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Re: [T3] red loctite for oil sump studs?


On 16 Dec 2005 at 3:19, David Yaghoubian wrote:

> I have several loose and leaking oil sump studs after installing a 1.5 qt 
> sump without using any thread sealant/locking agent (brilliant, I know). 

You really don't need ANY sealant on the threads since they would 
only allow leaks down into your new sump. Any leaks radially outward 
in the joint between the case and the sump should be sealed by the 
gasket between them. You just need a standard oil change gasket here.

You DID put a gasket in there, didn't you? If you did, and it still 
leaks, you probably need to check the fit and make sure the surfaces 
are clean.  

The only problem with loose studs is that they might loosen and fall 
out, relieving the compression on the gasket. If they are actually 
loose and can work around, then Loctite would be in order to keep 
them stationary. If they are allowed to work around, then they will 
wear out the threads in the case and cause trouble.  

I don't see any problem with using the most permanent kind of Loctite 
you can find. They can all be removed later, some are just harder 
than others. Just clean it off the parts where you don't want it and 
clean all the oil off the area where it gets installed. Q-tips and 
alcohol or acetone are probably a good idea.  

The original studs are just an interference fit in the case, so there 
was no other sealant there, either. The problem with these studs is 
that people tend to abuse them and this leads to them coming loose. 
They can eventually strip out completely, which just leaves you with 
a giant oil leak. I have a jig that allows me to drill and tap these 
holes nice and straight for a Heli-Coil, which I install and then 
Loctite the stud back in.  

When I rebuild an engine, one of the things I sometimes do, 
especially if there are already loose studs, is replace all the studs 
with bolts with the heads inside the case. I have to be careful to 
adjust the lengths to get them just right, but then they will never 
loosen up or strip out. That right front stud is hard to replace, 
however.  

-- 
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
*******************************

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