Heli coil kits??

[WilliamBos]

Hi All,

What is the opinion on Heli-Coil kits? BIL's´ 2000 VW Golf 2.0 gas has a stripped pan plug hole, and because the pan is aluminum it will cost a fortune. This is why we are going to try and use a Heli coil to fix it.

We have never used one before, so are wondering if they are really that simple?

All help appreciated.

 

[SimS]

What about one of those DIY rubber plugs?

 

[kennyd]

They are really that simple! I have had excellent results using them. How thick is the area that the plug screws into?

 

[AlanB]

Yes, they are that simple, and yes, I would reccomend it.

That said, I would do a practice one or something once or twice before committing do doing my oil pan upside down.

Instead of breaking the tang with the punch, I would grab it with pliers or hemostats and wiggle till it breaks.

I would insert it with a liberal dose of blue sealing, threadlocking locktite gel.

I would grease the tap prior to tapping the hole and back it out often.

I would start the tap, and stop, and look and check for true, and make my BIL check for true, and get out from underneath and go back and check that I was true before committing.

Careful with the plugs go to the truck section if you want to read of my struggling with my truck and a cheater plug.

I would insert a Fumoto drain plug after I got it helicoiled.

Hope it works out well for you.

 

[WilliamBos]

So, would you recommend we drop the pan to bew on the safer side?

The pan plug is M14 x 1.5 x 22. So what size and what do we use as a new plug? bolt??

Any other tips are appreciated.

Never used Heli's before.

Thanks,

 

[kennyd]

Dropping the pan is the safest way if at all possible. It will ensure all chips are removed and you will have a better shot of drilling the hole straight.

You can get the coil in the same size as the plug is now, so you can use the factory plug.

 

[Sandlot]

AutoZone.com | Repair Info | Oil Drain Plug - How To Instructions

 

[Bird]

Dropping the pan is the safest way if at all possible. It will ensure all chips are removed and you will have a better shot of drilling the hole straight.

You can get the coil in the same size as the plug is now, so you can use the factory plug.

The only time I've used a heli coil was on an aluminum head on a two-cycle Lawnboy lawnmower, and I removed the head to be sure I didn't leave any chips or shavings in the cylinder. The old lawnmower was still running just fine when I gave it away years later when I retired and went to full time RVing. So, I'd agree that dropping the pan will be the safest way to go.

 

[Sandlot]

Wow! Lawnboy, that sure brings back memories. I started my first lawn care service back in 1964 (I was 8) with a used Lawnboy. The spark plug hole stripped out. I just took some string and wrapped the spark plug threads a few turns with it and screwed it in. Poor kids heli-coil. In 1973 my Dad finally bought a new mower and took the old Lawnboy out to his work and used it to mow the small patch of grass under the flag pole, where it is still performing this duty today.

 

[Bird]

Wow! Lawnboy, that sure brings back memories. I started my first lawn care service back in 1964 (I was 8) with a used Lawnboy. The spark plug hole stripped out. I just took some string and wrapped the spark plug threads a few turns with it and screwed it in. Poor kids heli-coil. In 1973 my Dad finally bought a new mower and took the old Lawnboy out to his work and used it to mow the small patch of grass under the flag pole, where it is still performing this duty today.

I'm a little older than you. I bought a new Lawnboy to use in my lawnmowing business in the Spring of 1956, when I was 16 years old. the year before I'd bought a cheap mower with a Clinton engine and it was too much trouble. But then in June, my dad quit his job and bought a service station, and needed me to help run the station, so I sold the Lawnboy.

Then in 1972, I bought a used Lawnboy. The dealer thought it was either one or two years old. It was my own fault I stripped the threads over tightening the spark plug, but the heli coil fixed it and after using it for 17 years I gave it away.