Stripped Oil Pan Bolts. What now?

[Artago]

So I stripped 2 oil pan holes.

Timing belt side, the ones that go into the aluminium.

What should I do? Tap and bigger bolts?

What size tap / bolt should I use? M7 or M8?

Tom

 

[Widget]

i did the same , you'll have to drill and tap for the next size bigger bolt ,, be carefull not to drill to deep ,, think they only go like a half inch but dont quote me that ,, GL
Cant rem the size use a bolt and thread chart to figure size. GL

 

[97eclipseNT]

Depending on how bad it is you might be able to just drill and tap it to one size larger. I believe the oil pan bolts are M6x1.00 so you should be able to use a M7x1.00 (requires a 6mm or a "B" sized drill bit). If you have to go bigger you could use a M8x1.25 bolt (M8x1.25 thread is what most if not all the 8mm bolts on our cars are) and that requires a 6.8mm (2.67in) bit.

 

[AWD92TalonTSi]

Go to a good hardware store and buy a shaft collar. This is a ring of steel w/ a set screw so you can control depth much better.

And replace the bolts with studs and buy an in-lb torque wrench. You'll be hard pressed to goof one up again.

 

[Artago]

So drill it out with a M6 bit and tap it with a M7x1.00 tap?

Thanks all.

Go to a good hardware store and buy a shaft collar. This is a ring of steel w/ a set screw so you can control depth much better.

And replace the bolts with studs and buy an in-lb torque wrench. You'll be hard pressed to goof one up again.

I like the idea of using a shaft collar. (EDIT: By Shaft Collar you mean a thread insert?) That way the new bolt will screw into something better than aluminium.

Why do you suggest I use a stud?

Tom

 

[knochgoon24]

You could also drill it out with the proper bit for and tap it for an M6x1.0 helicoil. Then you won't have one odd size bolt.

 

[Artago]

You could also drill it out with the proper bit for and tap it for an M6x1.0 helicoil. Then you won't have one odd size bolt.

Also a good idea, although I've never used Heli Coils before.

 

[EclipticalGS]

Its fairly simple, going up through those front case bolt holes you take a chance on drilling through your timing belt so be very careful.

 

[romeen]

This isn't considered the "right way" but you could also use a 1/4 x 20 bolt and just thread it in there. It's just a bit bigger than the M6 x 1.00 and unless it's stripped real bad you won't have to do any drilling or tapping.

But the best way would definitely be the helicoil like Wes suggested.

If it's the two bolts under the crank sprocket/oil pump sprocket area then make sure you use the proper length bolts (which are shorter than the rest) otherwise the bolt tips will rub on the timing belt.


Edit:

Its fairly simple, going up through those front case bolt holes you take a chance on drilling through your timing belt so be very careful.

This is a very good point. You might even consider doing it with the lower timing cover removed so you can see just how deep you are going. Kind of a lot of work for a couple stripped bolt holes but better than f'ing up your t-belt.

 

[rlacasse1]

When he said shaft collar or whatever he is talking about a little ring that you can put on a drill bit so you wont drill to deep.

Use the helicoil. they are easy to use and you will be bolting into steel threads that way instead of aluminum.

 

[Artago]

When he said shaft collar or whatever he is talking about a little ring that you can put on a drill bit so you wont drill to deep.

I get it now.

Use the helicoil. they are easy to use and you will be bolting into steel threads that way instead of aluminum.

Yeah the aluminium strips easily. I barely used 4 lbs of torque and it just chewed it apart.

Heli coils it is, I just have to find a local retailer that sells them now.

Thanks everyone for the input. I'll post pics of the repair once it's done.

Tom

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Tighten by hand or by in./lbs wrench.
Dude, when are you not have a cataclysmic event with your car?

 

[Artago]

Tighten by hand or by in./lbs wrench.
Dude, when are you not have a cataclysmic event with your car?

Yeah no kidding.

I used a torque wrench to do the other bolts at 120 in/lbs. The spec in the book is 132-192 I think. All the bolts in the steel were fine but as soon as a tried to tighten the ones in the aluminium they stripped. If I had to guess I'd say I only applied 60-80 in/lbs on the ones that stripped.

Tom

 

[Artago]

Hi all, I picked up a Helicoil kit, M6x1.00

However, it seems a bit big. Can someone verify that the oil pan bolts are M6x1?

Thanks. Tom.

 

[jmatyas]

Just to throw in my $.02 i picked up a set of Craftsman damaged bolt off kit after finding a ton of stripped bolts on my car, and it took off every single one no problem. I'm not 100% sure it will help you in this situation because of the torque used in putting it on but hey for $15 its worth a shot.

Here is the link http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952060000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=

 

[BLINKY619]

i did this..... since the bolts wouldn't screw in... i bout the same size bolt but with the threads more separated and that fixed the problem...!!!! they had enough thread to make its own tap.... it work perfect... i had to replace 7 of them and no oil leaks to this day...!!!

 

[Artago]

Just to throw in my $.02 i picked up a set of Craftsman damaged bolt off kit after finding a ton of stripped bolts on my car, and it took off every single one no problem. I'm not 100% sure it will help you in this situation because of the torque used in putting it on but hey for $15 its worth a shot.

Here is the link http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00952060000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=

I got the bolts out and pan off. It's the bolt holes that are stripped.

 

[jmatyas]

Sorry man. My bad haha. Always trying to help in some way

 

[Artago]

Sorry man. My bad haha. Always trying to help in some way

No need to apologize. Help is always appreciated.

 

[turbosax2]

Hi all, I picked up a Helicoil kit, M6x1.00

However, it seems a bit big. Can someone verify that the oil pan bolts are M6x1?

Thanks. Tom.

Yes, M6x1.0.

 

[Artago]

Yes, M6x1.0.

Thank you.

 

[romeen]

Hi all, I picked up a Helicoil kit, M6x1.00

However, it seems a bit big. Can someone verify that the oil pan bolts are M6x1?

Thanks. Tom.

Keep in mind that the insert will "squeeze" inward a bit when it is threaded into position making it fit nice and tight when the bolt goes in.

 

[hereitcomes]

The bolts are M6x1.00, but what about the two short ones on the timing side?

EDIT: or are we talking about the little bolts : ( god I'm dumb.

 

[Artago]

The bolts are M6x1.00, but what about the two short ones on the timing side?

EDIT: or are we talking about the little bolts : ( god I'm dumb.

yes the short bolts, but i stripped the aluminium holes on the side of the block engine

 

[Killian]

i have the same problem where did you find a helicoil?