Stripped Sump plug thread

[dave23572]

I have a stripped sump plug thread.

All the threads have basically fallen out of the sump plug hole.

I'm assuming that to have a helicoil fitted would involve taking my engine/box out and stripping the gearbox down? I guess it can't be done with the engine/box in the car?

Alternatively, I understand Minispares sell a taper thread sump plug that cuts it's own thread and seals by the thread rather than the copper washer. Does any one have any experience of these?

I guess the previous owners of the gearbox before it was supplied to me by "###" had over tightened the sump plug. Or perhaps it was "###" themselves! I can't go back to "###" now about it though as I've had enough disputes with them already. (I'm using "###" to protect the not-so-innocent! Though you may guess who they are).

Dave

Edited by dave23572 on Saturday 12th June 14:48

[MiniMadMike]

Hi Dave,

I had that exact same problem on my old engine and used a tapered sump plug to solve it. Worked a treat for me. Ensure you use some PTFE tape to create a seal. Also make sure you don't overtighten it as you risk cracking the casing if you do.

Hope that helps.

[DanGT]

A number of mini shops do kits so solve this proble. Mini sport, mini spears etc.

[ginettajoe]

Hi, I realise you are a reasonable distance from manchester, but I have a some tools that enlarge the sump plug hole, re-tap it, & then a steel insert screws in, locks in place in the enlarged hole, acting as a steel insert with with a threaded hole which accepts the original sump plug. The repair is in actual fact, better than the original arrangement, because it is almost impossible to strip the thread in the insert.

HTH

Edited by ginettajoe on Saturday 12th June 21:20

[dave23572]

Unfortunately I'm a very long distance from Manchester, which is a shame as that sounds like a good solution.

I have ordered a Minispares taper thread sump plug, hopefully that'll do the trick.

Thanks for all advice.

Dave

[dave23572]

The Minispares tapered sump plug worked a treat!
I used some PTFE tape as well.

[glyndingle]

Hi im interested in the insert idea you have there do you have any more info on this as my sump plug is on its way out and im looking around for the best solution to fix it.

thanks in advance glyn

[molineux1980]

Just take care not to overtighten it!

[dave23572]

The tapered sump plug repair plug is still leaking just slightly, so it's only a short term fix.
I'm having a helicoil fitted to the sump plug tomorrow...

[dave23572]

I've now had a helicoil fitted, and that's stopped the leak.

The engineering shop guy said it should be stronger than the original thread!

[grinty]

i too have a stripped thread on my sump plug of my 2002 vw golf tdi :-(

i took it in for a service and fortunatly they realised before they released it. the engineer they use was closed for christmas - they would have rethreaded it whilst the sump was still in the car. i was away for christmas and am now home and my garage here say the engineers would want to take the sump out to do the work and its cheaper to get a new sump at £240 !!

does anyone know an engineer company that can do this for me. the car is 10 years old and has 207k on it, i need the sump to last say 2 years, i dont want to buy a new one!

thanks for reading,
g