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Author Topic: Helicoil  (Read 2411 times)

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JesterRT

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Helicoil
« on: 11 August 2008, 23:40:59 »

Covered here before, I'm sure, but I'm at the point where I'm thinking of getting the oil sump helicoiled.  
It gets worse every time I change the oil now and I barely get the plug tight now, PTFE tape doesn't do the trick any more and I'm getting oil on the drive and I can tell exactly which space I use at work too so I can't imagine their that impressed with the state of their block paving  :)

Anyway, my question, for anyone that's used them before, is how difficult is it?  I get the idea, that you basically drill out, tap a new thread, wind in the helicoil, but the bit I'm worried about is snapping the tang off.  I presume it'll end up rattling around inside the sump?  Or is there a way to get it to snap off and fall to it's freedom down the hole?
I've heard nightmare stories of the tang being broken off inside the sump and being sucked into the oil pump and starving the engine of oil etc.

Anyway, MOT time in the next couple of weeks - got to fix the horn (damn thing stopped working just before the weekend, and I miss it  ;D)
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Andy B

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #1 on: 11 August 2008, 23:45:20 »

I've found that Helicoils are only OK if it's used for something that'll be screwed in once & then left in, your sump plug will be in and out quite frequently, & a Helicoil will tend to come unscrewed with use. I'd be inclined to find another larger sump plug from A N Other car and tap you sump out to suit it.
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JesterRT

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #2 on: 11 August 2008, 23:48:32 »

I thought about that and considered getting one of these:

http://www.sumpplugs.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=8

So I would only need to screw it in once.  Hopefully.
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Andy B

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #3 on: 11 August 2008, 23:52:11 »

Quote
.....
So I would only need to screw it in once.  Hopefully.

Never actually seen one, but they look OK. As they do different sizes you won't need a Helicoil, just tap out to the next size up from yours.
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TheBoy

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #4 on: 12 August 2008, 06:57:46 »

For tractor, helicoil is best option, as the sump is made from monkey metal - thanks BMW, bloody idiots.

My tractor sump is helicoiled, as no matter how often I retapped, it never lasted.
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TheBoy

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #5 on: 12 August 2008, 06:59:57 »

Quote
I thought about that and considered getting one of these:

http://www.sumpplugs.com/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=8

So I would only need to screw it in once.  Hopefully.
Tried that.  Hangs too low.  Catches on bumpy road at 80mph, game over, towed home after leaving a 6.5l slick over Northamptonshire's rural roads  :-[
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Richard A

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #6 on: 12 August 2008, 09:30:54 »

It is the thread on the 'sump plug' which tends to wear out first, for a few £ try a new one.

regards
richard a
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richard a

TheBoy

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #7 on: 12 August 2008, 09:34:54 »

Quote
It is the thread on the 'sump plug' which tends to wear out first, for a few £ try a new one.

regards
richard a
Oooohhhhh nnnoooooooo!  Not on a tractor!
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sev

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #8 on: 12 August 2008, 13:45:07 »

Helicoils work best when you've got a lot of metal to hold the coil itself.

Retapping really isn't the answer unless you are going to get a bigger sump plug made, as the thread will already be stripped.

If I was going to be forced to use a threaded insert i'd use a tappex or similar as at least if it strips you can easy -out it back out of the fitting, and refit another, or alternatively refit a widebody insert designed to fit in the new hole made by a stripped unit.
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TheBoy

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #9 on: 12 August 2008, 14:08:43 »

With the endless sump stripping my tractor suffered (across 2 engines), I can only say that helicoil was the solution.  And the helicoil held together when when I lost the 'quickdrain' sump plug when I bottomed it out at 80mpg.
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Andy B

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #10 on: 12 August 2008, 14:48:23 »

Quote
..... bottomed it out at 80mpg.

I wish mine did 80 to the gallon!  ::)  ;D  ;D
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TheBoy

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #11 on: 12 August 2008, 14:51:43 »

Quote
Quote
..... bottomed it out at 80mpg.

I wish mine did 80 to the gallon!  ::)  ;D  ;D
Well, it was a tractor ;)
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markey mark

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #12 on: 12 August 2008, 16:10:33 »

a heliciol is stronger than the original thread in my opion espically when going in to alloy ! i have used them many a time !  :y
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Andy B

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #13 on: 12 August 2008, 16:23:54 »

Quote
a heliciol is stronger than the original thread in my opion espically when going in to alloy ! i have used them many a time !  :y

I agree that an insert of some description when threading into soft ally is better than threading directly into it, but, Helicoils do tend to wind back out again. A thread insert likehttp://www.timesert.com/ is far better as the new thread is a solid insert.
I have another link to another similar product at home but as I'm now at work ......  ;)  :y
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Bionic

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Re: Helicoil
« Reply #14 on: 12 August 2008, 16:56:27 »

Over 30 years as a heavy vehicle fitter and I used them regularly once they became common. I have known one to fail if it was installed correctly with the correct tool. To ensure that it remains in place I used to add a drop of Loctite threadtite then lett it cure before use.
Just do it matey, you will have no problem I am sure.
Ray
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