gt6j Posted February 8, 2023 Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 Whilst trying to sort suspension under the car I spotted a bolt halfway out under the fan.. Tried to tighten but will only go finger tight and is a spinner, not sure whether worry or leave it as is? Pic below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted February 8, 2023 Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 No oil is leaking from it, but I guess that you mean that the thread is stripped. (it's a spinner). If you cannot remove it and try a longer one, I would be tempted to cover it in a silcone sealant to keep it in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 8, 2023 Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 Unfortunately that is a very common failure because it screws into an aluminium 'bridge' piece behind. The two bolts below that fix the sump go into the same piece and can also strip very easily. Replacement pieces are available in aluminium or even steel but its quite a big job to change so I have drilled and retapped all three holes in-situ so that M10 allen socket head bolts can be used. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 8, 2023 Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 you may find a M8 with give enough thread to make a fit but as Jonny said M10 or 3/8"unf is a common repair it is often had too long bolts fitted and they bottom out then strip in the hands of a gorilla Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt6j Posted February 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 OK cheers for help will see if bigger one works, may try silicone to just keep it there thanks again 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 8, 2023 Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 Looks really lucky that the front cover isnt leaking so maybe leave well alone😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted February 8, 2023 Report Share Posted February 8, 2023 In order to tap it out you will have to remove the pulley. Looks like sealant until it leaks. If it does try tapering a larger diameter screw and cutting slots in it so that it 'Self taps'. It works in soft material so could be ok into aluminium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 The problem, certainly for tapping M10, is that the hole in the front cover (or sump) isnt big enough so has to be drilled out. Doing this in-situ is a bit difficult but is possible with care... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 Question?, for those that have done it. Is there the clearance, even with the Pulley off?. And would it be possible to "helicoil"?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 On the Vitesse I had to remove the radiator to be able to get a drill in to open up the front cover hole. Cant see why a helicoil couldnt be used - have to look at the size of drill required and, if doing it with the steel cover/sump in place, theres still the problem of its hole having to be as big as the major diameter of the tapping thread. Then of course any bolt used would need a washer to ensure it covers said hole... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 If it's not leaking oil, but merely refusing to tighten fully, I'd try some kind of thread lock adhesive; coat the bolt, tighten by hand until it's as tight as it will go then leave to set. If it does start to leak, and it won't be a catastrophic leak just a drip, then look at longer-term solutions. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt6j Posted February 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 Cheers again for help, I did just get some loctite today, so will whizz it in tomorrow with a good helping and see how it goes from there. It isn't really really loose so hopefully will do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 If you do have the engine apart at some stage and want to upgrade the sealing block this is it in steel👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt6j Posted February 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 Thanks again Johny, think I will at some point down the line. Its all new to me at the minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted February 9, 2023 Report Share Posted February 9, 2023 I've modified around 3 originals during engine rebuilds by Heli-Coiling all the threads with the same UNF thread even the blind hoes but make sure the Helicoil insert is not protruding above the surface of the Sealing block. I used the shortest length Heli-Coil possible. It makes the fitted thread a lot more durable against gorilla hands. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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