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MG TD TF 1500 - Sump Drain Bolt

The drain bolt has striped the threads on the oil pan. Anyone repaired this problem before? Tap it larger, helicoil? It's currently lying on my work bench.
THANKS,
Jody
Tallahassee, Fla.
Jody Miller

Jody - Tapping it larger is not really an option as it is already a large 1/2 British Standard Pipe thread. I am told that Helicoil does make sets for British threads, but I have never seen them anywhere. all is not lost though, as there is a wire thread repair kit available under the brand name of Recoil. The Recoil kits are available from British Tools & Fasteners in New York http://www.britishfasteners.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
If he doesn't have that articular size on hand, you can get it from Uni-Thread in England http://www.uni-thread.com/ You can order from either place on line with a credit card and it will take about the same amount of time to get to you. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

While you wait, there's an expandable rubberlike plug sold in most auto stores. I've never used one, but the last time I looked at one, it seemed to be an OK design. Kind of a hollow plug that you insert a pointed tool into to stretch it into place. They'll know what you are talking about at the store.
Tom

Jody Also consider the rubber expansion plugs made to replace core plugs. They expand with a bolt. I've had to use them in my block for years and they hold really well.

Of course the real fix is to remove the sump and have welder fill the threads and retap it.

Let us know how you fix the problem.
Sincerely,
Bob
R. K. (Bob) Jeffers

My machinist welded in a new drain plug - nipple with a removable cap. Very strong and works well.


Cheers,
Jim
Jim Budrow

I was going to suggest you temporarily put some silicon and try to let the bolt stick, but it's a bad idea, because the oil is going to have some pressure in the pan. I think Jim's solution, to weld the bolt and have something drilled within, is what I would do, until the next time I take down the sump.

Denis
Denis L Baggi

I hade the same problem 6 months ago. I was going to use the rubber plug described above but found that all I needed was a new plug. With its fresh threads it grabbed and has worked since despite two oil changes
Russ Oakley

This thread was discussed on 16/08/2007

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