loose sump bolts WTF ?

[aussieghostrider]

Today I was changing oil and filter on my car I then degreased the engine ... when I ws underneath the car I noticed a bolt was missing from the front of the sump and also one was loose, there was only a little drop of oil there so wasnt that bad.

I checked the others that I could get to and they seemed fine. just seems weird the loose ones where easy to ge to ..


The cars never had any engine work as i look after the car so could this be from when engine was built or can these bolts come loose after 17 years ? Im the only owner of the car so I know exactly whats been done to it mechanically so I know the sumps never been touched.But My mum use to take car to rip off mechanic to get serviced thats why I learnt how do do things myself and from help of friends who are mechanics.I do minor things like changing hoses , oil , filters , sparkplugs ... anything to major I get my mate to do.

Anyway My dad fixes washin machines etc and I found a right size bolt in size and length and i gently put it in and tightened little bit, Im pretty sure these bolts are torqued to a certain tightness so I didnt do them up that much as I didnt want to make it worse.The leaks stopped now so Im happy but Im thanking god I found it before the other bolt dropped and may have started pissing oil everywhere.

the bolts im refering to are front of sump on the side where aircon pulley is.

Has anyone ever had this happen ? Could some dodgy mechanic that I took car years ago to get major service had done this on purpose ?

[andrewownsavp]

Spose its possible.

[berlitza05]

yeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrppppp,,,, it can happen

[Morton]

Yeah, not impossible. Could be a factory quirk that two came loose. My mate Pat has a VT Berlina, and only last week he was surprised to find half the bolts on his trans sump had come a full turn loose after only two years. Bolts can shake themselves out over time if not fastened correctly. Maybe refit them with some loctite?

[Emackulation]

Yeah, not impossible. Could be a factory quirk that two came loose. My mate Pat has a VT Berlina, and only last week he was surprised to find half the bolts on his trans sump had come a full turn loose after only two years. Bolts can shake themselves out over time if not fastened correctly. Maybe refit them with some loctite?

Agreed, although I havn't had this issue with the engine sump, I have has loose transmission bolts. Maybe you should check them too.

[VTPREDATOR]

lol, this post made me think. when i was removing the standard sump on my v6 to fit a custom one for a conversion, all bolts i undid by finger except one. thort that was suss.