10 replies to this topic

[samt88]

Hi guys,

 

I just bought my first mini (ahh excited) but something I failed to notice when I bought the car was a slight oil leak seemingly from the sump plug. Now I've had a look I've tried to tighten it up but it just turns suggesting either the plug or the sump has been stripped. Can you suggest anything to remedy this or do I need to get a new sump?

 

Cheers,

Sam

[SilverSaloon]

only just got mine too but from what i read on here you can helicoil them - do a search for it.

 

i was worried about this too as i changed my oil today for the 1st time - luckily it was OK for me.

[bikenutmart]

Hi, Minispares can help, they sell a modified sump plug that cuts a slightly different thread as you tighten it, they are not expensive, just be careful not to overtighten it and use a new sealing washer!! Hope this helps. Martin.

[samt88]

Cheers guys, I think I'll have a look into the helicoil as I don't want to risk cracking my sump with the modified sump plug!

[Ethel]

The Minispares offering has a taper thread that wedges itself as it's tightened, it won't need a washer to seal, but no harm in using one - you might get it to seal before the plug. But whatever you do, don't over tighten it the taper could crack the sump casing. 

[Guess-Works.com]

Helicoil is your best option, but is not easy to do with the engine in the car.

 

If you crank the case it's more than a new sump, it's a replacement gearbox case.

[KernowCooper]

I'm with Guess-works on this one a taper replacement plug in a parallel hole is not good engineering even though it may indeed work, a helicoil is a better repair and a better long term fix, but if you not able to do that then I'd use the repair plug with caution.

[Marco1972]

Had this issue with my lads mini

Brought the replacement from Mini Spares used a bit of plumbers PU tape sorted it out a treat as other folk say don't over tighten it !!

Oh ye it hasn't got the magnet fitted to it either like an original sump plug

Good luck with it

[AustinCooper1967]

Doing an oil change today and was wondering why it was taking so long to extract the sump plug...after closer inspection the plug came out stripping  the threads. I'm assuming the plug was overtightened on the last oil change ?

 

Heres a pic iof the sump plug with one of the threads...the threads were sitting loose in the sump casing surrounding the sump plug apperture.and have been washed out by the oil draining.

 

 

 

All the threads have now gone in the sump....Would the mini spares kit work on this?

 

http://www.minispare...lassic/DP2.aspx

 

Thanks

Edited by AustinCooper1967, 27 June 2013 - 07:29 PM.

[KernowCooper]

Well not used one but its oversized and cuts a thread like a tap and heed the warning on the Minispares site if you decide to try it, otherwise its a helicoil.

[minisilverbullet]

I have used a tapered plug on a stripped alloy sump on an Alfa 147. It worked, but I was never really happy with it. I was always thinking is it tight enough, will one more half turn crack the sump. Something to think about. 

 

I always meant to have it repaired with a helicoil or replacement sump, but in the end being an Alfa it decided to strip its cam belt instead