12 replies to this topic

[minifreek1]

Hello folks, have a little problem with my sump plug...

 

At the moment there is no proper A series gearbox sump plug, that was stripped a while ago by a previous owner and then basically 'glued' to the sump... Fair play to them as it never leaked, but when I came to change the oil, the sump plug basically broke off... and didn't unscrew, it just fell off....!!!

 

SO, I took the chance of cleaning out whats left of the thread in the sump with a wire brush, fashioned a tapered plug that I took the chance of hammering gently into the gearbox (thought to myself the things buggered anyway so it wont matter) and then tapped a thread into that to seal with a bolt and a couple of fibre washers that I had to hand... Its never leaked...

 

Now what Im wondering is, will this : http://www.minispare...lassic/DP2.aspx fix the problem, or does it require a gearbox replacement....?

 

I know it sounds a bit of a bodge what I did, but it has worked for a few months, but in the back of my mind Im always thinking that this will just fall out and empty the contents of the gearbox/engine all over the road, which is no good to either my enigne or anyone else that happens upon the oil slick left behind...

[slidehammer]

I would either try the Mini Spares tapered plug or buy a suitable helicoil kit and do the job properly. If you do decide to do either of these put plenty of grease on the cutting threads as this will help keep the swarf on the threads as you withdraw the tap or sump plug and you can then wipe the swarf away safely. Good luck whatever you decide.

[mini13]

Ive heard of the taper plugs cracking the case if forced, I would helicoil it and then its sorted,

 

 

http://www.engineeri...air-p-6946.html

[minifreek1]

Thanks for the answers :)

 

Might order the minispares tapered plug, if that doesn't work I'll get the helicoil kit....

[DomCr250]

You can buy a set of sump plugs and helicoil off ebay really cheaply - that opens up the possibility of making the existing hole bigger then taking a suitable size sump plug and tapping the middle down to a more reasonable size - you then bond in the big insert plug and use the smaller one to drain with.

 

It means that you dont have the same problem again (it's steel on steel) ... I seem to remember a couple of good threads on it and a few pictures on how it works.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...~cAAOSwwvZZVcsQ

 Under £20!

Edited by DomCr250, 27 July 2017 - 09:55 AM.

[vivalamini]

I had my sump plug heli coiled by a so called "professional" leaks like hell. I use a special oil resistant red silicone sealant and seal it on with a doughty washer every time. Right pain!

[minifreek1]

You can buy a set of sump plugs and helicoil off ebay really cheaply - that opens up the possibility of making the existing hole bigger then taking a suitable size sump plug and tapping the middle down to a more reasonable size - you then bond in the big insert plug and use the smaller one to drain with.

 

It means that you dont have the same problem again (it's steel on steel) ... I seem to remember a couple of good threads on it and a few pictures on how it works.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...~cAAOSwwvZZVcsQ

 Under £20!

 

Just ordered this set :)

 

Thanks for the link :)

[Northernpower]

 

You can buy a set of sump plugs and helicoil off ebay really cheaply - that opens up the possibility of making the existing hole bigger then taking a suitable size sump plug and tapping the middle down to a more reasonable size - you then bond in the big insert plug and use the smaller one to drain with.

 

It means that you dont have the same problem again (it's steel on steel) ... I seem to remember a couple of good threads on it and a few pictures on how it works.

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...~cAAOSwwvZZVcsQ

 Under £20!

 

Just ordered this set :)

 

Thanks for the link :)

 

You'll have to put up some pictures of the job as you do it. It'll be interesting to see the results, we all like a good experiment

[minifreek1]

LOL

 

Yeah I'll do me best to ******* it up for everyone so they dont make the same mistakes LOL

[DomCr250]

Only tip is to try and make 100% sure the tap goes in completely straight - otherwise you will get issues with the washers seating correctly.  I think that is also why people put a much bigger insert in and then drill and tap that one as well ...you can bond / glue the big one in and get the smaller insert 100% straight in a vice.

[A-Cell]

Stating the obvious. Over tightening the sump plug is root cause of stripped threads. Once repaired or to avoid using a torque wrench is best.
Also the specified copper washer gets work hardened so a new replacement is advisable. Alternatively annealing the old one works. Just heat it up with a blow torch until it is dark red (plum) coloured and immediately quench it (plunge into cold water).
Doughty washers are best if you want a trouble free re-useable washer. Sometimes called Dowty or bonded seal.bthey are a metal washer with a rubber seal usually Viton seal.

Standard plug torque setting 25 ft lb or 34 Nm, thread 5/8 in UNC
Spanner size 15/16 in AF

Mokespider has a really neat and effective repair / rework process based on an M20 bolt
http://www.theminifo...ad-repair-kit/. Post number 7

[DomCr250]

Stating the obvious. Over tightening the sump plug is root cause of stripped threads. Once repaired or to avoid using a torque wrench is best.
Also the specified copper washer gets work hardened so a new replacement is advisable. Alternatively annealing the old one works. Just heat it up with a blow torch until it is dark red (plum) coloured and immediately quench it (plunge into cold water).
Doughty washers are best if you want a trouble free re-useable washer. Sometimes called Dowty or bonded seal.bthey are a metal washer with a rubber seal usually Viton seal.

Standard plug torque setting 25 ft lb or 34 Nm, thread 5/8 in UNC
Spanner size 15/16 in AF

Mokespider has a really neat and effective repair / rework process based on an M20 bolt
http://www.theminifo...ad-repair-kit/. Post number 7

Thats what I was suggesting to do with the ebay sump plug kit - tap it to 20mm, tap the 20mm plug smaller, then glue / bond the 20mm plug into the gearbox. 

 

Thanks for finding the old thread from Mokespider.

[minifreek1]

Heres what I did to repair the sump plug..

 

Works a ruddy treat too....