Been teaching my lad to do a few things to the van and let him do an oil change on my type 4 1800 over the weekend. I told him the crush washer to use was in the box of oil change stuff with the filter etc. It was, but so was some other metal washer (maybe the rounded one that goes with changing the strainer if you're very daring) and sods law means you can guess which one he found first... It now feels like the thread has gone, the plug turns but doesn't get any tighter or looser. Anybody know a good trick for getting the plug out? Any suggestions much appreciated
Spot weld a small t on so you can unscrew and pull? Or epoxy bond or get a good pair of locking grips on on or a small g clamp Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
Unfortunately the nut is harder than the case so if the case thread has stripped you may need to retapp a new thread and slightly larger nut Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll give it a go with the grips first. Will have to get some small enough but they'll come in useful. Be nice if the case is OK but you've confirmed my fears there.
Going to be a tricky one i’m afraid, if the thread has stripped in the case. Try and find some way of pulling the plug down as you’re turning. Will likely need something like a helicoil repair if you can get the plug out. Good luck!
Are you sure you/he used the correct plug? Two sizes were fitted to Type 4’s and if you’re lucky it’ll be M12x1.5 and you can re-tap for a M14x1.5 plug.
Worst case, drill a hole in the plug and fit the widest screw extractor you've got. Use that to pull down hard while trying to unscrew the plug. You'll have oil running down your arm. Failing that, Dremel it out as best you can. Then give the lad a good clout.
Halfords do a universal sump plug for £8, much like a spring loaded toggle fixing for ceiling/wall voids - part number HFX693. Its described as temporary but has good reviews.
Thanks for your help all. Few things to try there so i'll start with the grips and work my way down. I'm sure he did use the right plug because it was the only one there. The alternative washer was down to me being untidy, can't blame him for using it because I said there was only the right one in there. I have already given myself a good clout and will dish out a few more if this turns into a lengthy saga.
I don't think the washer's to blame. Likely overtightened it (or the thread was on its way out anyway).
Shouldn't have been able to over tighten it because I'd set the torque wrench for him so I wondered if using a not crushable washer had caused it. Not that it really matters now.
Nothing to do with the washer. It’s either overtightened or it’s the wrong plug or the thread was already knackered.
