Sump drain hole stripped

[craig_the_german]

Hi all,

HELP!!!!

While giving the Golf an oil and filter change today, I noticed why I had been having trouble getting the engine sump plug to seal....the thread had stripped out of the drain hole in the sump...BUGGER!!!

After buying the golf last year (MK4 1.6L), on the first oil change I noticed that the sump plug had lots of sealer around it...I now know why.

The car came with a full service history but seems to have been serviced by Gorillas.

1st question - has anyone else had issues with the thread stripping out of the sump drain hole...the sump is cast alloy so I am guessing I am not the first to have this happen.

2nd question - what did you do about it?

3rd question - is there a "reputable" workshop in Brisbane who could fix this issue. I am guessing the sump may need to come off to re tap the thread.

Any help you could give me would be a great start.

Thanks everyone.

[Jmac]

Mate call around your local automotive shops like repco and autobarn and ask for an oversize sump plug with a piggyback. This cuts a new thread and seals for life. Then the piggyback is the new drain plug . Ill have a look aroiund but im sure these places do that. otherwise these guys in the states do the lot matehttp://www.cgenterprises.com/drain_plugs_oversize_repair.htm. If you are worried about the swarf take the sump off no dramas and reseal with the proper VW AMV paste. Let me know if you are stuck mate.
Cheers ( by the way if you go the states option you need 14mm oversize piggyback which is 14.5mm and a seal too 2602.)

[craig_the_german]

Sump plug

Hi Jimmymac,

Thanks for the info, I'll look around at the auto stores.

In your opinion, do I need to remove the sump? I just have horrible thoughts of swarf, bearings, seals all mashing together....

Thanks

[aprr32]

Sump thrad

Very common problem,try and find a wheel bolt from a 1500 or S bug.The thread is a little bit bigger in diameter and the bolt is longer and will pick up the unstriped thread.You don't even need a washer as the taper on the wheel bolt seals well.

[Jmac]

There would be minimal thread when you fit an oversize one as it cuts its own. IMO if it were mine i would fit the oversize and then take it off to clean. Easy sump mate. then the mind will be clear.
Cheers. Try and get a piggy back mate then there is no fear of alloy damage later. The piggyback plug will be your new plug.
Cheers

[craig_the_german]

Sump plug

Hi all,

Thanks for the info everyone. I think I might do the piggyback idea. Just to put my mind at ease.

Are the sumps "leakers" ie. is it difficult to get a good seal again? My last car had a pressed metal sump and it leaked and leaked I guess that being cast, it would be easier to get a seal again.

Any tricks before I start?

What size piggyback should I be getting given that the original thread looks about 14mm?

thanks again

[Jmac]

Yeah you are right it is 14mm, you need a 14.5 oversize sump plug with a rubber impregnated seal. Look up this site http://www.cgenterprises.com/drain_p...ize_repair.htm
This will give you an idea
Jimmy

[Jmac]

Repco can order one for you at around $22 , piggyback, they didnt even know about such a thing surprise surprise.

[craig_the_german]

Piggyback plug

Hi,

I rang around today and got the same response..."you want a what?".....

However....my local Autopro shop in Jimboomba has ordered me an oversize piggyback plug, will be here Tuesday or Wednesday..how much..."about 6 bucks" was his reply.

I rang VW (Springwood) regarding the sealer for the sump.....No one had any spare mind bullets there today either..."just use some silastic" was the reply from the parts guy...I think not. I have some Loctite 510 gasket replacement that maybe ok to use but will do a bit of research first.

From the responses you would have sworn that I had the first stripped sump drain hole in the history of the automobile.

Thanks Jimmymac for pointing me in the right direction.

[ontarv]

I've seen a few on other model cars
seen many late model holdens that have been heli coiled
you won't need to take sump off
even if you cut a new over size thread and fitted heli coil
a heli coil is stainless steel thread looks like a spring
you just tap a new thread screw in heli coil with loctite
and you can use an original sump plug
even done this to fix buggered spark plug threads without pulling head off
most reputable mechanics could do it and prob have done it
that if the over size one doesn't work of course
you should be fine though
hope your leak free soon

[Jmac]

Mate the parts are shocking man no matter where you go they have the big blank expression like you have asked them the some massive equation, i always say fixing the vehicle is the easy bit getting the parts is another story - just ask them to order you some D176404A2 mate , they should have it on the shelf. This is the gear for the sump, great stuff mate.
Piggyback will work well and its 1st oversize you need which takes to 14.5 mm roughly.
Let me know how you go.
Cheers

[craig_the_german]

Sealer

Hi Jimmymac, is that part # a VW part number?

[Jmac]

Yeah bud its a listed number for Audi or Vw try Audi if you have no joy with VW they will have it. Its really good gear mate
Cheers

[craig_the_german]

Job Done!!!

Hi all,

Just a quick update...replaced the stripped sump drain hole with an oversized drain plug.

Despite ordering a "piggyback" plug, an ordinary self tapping oversized plug arrived but as the old plug was sealed with plumbers thread tape and a prayer I really had no choice but to try it.

1. Drained the oil.

2. Thoroughly cleaned the area so as not to get any junk in the hole (usual practice when changing oil anyway).

3. Screwed the new oversized drain plug into the hole. Went in very nicely and tightened snuggly.

4. Unscrewed the plug and used cotton buds (cotton tips) from the wife's makeup case to carefully clean out the threads and pick up anything that went inside the drain hole. The cotton tips allowed me to clean around inside the sump incase any swarf went inside. These worked a treat and I am comfortable that I left nothing behind in the sump.

5. Refitted the oversized plug and then refilled with oil...Job done.

6. Cost - oversized drain plug - $7.50
Pinching the cotton buds from the wife's makeup case - priceless

[Jmac]

Piggy back next time mate at least you can get 2nd oversize worst comes to worst but good job mate all is well.
Cheers