Stripped Drain Plug

[Scooterbob]

Recently I attempted to repair a leak on my FJ1200 oil drain plug.  I had heard that 14mm spark plug washer would seal it really well if the copper one was too warn to do the job.  So......I proceeded to find out that my sump threads are not in the best shape when attempting to torque the drainplug.  Markmartin was nice enough to already send me the drill and tap to up-size the hole, but I was wondering about one other option first.  I came across some "Form-A-Thread" made by Loctite.  http://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Thread-Stripped-Thread-Repair/dp/B000WSEUII  Has anyone ever used it?  Also, would it just be better to helical it?  If so, can someone please tell me all the info needed.  Such as: tap size needed to prep for helical.  What size helical and drainplug to use.  Any info would help at this point.

Again, thanks to Markmartin for lending me the tap to Up-size if I so decide to go with that option.

[racerrad8]

I came across some "Form-A-Thread" made by Loctite.  http://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Thread-Stripped-Thread-Repair/dp/B000WSEUII  Has anyone ever used it?  

Also, would it just be better to helical it?  If so, can someone please tell me all the info needed.  Such as: tap size needed to prep for helical.  What size helical and drainplug to use.  

I have tried to use that product several times in the past with only partial success, I don't thing I would trust it to the drain plug.

I Heli-Coil oil pans all of the time. It is a 14 x 1.5mm kit that I have and it must be drilled with a 9/16" drill bit.

If you are going larger, then you will have to determine how big you are going to go and get the proper tools from there.

Randy - RPM

[Scooterbob]

Thanks Randy.  That's exactly what I needed to know. 

[Scooterbob]

  
[/quote]

I have tried to use that product several times in the past with only partial success, I don't thing I would trust it to the drain plug.

I Heli-Coil oil pans all of the time. It is a 14 x 1.5mm kit that I have and it must be drilled with a 9/16" drill bit.

If you are going larger, then you will have to determine how big you are going to go and get the proper tools from there.

Randy - RPM
[/quote]

Dumb question.  What is going to stop the helicoil from spinning all the way in eventually?

[racerrad8]

Dumb question.  What is going to stop the helicoil from spinning all the way in eventually?

The Heli-Coil has tension on it when it is installed. There is no pressure on the threads until it is torqued and it is pulling downward.

I have never had one move once it was installed.

Randy - RPM

[Scooterbob]

That's good to know.  I have heard that some people put some sort of Loctite on the coil before inserting.  But it sounds like that isn't necessary.  Thanks again.

[Pat Conlon]

FYI folks, LA Mike turned us on to a alternative to Helicoils, a product called Time-Sert. He swears by them (not at them)
http://www.timesert.com/

The trick would be finding the correct insert, just the right length of your oil pan threads, so you don't form a lip with insert inside the oil pan, which would keep you from a complete oil drain.

HTH.

Pura Vida amigos....back to the surf.

[Kopfjaeger]

may want to try a bit of loct*te bearing retainer on the helicoil, or a good thread locker, its not disagreeing with anyone, helicoils work brilliantly if they are put in correct. if its your first go....... better to be safe? if you can get hold of an the pic its worth looking at, an xray of a thread showing stress concentrations, on a normal thread, the stress is pirmarily at the top and at the bottom of the thread and a bit in the middle. because the helicoil is basically a high tension spring, the stress shown is equal pretty much through out the length of the helicoil, forcing it deeper into the threads you have tapped, so yes they shouldnt creep. and sealed for life bearings never need grease 
cheers

[SlowOldGuy]

A Helicoil is an open thread design.  If you put thread locker on it you  will contaminate the threads of the drain bolt thus rendering it useless.

The TimeSert won't work because it is a solid thread insert.  It will not allow all of the old oil to drain. 

DavidR.

[Pat Conlon]

Huh? Wrong answer mi amigo.

They're used all the time for stripped oil pan threads. Again, as I said, just get them the right length.

They work extra bitchen for stripped spark plug threads in a aluminum head...(like a Miata's DAMHIK)

The TimeSert won't work because it is a solid thread insert.  It will not allow all of the old oil to drain.  

[JCainFJ]

  Our local Auto Zone has oversize drain plugs. I used one to repair Dean's first FJ years ago. The drain plug boss that is cast into the oil pan is about (its been a long time) 14mm tall. The boss has a 6mm wide opening in its top facing the rear of the pan. This opening in this boss is so deep a proper length TimeSert is going to be about 4mm long. Thats less then 3 threads engagement to handle the drain plug torque. If you were to use a longer TimeSert you wont be able to drain all the dirty oil. Best to go with a 16mm drain plug and tap the pan correctly. Go to your local BMW dealer and get a few new crush washers, and dont over torque your new plug (6 FTLB is enough). I drilled my drain plug and safety wire it so that it can't get loose.

[Scooterbob]

Sooooooo, final decision is between a helical or oversize plug method. Votes as to the best?

[markmartin]

   Best to go with a 16mm drain plug and tap the pan correctly. Go to your local BMW dealer and get a few new crush washers, and dont over torque your new plug (6 FTLB is enough). I drilled my drain plug and safety wire it so that it can't get loose.

I did this (had to do this) last summer.  Drilled out the pan and installed an oversized 16mm plug.  It has worked fine so far. 

What do you mean by "drilled my drain plug and safety wire it so that it can't get loose."  ?

[Flying Scotsman]

Either will work.I have done thousands of helicoils and hundreds of time serts.A time sert is overkill here all you need is a helicoil.Drilling the hole to size is important to get good threads because of the thin wall in the pan.

[JCainFJ]

 Do the oversize drainplug, or you not be able to drain all the oil out during an oil change. When you remove the oil pan you will see what I mean!