Helicoils

[ianmayco68]

Hi all , I was resealing the sump this morning when the bolt in the middle at the front wouldn’t tighten up so I took it out , once out there was thread on the end of the bolt  which I am assuming was a helicoil as it appeared to be threaded on the out side . It was badly corroded, is it normal for these to corrode like that ? And can you just fit a new one ? I’m hoping you can or it means stripping the engine apart to fit one if it starts leaking , which with my look it’s bound to .

cheers Ian

[qwakers]

i think helicoils are stainless.

 

from your description its torn a damaged and corroded thread out of the bolthole, so id just helicoil it and carry on. helicoils are in general stronger than the original.

 

Edited June 15, 2018 by qwakers

[ianmayco68]

Didn't know if they did aluminium ones , it was how it came out that made me think it was a helicoil as it was theaded on the outside as well . Sorry forgot to say it's a 200tdi 110 the problem is its a long bolt and it goes up into the ladder frame , I think it goes up into the block .

[vulcan bomber]

Can you put a picture up of the offending bolt with whatever is on the end of it?

[ianmayco68]

Unfortunately no , I removed what was wrapped around it to the floor in the pit before It dawned on me a photo might be a good idea  . There is still part of the thread in the hole .

[western]

You can get a helicoil kit from Machine mart in various sizes. 

if its one of the 3 60mm long bolts at front of sump/ladder frame, the thread is actually in the engine block.

[ianmayco68]

Yes Ralph it’s the one in the middle , I was pretty sure it went into the block that’s why I thought someone had previously helicoiled it as even though half or more of the thread has come out the bolt still screws in but doesn’t tighten . Any way it’s not leaking so I’m happy to leave it for a while , have seen those kits in machine mart also found some on fleabay didn’t realise they were that cheap so I’ll get one and have a look . The last thing I want to do is strip the engine just to put a helicoil in , as it might be as qwackers said that the thread was damaged and has come out .

Edited June 21, 2018 by ianmayco68

[miketomcat]

If the thread is in the block you will need to strip the ladder frame off to helicoil it. You need to drill it oversize, tap it and then fit the helicoil none of which will go up an 8mm bolt hole. If the thread is in the ladder you either need to take the sump off or the bodge would be to do it through the sump then use a washer over the now oversize hole in the sump.

Mike

[Bowie69]

You could try a 10mm longer bolt, and don't heave on it, often blind holes are deeper than they need to be.

[ianmayco68]

Cheers Bowie69 will try the longer bolt , the thought of removing and stripping the engine to fit a helicoil is not appealing especially when it’s my everyday car and I’ve finally stopped the leak from the sump so hopefully the longer bolt will work .

cheers all Ian