26 replies to this topic

[Coxie]

I know it's a bodge but could you not wrap the thread of the sump plug with ptfe tape and wind it in until you can get time to do a proper fix.

[Jordie]

Risk loosing all the oil very quickly and wrecking the engine and box if it doesnt hold. Repair it properly.

[ACDodd]

I have a design for an in situ tapping tool for the mini gearbox, I just need the time to make one!

 

AC

[alex-95]

Nope. Not when you have magnets in the area.

A steel plug could get magnetised. And hold stuff on it rather than only on the sump plug.

Oh yeah, didn't think of the magnet. what about stainless?

[nicklouse]

Nope. Not when you have magnets in the area.
A steel plug could get magnetised. And hold stuff on it rather than only on the sump plug.

Oh yeah, didn't think of the magnet. what about stainless?

Some stainless can be magnetised the same as normal steel.

You don't want anything that the magnet on the plug can be attracted to as you would then have the possibility of scraping off a pile of metallic bits on it. And then not being able to remove them.

[TheJack]

I have temporarily but PTFE tape and a new copper washer on, it has stopped the leak even when the engine is running, now I am going to ring round to see if any garages can helicoil as I don't want to do it myself as I'll probably mess it up! Hoping that Somerford Mini's might do it as they are only an hours drive up the road!

[TheJack]

All booked in for repair next Wednesday! Just worried about getting there as it's an hour drive! Any ideas on how to keep the plug in just in case?

[gazza82]

The PTFE tape should hold it ..

[Tomm]

i don't know if this will work in your situation here, but it has worked with damaged threads for me in the past.

Could you not pack an additional copper washer on the sump plug?

Therefore the plug won't go far enough into the box to meet the damaged thread, you may be able to utilise the good part of the tread on your sump bolt meaning you might be able to get enough tension on the sump bolt to adequately contain oil to get you to the repair chap.

Just an idea, one I would prefer over PTFE tape. My concern would be how well does the PTFE tape stand up to exposion to oil? I have only ever dealt with it in pneumatic situations.

Edited due to having fat fingers.

Edited by tomm, 14 September 2015 - 06:18 PM.

[Spider]

All booked in for repair next Wednesday! Just worried about getting there as it's an hour drive! Any ideas on how to keep the plug in just in case?

 

f the thread is that dicey that you fear the plug might fall out along the way, you could make up a simple tab, bolt it up to one of the studs on the transfer case which is just next to the sump plug, to hold it in place, it'll need a couple of bends in it and at the end of the day, it doesn't have to look pretty.

[bikewiz]

There was a post on the US Minimania site with a setup for holding a messed up sump plug in. Pretty elaborate bodge.

http://www.minimania...s_this_bolt_for

[hhhh]

I've been using a rubber expansion plug for years. I've lost the benefit of the magnet, but it'll do for now.