So I just put in a new oil pan gasket yesterday. Everything went well except one bolt won't tighten to the specified 7 ft lbs. If I were to guess it gets to about 4 or 5 and then it's as if it slips out of the threads and you again can re tighten them to the same amount of resistance before it repeats the cycle.

my first thought was throw some threadlocker on the bolt and tighten it as best I can, but I didn't want to be hasty.

speaking of loose oil pan bolts, when I was removing the pan itself quite a few were loose to the point where I could remove them with two fingers. I had the gasket replaced by a Jeep shop a little over a year ago. I'm wondering, would that be the error of a technician perhaps not following proper procedure (ie torquing bolts properly) or is this a common occurrence due to engine vibration? The shop I took it too specializes in jeeps, but in my experience were highly incompetent on anything that's not a jk.

thanks!

 

the threads in that bolt hole are gone. about your only options are tapping it (using a tap to cut new, larger threads) or installing a helicoil. neither will be real easy. a properly installed bolt will not come loose.

 

Be careful if you need to rethread and use a bigger drain bolt ALOT of shops wont even want to touch your jeep for an oil change. There will still be some but atleast here they wont want to touch it.

 

The best fix would be to drill and tap, or helicoil. But you may just want to try some thread locker and check it periodically to see if it's leaking.

 

I checked out the helicoil and it seems like it would be best. Seeing as my bolt doesn't need any tapping, it seems like it would be pretty straightforward?

 

Take the bolt out, insert the end of a small plastic ziptie into the hole. Run the bolt back up. The zip tie will put enough pressure on the bolt for it tighten. Plus, that bolt isn't going to come out very often, and its not even a structural bolt, so you can probably leave this temp fix in for a long time.

Helicoil is the best and more permanent option of course.

 

I'm trying this mother out!! Will let you know how it goes. Thanks!

 

I would also. I've used a paper clip also in a pinch.

The bolts were loose because the shop did ****ty work.

 

lol Ill post a pic of the old gasket soon. It is ridiculously destroyed after only one year of service. Done by one of "the Best" Jeep shops in SoCal.

Lesson: Do your own work! And pay attention to warning signs like when your mechanic has an 88 XJ as well, but admits hes too lazy to fix his own leaking oil pan and RMS.

The zip tie didnt work so I think Im gonna go the helicoil route. Just a little reluctant because I will have to undo my gasket job.

I just used Gasgacinch and a tiny bit of rtv at the corners on the gasket, is it reusable? Im just thinking if I want it to be a one and done job, I may just want to buy a new one.