Sump plug disaster!

[3rensho]

I've got no way of easily getting under my Berli so I suck the oil out with an electric pump via a tube inserted in the dipstick hole. Works fine.

[corkgsxr]

I've got no way of easily getting under my Berli so I suck the oil out with an electric pump via a tube inserted in the dipstick hole. Works fine.

wont they leave the worst of the s**t at the bottom of the sump there?


its quicker but i dont think its better.

lad in work has a new beemer, first service was free.

they turn up at your work and suck the oil out. problem was after he filled back up it wouldnt start. back to the main shop they still couldnt get it to go. 2 weeks later they couldnt figure out what was wrong so gave him a new beemer.

[tucker]

Pitman

Are you talking about something that is a permanent seal or one that can be re-acccessed?

Are you meaning some sort of thread locking compund?

[videoatari]

I use this four times out of five.

Simply, easy and clean.

Fluid Extractor

[Guanajuato]

Regular occurence with Jag XJ40/X300 (older XJ6s) - the sump is aluminium, whilst the plug is steel, so any excess torque or cross-threading and the sump thread strip. And with corroded steel & Aluminium, cross-threading would be very easy. It's also a good 3/4 inch diameter, so it LOOKS like it should cope with loads of torque. Also, the galvanic action could easily lead to the bolt seizing in the sump, and strip threads taking it out. Great design!

The standard fix was tap & die and/or Helicoil insert. But I'd have thought a 2nd hand sump + plug would be easier.

[Pitman]

Pitman

Are you talking about something that is a permanent seal or one that can be re-acccessed?

Are you meaning some sort of thread locking compund?

Tucker , yes it is a thread compound, cant remember name but will hace a look at home and post later.

[tucker]

Thanks Pitman.

Replacing sum clearly the best long term option, but very messy on my 1.6 petrol as it's boxed by the exhaust, so I really don't fancy removing that with seized bolts!

Looking around the web it seems a common problem and even main dealers doing it! As said, the softer sump material, it's always the thread not the bolt that damages.

I'm looking at a few different options. Quite a few have helicoiled, but just seen something else that might be a good solution. Just going to email them and see what they think and will report back if it's a prospect!

---

Wow, these guys are on the ball...

Emailed Femco and they rang me within 5 minutes. This now looks like favourite solution:

compact drain plug

Basically, I can buy from these people a plug of the same size and thread and fit it using a permanant thread bonding compound.

You buy the drain plug with a hose and future oil changes are simply a case of attaching the hose to the drain plug and running it straight into a tub. No mess, not bolts....

Seems a runner? Total cost is about £40 delivered with the additional hose attachment. This is a bit more as I'm looking at the compact one which has a low profile, so should mean it's not at risk from grounding.

To be honest, I might have fancied this anyway for future ease given how quick clean and easy it is.

Any views??

[Pitman]

Seems you have a solution, I used loctite lock n seal compound with some ptfe tape and it worked on my bike as a quick fix temp remedy.

[Northman]

Tucker wrote:

Looking around the web it seems a common problem and even main dealers doing it! As said, the softer sump material, it's always the thread not the bolt that damages.

. . . Quite a few have helicoiled, . . .

Ha! Sounds like you've been reading about my experiences a few years ago!

[Opensauce]

I would have though Helicoil insert is way to go. It is the usual way of fixing stripped sump plugs & can be done in situ with car on ramp in a few minutes. Most garages can do Helicoiling. Citroen parts may even do a Helicoil kit for this.