Stripped block bolt

[m1lky]

Hi everyone.

Missus recently bought an e46 330. It has quite an oil leak (whole underside of the motor has a layer about 5mm thick and using about 500ml every 2 weeks) where the filter housing bolts onto the block. So I went out, got a new seal and put it in. The old one was brittle as hell. But one of the bolts wouldn't tighten, it must have been already stripped, and it's still leaking really bad.

If I can avoid it I don't really want to fork out for a helicoil kit as the kit ain't cheap. From memory (did it about a month ago) it was an m8 so I'm hesitant to drill the block out to an m10.

Any other suggestions though?

Cheers

[Dr HaxZaw]

put a tonne of loctite on the bolt then do it up to where it should sit and let the loctite set... all you looking to do is seal around the thread so even some gasket sealer on the thread could do the trick

[m1lky]

Cheers for the reply. Which loctite is suited to this? I'll gasket goo right around the bolt, it's straight after the oil pump so not sure if it will hold :/

[Dr HaxZaw]

i have no idea what loctite would be suitable but a general purpose one should do the trick... yeah just put gasket goo on the thread of the bolt before you put it in and it should go ok

[RiCeY]

If the bolt isnt pulling the housing in it probably wont seal at the gasket.

Is the thread on the bolt damaged?

[Andrew426]

Borrow a helicoil kit from your local engine rebuilders, they will probably only charge you for the thread inserts that you actually use (couple of dollars each)

[m1lky]

Nah the bolt thread is fine. It must be the tapped hole in the block. There are about 6 holding it on. The one bolt seems to thread it but just won't tighten :/.

I chatted to my mate at Repco. Helicoil inserts are cheap but the kit is about $150. I would think they'd come out and do it for me for some rediculous fee????

If anyone's interested its this http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/oil/housing.htm top right bolt, unfortunately an important one.


I need to pull most of what I need to get it off out this weekend to do the tensioners anyway. So I wouldn't mind trying a "dodgier"/cheap solution as I havnt got alot to loose.

[juiceie vh sle]

if your stripping it down you really should helicoil it. just ask around at a few places eg. machine shops, engine builders, mechanics any places like that and im sure they'll let ya use there kit... and where im from cartons of beer is the prefered currency

[COMMYBOI]

Have you tried a longer bolt to grab the thread deeper in the hole. If possible

[m1lky]

No I havnt but that's a good idea.

It threads in, but doesn't get tight :/.

What about this stuff and gasket goo?
http://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/onli....aspx?pid=5357

[COMMYBOI]

You would have to read the packet. It is fairly cheap aswel. did you try the longer bolt

[BNGRANT_99]

we recently picked up a helicoiol kit for around $60 or $70 for the same reason.. got it from an engineering shop called nepean bolt master. used 2coils for the one bolt then sold the rest of the kit on ebay for $55.. $10 or $15 for a proper repair was pretty good.. just a thought

[m1lky]

I tried threading the bolt for that hole in without the plate in place. Still didn't get tight.

Loctite and gasket goo (high temp crc acid cure) left for 48 hours to cure seems to be holding. Touch wood.

Failing that I'll buy a heli coil kit then try flog it in. Cheers for that tip.

Edit: heli coils are fing cheap on eBay. http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=400232409986&cmd=VIDESC&index=9&na v=SEARCH&nid=20358230064