Can you tap a turbo?

[dboyle23]

I had a bolt stuck in the oil return on my 16g.
The machine shop was able to take it out but he said the it was cross threaded.
He suggested a helicoil. But, can that specific hole be tapped to a slightly larger size? I just want to do the cheapest route, and I am not sure who could do the helicoil around here, he said he could but he doesn't do them often so he's not sure if he could do it right.

 

[pbwu1f]

If he's not confident in his skills then I suggest a different machine shop. Keep in mind that if you enlarge the whole then tap your going to have to make the holes bigger on the gasket and oil drain flange. I would just try to retread the hole and see if that works.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I had mine done retapped and stud was placed instead, worked out perfect.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Try cutting new threads first, if that does not work, I see no reason you would not be able to drill the hole out a bit and retap them. As stated above, remember te enlarge every hole the bolt goes through as well.

 

[dboyle23]

Will rethreading the hole make it a different size?

 

[brownfinger]

Just tap it with a 6.0x1.0 (the original size) tap, making sure to follow the original threads. Then put a stud or bolt in it and see if it holds. That stud idea sounds great. When replacing the drain tube with the engine in the car, it's a total PITA getting those 2 tiny bolts to thread in there, while also keeping the gasket from falling out of place.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I had a stud put in mine.

 

[dboyle23]

That's how I think I cross threaded it. The drain was so hard to put on that when I finally got the bolt in I was so damn happy I really didn't check if it was seated properly.

I like the stud idea, when I get it back I might just get two studs and some threadlocker.

 

[swapped87]

I would try what Brownfinger suggested and take a tap to clean up the threads first, if that doesn't work I would do a helicoil kit. They aren't that hard to do yourself, the only things you have to worry about is going in straight and not to deep. You can buy the kits from almost any auto parts store and they will come with a drill bit, a tap, and a few of the thread inserts.

Here is a link on helicoils
How to Install a Helicoil | eHow.com

 

[dboyle23]

I think I am just going to let a shop tap it for $20. Then I will stud it with threadlocker.