Unfortunate Coolant Leak...

[Mrk_Mickey]

I have a coolant leak, and it's in a crap spot.

The flange on the thermostat housing that bolts to the block has two or three 5mm hex bolts in it, including a shorter one. This shorter one doesn't tighten up on my car....and the bolt is fine, so it's the block that has been stripped.

To give an idea on how quickly it leaks, I'll fill it up and it will be 10 minutes before the coolant light starts to flash on my cluster.

Help?

[mk3pete]

you may have retap it bigger and use a heli coil to suit the m5 bolt

[Peter Jones]

Helicoil is first choice, cheap and permanent repair that's stronger than original.

Bolt is probably M6

[Mrk_Mickey]

Awesome! So if I go into a bolt shop (if I can make it in time today...) can I get all this stuff?

And is it something I should be asking someone to do for me or can I do it?

[Peter Jones]

Bolt places, or engineering suppliers have them.

Process isn't too challenging but does involve a few tools you might not have.

Take a look at this

Probably best to take one of the bolts with you to make sure you get the right size.

[Peter Jones]

I use the recoil kits myself. A lot of places stock these.

Recoil | Thread Repair Kits