G50 plastic tipped bolt - why ?

[menostig]

Ok, so the breather plate above the driveshaft on the G50 was leaking because one of the bolts wouldn't tighten. I've undone the bolts, the loose one got tighter on the way out, and then surprise - the 20mm of normal metal threaded bolt was tipped with soft black plastic and a rounded end. Why is that ? Others found the same ? This bit of plastic had a thread on it but it had all melted or worn away and gummed up.

[steve_D]

Are you sure the 'plastic' is not a lump of solid gasket goo?

steve

[menostig]

Oh yeah, doh. Still, why two bolts of different lengths on this breather plate ? Mine only tighten if I swap them such that longer bolt is forward. Those that have topped up their box oil - do you remember two different bolt lengths ?

[steve_D]

menostig said:

Oh yeah, doh. Still, why two bolts of different lengths on this breather plate ? Mine only tighten if I swap them such that longer bolt is forward. Those that have topped up their box oil - do you remember two different bolt lengths ?

You may have a longer bolt due to the shorter one having already stripped the thread in the casing. The longer reach has put it into a clean piece of thread.

Steve