drain pan threads stripped... anyone use a time-sert?
#1
drain pan threads stripped... anyone use a time-sert?
Well I just had a BP-4W motor dropped into my 1990 NA, and when going to do my first oil change today, I noticed a bit of an oil leak around the drain plug. When removing it, I found that the drain plug was one of those oversized plugs to self-seal stripped threads. The threads are definitely trashed, especially after the band-aid oversized drain plug, so chasing it or re-tapping to the M14 x 1.5 size wont work.
I'm looking at the Time-Sert kit specifically made for fixing stripped oil pans for the aluminum Mazda pans, but was just wondering what peoples experiences have been with this product, specifically for oil pans.
http://www.timesert.com/html/oilpan.pdf
I know it's popular for fixing cross threaded or stripped spark plug holes, but haven't seen much when it comes to the oil pan repairs on the Miata.
The car is a track only car, and is used for wheel to wheel, so whatever repair is done, I want it to be reliable and durable. If this is just a band-aid, like the oversized drain plug, I'll want to do it right by replacing the pan.
I'm looking at the Time-Sert kit specifically made for fixing stripped oil pans for the aluminum Mazda pans, but was just wondering what peoples experiences have been with this product, specifically for oil pans.
http://www.timesert.com/html/oilpan.pdf
I know it's popular for fixing cross threaded or stripped spark plug holes, but haven't seen much when it comes to the oil pan repairs on the Miata.
The car is a track only car, and is used for wheel to wheel, so whatever repair is done, I want it to be reliable and durable. If this is just a band-aid, like the oversized drain plug, I'll want to do it right by replacing the pan.
#2
Time Serts are good stuff. We actually use them on some production aluminum castings that we machine for a customer. They wanted more durable threads because they would be screwed on and off many times and they didn't want galling issues so we put stainless timeserts into brand new castings.
Beware, the kit is pretty pricey. It's one thing to save a couple hundred dollar head but it's another to save a cheap (er) oil pan. IIRC, the kit is like $80 because you have to use their special tap which comes with the time sert.
Beware, the kit is pretty pricey. It's one thing to save a couple hundred dollar head but it's another to save a cheap (er) oil pan. IIRC, the kit is like $80 because you have to use their special tap which comes with the time sert.
#5
I purchased the time-sert kit last night, ran me $120 shipped, but I will only be using 1 of the 5 time-serts included in the package, and will just sell off the entire kit with 1 less insert to try to make some money back.
#6
Be careful drilling the tap drill size because, as you can see in the pic above, the pickup is very close. You can wrap the drill bit in a bunch of layers of tape to form a depth stop so that it won't get sucked into the hole and subsequently into the pickup. Might even want to layer on the tape pretty thick and even throw a hose clamp around the tape so it doesn't just push the tape up.
#8
Be careful drilling the tap drill size because, as you can see in the pic above, the pickup is very close. You can wrap the drill bit in a bunch of layers of tape to form a depth stop so that it won't get sucked into the hole and subsequently into the pickup. Might even want to layer on the tape pretty thick and even throw a hose clamp around the tape so it doesn't just push the tape up.
#12
If not, yeah I will be making sure I'm super careful with a cordless drill and will be using plenty of tape to mark a stopping point.
#14
Well the time-sert repair is complete. The kit was extremely straight forward, very easy to use, everything was done by hand including the drilling out. I used a ton of grease on the bit and tap which really helped pick up all of the metal shavings, and I ran a 4 quarts of fresh oil through the engine to flush out any shavings that dropped into the pan. I then put the drain plug in, filled it with oil I ran the car for about 15 minutes, checked for any leaks (not a single drop or weep) and will be changing the oil filter in the AM. I plan to do another oil and filter change in about 500 miles or so just to make sure.
The time-sert looks great, very clean and almost looks OEM. I've got the mechanical aptitude of a 12 year old girl, and I'd say this was probably one of my easiest "repair" projects.
Not a cheap kit, $120 total, but definitely worth it to do it properly, and saving the time and money on pulling the engine to replace the oil pan.
The time-sert looks great, very clean and almost looks OEM. I've got the mechanical aptitude of a 12 year old girl, and I'd say this was probably one of my easiest "repair" projects.
Not a cheap kit, $120 total, but definitely worth it to do it properly, and saving the time and money on pulling the engine to replace the oil pan.
#15
Cpt. Slow
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Jesus, between the time sert kit and 3 oil changes within 500 miles, I would have just pulled the engine. Then again I have the mechanical skills of a 57y.o. bauce and have already done it 5 times.
Nice job though, it does indeed look great.
Nice job though, it does indeed look great.
#16
Since the kit comes with 5 total inserts, and there are 4 left now, I'm planning on selling it to someone else in need, so I'd only have about $60 or so wrapped up in the repair between 2 gallons of Rotella T6, a filter, and the difference for what I paid.
#18
I'll buy the rest of the kit from you!
Send to:
Vince Russell
1020 Grass Valley Hwy
Auburn CA 95603
I need it as soon as.. You know.
Do you paypal? Plus shipping of course.
Thanks!
Vince
Send to:
Vince Russell
1020 Grass Valley Hwy
Auburn CA 95603
I need it as soon as.. You know.
Do you paypal? Plus shipping of course.
Thanks!
Vince
lol, may be a bit overkill, and probably could get away with just changing the filter now and leaving it alone until the next normal interval, but I'm OCD.
Since the kit comes with 5 total inserts, and there are 4 left now, I'm planning on selling it to someone else in need, so I'd only have about $60 or so wrapped up in the repair between 2 gallons of Rotella T6, a filter, and the difference for what I paid.
Since the kit comes with 5 total inserts, and there are 4 left now, I'm planning on selling it to someone else in need, so I'd only have about $60 or so wrapped up in the repair between 2 gallons of Rotella T6, a filter, and the difference for what I paid.