair is still solid and holding. Seems extremely well bonded on and very strong.
For my own curiosity, I am testing the stuff on an old can. I've stitch drilled a crack in it much worse than my hairline fracture, patched it with this stuff, let it cure then filled with my old oil.
The bond is very strong, it will not simply fall off. I can't pick it off or scrap it off. I think it would come off with a hammer n chisel maybe, but that is irrelevant.
The can repair is holding the oil perfectly and I've subjected it to lots of heat and also chilled it several times. Still seems bomb proof and make me even more confident with my box patch repair.
I'm well impressed with the product, certainly capable of saving your bacon on a temporary basis, I happen to think it will suffice as a permanent repair unless it needs to be disturbed. We will see!
What was the product you used in the end to seal it?For my own curiosity, I am testing the stuff on an old can. I've stitch drilled a crack in it much worse than my hairline fracture, patched it with this stuff, let it cure then filled with my old oil.
The bond is very strong, it will not simply fall off. I can't pick it off or scrap it off. I think it would come off with a hammer n chisel maybe, but that is irrelevant.
The can repair is holding the oil perfectly and I've subjected it to lots of heat and also chilled it several times. Still seems bomb proof and make me even more confident with my box patch repair.
I'm well impressed with the product, certainly capable of saving your bacon on a temporary basis, I happen to think it will suffice as a permanent repair unless it needs to be disturbed. We will see!
Edited by lincsls2 on Tuesday 28th August 22:28
Ade
THUNDER STORM said:
What was the product you used in the end to seal it?
Ade
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-J-B-Weld-Steelstik-Epoxy-Putty-Stick-Works-On-Multiple-Surfaces-2-oz-57-g/292681648033?epid=2293614530&hash=item44252f87a1:g:PSUAAOSwarpbcsVOAde
Edited by Lincsls1 on Saturday 8th September 09:59
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