Engineering workshop in Blantyre, Malawi?
 

Hello

Im stuck in Blantyre with a stripped sump plug and need a really good engineering workshop to save me...
Any suggestions?

Jim

Hi,
which kind of vehicle?
where in the layout it's happened?
and, sump plug pipe: oil or gasoline/diesel ones?

Cheers
ag

HI again

Its the sump plug thread on a Yamaha xt 600 motorcycle. In the aluminium engine casing, I think it needs an M16 Helicoil...

Jim

Agree that it would be useful to tell us what kind of vehicle you are using. I assume it's a bike as in cars you usually have a separate sump which you can detach from the vehicle and get it fixed and often it's even made from steel which makes it really easy.

If it's a bike with sump plug in the crankcase you can try to source a thread cutter and cut a bigger thread. This is not really easy as you probably have to drill out the plug hole and then cut the thread all nice and rectangular to your sealing surface. Look for hydraulics engineers. They should have the necessary tools as well as an oversized plug. Not recommended. If you cut skew your new plug will either not seal or even worse break the new thread.

The perfect solution is a Time-sert thread repair. The common sump plug threads M12x1.25 and M14x1.25 are readily available as spark plug repair kits. Check engine rebuilders and automotive engineering places. If you can't source anyone doing Time-sert repairs in Blantyre: They are marketed worldwide by Würth. Not sure if you can get them in Malawi but definitely in SA. The repair kits are $$$ pricey but fool proof and designed to be used in roadside repairs. They don't require special tools and are DIY friendly.

Don't let anyone talk you into a helicoil repair. Whilst Helicoil is bungle in general it's really bad for spark plugs and sump plugs and the like as the thread is not gas and oil tight and the whole mess will come out sooner or later.

I don't have a XT 600 plug here but I am quite sure that it's either a M12x1.25 or M 14x1.25 thread. See previous post about helicoil and sump plug threads. Not only oil comes out. Sooner or later the helicoil + plug + oil will come out.,

Measure the outer diameter of the plug. To determine the pitch compare it with a standard 8mm bolt (one of the four holding your handlebar is a M8x1.25)

Ok, now it's more clear...

Search for Aluminium bi-component toothpaste (I hope to be clear, no other word in italian), prepare it and screw the plug, with it on, onto the case (not so strong, just put it in) and after 2-3 hours add some other (new) aluminium paste between the plug an the case... (it's the same procedure with cooling repair kit, maybe it's easier to found and also working well)

Had worked in the past, it will work again now ;-)

More hard job is to weld directly the plug, with diecast tools (electrodes in nikel, or electrodes for welding aluminum) , onto the case...
If you go where people repair trucks, normally you'll find out all the necessary


-> I agree, never use helicoil.... pls!

Good luck!
ag