11 replies to this topic

[AlexP]

Since I serviced my mini it has been dripping oil from the sump plug, I fitted a new copper washer (why do these never fit well?) and tightened it as tight as possible with a short socket handle.

Should I just MTFU a bring on the 2 foot breaker bar?

[taffy1967]

If it's leaking oil then you might need to get the hole heli-coiled due to the threads failing. Or you could try a sump plug washer from a Mondeo which has a little rubber seal on the inside which helps to prevent any leaks (Halfords used to stock them, but not any more).

Edited by taffy1967, 11 March 2010 - 10:50 PM.

[AlexP]

looking through the cars history file it has been helicoiled in the past. Can it be done more than once?

[danie garry]

not sure on the helicoil bit but 1 of the rubber washers should solve your problem so long as the threads arnt buggerd

[Dan]

and tightened it as tight as possible with a short socket handle.

Torque wrenches exist for a reason. Hard steel screw, soft alloy housing, large diameter course thread. Not good combined with excessive force. Are you sure the washer is centred and was new? You could anneal it, or use a composite washer as said above. Sounds like the thread may be stretched though to be honest.

Should I just MTFU a bring on the 2 foot breaker bar?

Yes. If you want to break it further.

Helicoils can be re-set but if the new outer thread that the Helicoil sits in has been stretched there's not a lot that can be done. I'd try a composite washer in your position.

[dklawson]

Others have already beat me to the bonded seal suggestion.

However, the bonded seals may not work with a sump that's already HeliCoiled as the HeliCoil diameter MAY be larger than the area where the rubber is on the bonded seal. Still, it's worth a try. In the U.S. these are stocked as generic parts and I buy them to fit 14mm diameter drain plugs. They are a very snug fit on the Mini's 5/8" plug but they will go and will seal on sumps without a HeliCoil. As an alternative, you may find a hydraulic hose fitting store has sealing washers for 3/8" BSPP (G thread) hose fittings. They will be larger than those for 14mm drain plugs and they may work on HeliCoiled sumps.

You could also see if the local parts store has the "ribbed" nylon drain plug washers. These aren't as good as the bonded metal/rubber seals but they cover a larger area and like the bonded seals they will allow you to achieve a seal with less torque than the copper washer.

[AlexP]

Cheers guys,

Are you sure the washer is centred and was new?

It's not centred - very hard to do as the ID is much larger than the sump threads. It was new bought from mini spares.

Is there a way of quickly taking the plug out and changing the washer without replacing all the oil?

[taffy1967]

Cheers guys,

Are you sure the washer is centred and was new?

It's not centred - very hard to do as the ID is much larger than the sump threads. It was new bought from mini spares.

Is there a way of quickly taking the plug out and changing the washer without replacing all the oil?

Yes you have to drain all the oil and then refill it. Or perhaps lifting the car on it's side will help prevent any oil drainage?

[AlexP]

Can I just refill it with the oil that comes out, its only a week / 50 miles old. Or is that a cardinal sin?

[taffy1967]

Can I just refill it with the oil that comes out, its only a week / 50 miles old. Or is that a cardinal sin?

As long as the bowl or whatever you use to drain it is nice and clean, then it'll be fine.

[Guess-Works.com]

Good tip above, lean the car over, put it up on axle stands on the o/s and then you should be able to withdraw the sump plug without dropping the oil... this is how I do diff seals in situe

Sump plug torque 25lbft

[R1minimagic]

I had this happen in the past on a mini i bought, obviously someone had thought it wise to overtighten the sump plug, I tried everything to seal it but nothing worked. In the end i decided to take the box out, stripped all the gears out, redrilled the casing, re-tapped and fitted a new sump plug which i had made myself with a new magnet epoxied in.