PAC Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I just remarked to my friend that it was nice to work on a newer Seven (I'm servicing hers), where all the bolts undo when prompted , when the last sump bolt losened then jammed solid after a quater of a turn I've WD40'd it and it'll turn back and forth, but the force I'm putting on it can only rip out the thread or snap the bolt. So, is there any trick I can try before I just rip it out and put an M8/helicoil in? I'm wondering if it would be simpler to try to drill it out before I rip the bolt head off? (will it drill out OK? i.e.not too hard?) P Edited by - pac on 27 Feb 2011 09:14:26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 try taking the weight off the sump put a bolt in the opposite end to where your working might just be a weight on issue. where abouts is the bolt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 No, the sump is still stuck in place with the gasket, it's not really moved. I think the thread's /picked-up in the Ally. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Very odd. I'd try putting the other bolts back in then undoing the recalcitrant one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweeky Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 PAC do you manage to sort your sump issue out ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 The owner has gone on holiday, so I can't access the car for ten days. A mechanic friend advised that the cap head screws will be too hard to drill out, without buying special bits, and that it is almost certain the thread will be torn out of the block with the bolt. So I'm expecting to have to put an insert in. Someone posted recently about a simpler solution to Helicoils, I'll try to find that. I always find Helicoils a pain to fit. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Is it in an accessible place, so you can try heating the female thread, and then perhaps spraying the bolt thread with a freezer spray ? This stuff is surprisingly good at helping to free stuck bolts (albeit more those corroded in place, rather than thread pickup). Once you get the bolt out, is there enough metal to drill and tap next size up ? edit ... it's annoying when it happens on your own car, but when it isn't yours !! Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 1 Mar 2011 09:24:23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Heat was my idea also, but Mr. Mechanic advised against it due to the proximity of various 'O' rings in the oil system (it's the front N/S bolt by the oil filter) I can't imagine it would remove the Ally from the bolt anyway. I'll take a blowtorch with me next time JIC! Will keep you posted Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 I'd try modest heat. The oil in the sump will save it getting too hot after all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Hot air gun, rather than open flames ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 *thumbup* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 When you do refit the bolts, lashings of CopaSlip or aluminium grease on the threads, to reduce the chance of thread pick up on tightening and subsequent removal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 If these are the front sump bolts, they pass through the web in the engine, so may just need to be cleaned up a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Quoting CageyH: If these are the front sump bolts, they pass through the web in the engine, so may just need to be cleaned up a bit. +1 Or maybe even have the thread removed with a Dremel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 If these are the front sump bolts, they pass through the web in the engine, so may just need to be cleaned up a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Cagey.. as you are so insistant -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If these are the front sump bolts, they pass through the web in the engine, so may just need to be cleaned up a bit Are you saying it may come out OK, but is a lot longer than the other bolts, hence being tight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Blinkin' iPhone. If it is one of the forward sump bolts, they can get clogged with dirt and crud. Sometimes a good clean is sufficient. If not, they are usually long enough to clean the thread up, as long as there is a clean bit. I have never found WD40 any good for loosening up bolts, however plus gas is much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Is it fitted into an open thread ..... so the far end of the bolt is in fresh air (outside the engine) ...... this is likely to contribute ..... as mentioned above ... the tiniest bit of grit will jam it up solid when you try and undo it ! Can you tighten it a little, then try and wash the crud off the exposed end of the thread ? Drip some PlusGas on to the upper end of the thread for a few days before you attempt to undo it again. Once out, you may get away with cleaning up the thread with a tap, and using a new bolt ? Or, if all else fails, maybe you can open up the hole to clear the bolt, and use a longer bolt with a nyloc nut (if there is space in the area above the web) ? Good luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAC Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Good point, I've not tried to get to the other end! Thanks chaps! I'll be back! P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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