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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:18 am Post subject: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that?
It's a pita to scrape off.
Looks like it's in the threads too...grrr
What thread is the plug just in case I have to chase the threads?
What gasket is best on the rain plug?
I don't know these things because I'm a Subi guy working on a friend's WBX.
Thanks _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4717 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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it was likely part of a HeliCoil install. the red schmoo that leaked past should be hardened and maybe is evening out the HeliCoil to block interface. i'd leave it after determining there's a HeliCoil in there.
i like the nylon gaskets... seal up with minimal torque on the said threads. _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50261
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Its possible it was used as a thread restorer and that problems await down the road. |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Well this buggered oil plug may be a reason.
I didn't find a gasket.
_________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:28 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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No helicoil _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50261
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:35 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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vanis13 wrote: |
Well this buggered oil plug may be a reason.
I didn't find a gasket.
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Looks like that plug was removed with a chisel at some point in time. Scary that someone reused it, especially without a gasket. I think the plugs are just 14mm threads, don't remember the pitch but it is common. |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 503 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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I use a copper crush ring from the FLAPS and torque wrench.
Your plug looks boogered, but you could try a new one with new crush ring and pour in half a quart to see if it leaks before taking it further. |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Wildthings wrote: |
vanis13 wrote: |
Well this buggered oil plug may be a reason.
I didn't find a gasket.
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Looks like that plug was removed with a chisel at some point in time. Scary that someone reused it, especially without a gasket. I think the plugs are just 14mm threads, don't remember the pitch but it is common. |
Re chisel.... If you look at the other plug picture, it looks like they put it in a vice or vice grip maybe thinking that surface was an old crush washer.
I first thought that too from a similar experience on my motorcycle with a PO frozen/crushed alum washer.
But not the case here though. This is the seating surface... Interesting of the bimetal construction (copper spacer). You can barely see the internal of the engine side that has different metal in the middle. It's not magnetic.... Curious -What's the reason for this bimetal? _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DanHoug Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016 Posts: 4717 Location: Bemidji, MN
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Heli-Coils don't need threadlocker when installed properly but that can go south easily with poor drilling or tapping.
the red loctite may have been an attempt at fixing one that was buggered up or they may have installed one with red loctite and got oil on the case threads rendering the loctite useless and loctite on the plug, making it one with the insert.
get a new drain plug and a new identical insert of what ever type it was, clean all the oil off which is no small feat given the perpetual drip, and insert a new insert. might even want to red loctite it in. you might be a lucky dog! _________________ -dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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tjet Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 3528 Location: CA & NM
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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djkeev wrote: |
Look closer guys, the gasket is there and squeezed between the thread repair coil and the drain plug.
Dave |
Nice Dave!....the only one to beat you in time was tencent himself that sent me a direct message (both being from NM I got the locals treatment, SO lucky to have him as a resource)
So this is how I solved it:
The insert with attracted plug became the plug. Found a 18mm fiber washer for oil plugs. Had to grind down the outer diameter to fit in the WBX recessed hole.
No leaks so far! (And yes, I put oil in it 😋)
They had a 18mm oil plug with the same threads as the insert but it had a 17 hex and the sealing flange was super wide so would have taken tons of grinding. I was glad to find it as it led me to finding the unique fiber washer.
_________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:24 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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I’ve abandoned Loctite products in protesting the marketing genius who decided to put loctite Blue into a red tube. _________________ .ssS! |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 4:16 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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My case came with a buggered drain plug.
I ordered an 18mmx1.5 plug from Bellmetric.
I also sourced a tap and a tap drill.
The plug fits perfectly into the oil plug recess with no modifications.
Cut and paste from my build thread .........
"Mr. Mailman brought me a 21/32” drill bit!
Yay!
Now I can fix that darn crap home made drain plug! Even with the engine oil drained, it just drips constantly! 18 x 1.5 mm drain plug.
I actually added a bit of oil to flush the chips out as I drilled and tapped. I can take credit for this mess.
Used my 18 x 1.5 mm tap and cut some new threads........
Don't have a large tap holder here so vise grips did the job.
Screwed in the new drain plug...... PERFECT fit! There is no space for another buggered drain plug repair!
That circular area is all drain plug now.
Dave _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 4:29 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Dave, where do you get the 18mm drain washers narrow enough to fit in the recess?
I felt really lucky finding the 18mm fiber one but it needed the outside diameter ground down. I'd like to get my friend a handful of spares to have on hand for whoever changes her oil in the future. _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 3549 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 5:00 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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vanis13 wrote: |
Dave, where do you get the 18mm drain washers narrow enough to fit in the recess?
I felt really lucky finding the 18mm fiber one but it needed the outside diameter ground down. I'd like to get my friend a handful of spares to have on hand for whoever changes her oil in the future. |
Try McMaster-Carr, they might have some crush washers that narrow. Will one of these work.
https://www.mcmaster.com/crush-washers/system-of-measurement~metric/od~17-9-mm/ _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32433 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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Dave, the O-Ring idea is a good solution. Looking forward to hearing the info on what you have/find.
Happy to report the fiber washer fix is still working well and dry this morning. _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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valvecovergasket Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018 Posts: 1491 Location: pnw
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Red Locktite around oil drain plug . Why would someone do that? |
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If the proper washers do not work, then likely the drilled hole was not correctly perpendicular to the sealing surface. Without a properly machined channel for the o-ring, I'm not sure how you can torque the drain plug tight enough to ensure it won't fall out from vibration without ruining the oring. |
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