Hey all, I am a new member and have a question.
I was working on my 2000 Maxima ( V6 3.0L)... changing out the spark plugs.
I was on the very last one, back side, closest to the driver side. I removed the coil pack bolt and it broke. This was about 2 weeks ago. Put it all back with out the bolt on. The coil pack is seated on the plug still w/o the bolt holding it firm.
The car is still running 100% normal, as it seated fine on the plug.
So was just making sure that this is ok?
Thanks for the help!
Coil pack bolt
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MinisterofDOOM
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Re: Coil pack bolt (melted_ice)
Fine for a little while, but I wouldn't leave it like that. Get a set of bolt extractors and you'll be able to remove the broken bolt with your power drill.
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melted_ice
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Re: Coil pack bolt (MinisterofDOOM)
Thank you for the reply.
I just don't understand why it would be fine for just a little while, since there is not being any pressure/force exerted on the coil pack.
I also have never drilled out a bolt. Is this a job a repair shop or a dealership could take care of? Or easy as something I could do.
I just don't understand why it would be fine for just a little while, since there is not being any pressure/force exerted on the coil pack.
I also have never drilled out a bolt. Is this a job a repair shop or a dealership could take care of? Or easy as something I could do.
Re: Coil pack bolt (melted_ice)
Eventually the vibration from driving will likely unseat the coil from the plug.
Any auto shop should be able to drill out the broken bolt, or you could probably do it yourself. But by the time you buy the tools needed and spend your time working on it, it may be cheaper to just have it done.
Any auto shop should be able to drill out the broken bolt, or you could probably do it yourself. But by the time you buy the tools needed and spend your time working on it, it may be cheaper to just have it done.
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MinisterofDOOM
- Moderator
- Posts: 30928
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2004 5:51 pm
- Car: 1962 Corvair Monza
1961 Corvair Lakewood
1974 Unimog 404
1997 Pathfinder XE
2005 Lincoln LS8
Former:
1995 Q45t
1993 Maxima GXE
1995 Ranger XL 2.3
1984 Coupe DeVille - Location: The middle of nowhere.
Re: Coil pack bolt (melted_ice)
Drilling out the bolt is pretty simple, you just need the right tools. Bolt extractors are just special reverse-rotation drill bits that are designed to bite into the broken bolt and unscrew it.
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NutriaforBreakfast
- Posts: 1316
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- Car: Nissan Maxima 1995 VQDE engine
Re: Coil pack bolt (melted_ice)
Yeah I twisted off a valve cover bolt. The tough part is to haveenough room to drill on the bolt. You might need a smaller drill, and since this isnt a bolt that is supposed to be torqued in real tight, you might get it out pretty fast.
I talked to an old guy at the hardware store (elliots). He saidthe best thing to do is to drill slow on the broken bolt and use a spray water bottle to keep the drilling cool. I also lightly tapped on the topof the broken bolt with a punch periodically to try to make a place for the screw extractor, keep the hole straight. and to loosen it up in the hole. He said if you get the broken bolt too hot it will temper the steel and make it too hard to take out. Dont be afraid to stop a lot and do the tappingto keep the hole straight and avoid drilling on the threads.
I did what he said.............and it worked!
You might take out another screw and show it to the hardware guyand see if they have a screw extractor that would work. If not, youmight have to drill the remainder of the bolt out with a larger drill bit,drill out the threads of the old bolt, and rethread(/retap threads) the hole to a larger bolt. Make sure the tap you are using is harder than the bolt.You might have to pay a little more for that but it will be worth it.
If you retap, just make sure the retapped bolt will go through the coil pack hole.
TAKE YOUr TIME. If you start cramping up with the drill, rest and go back to it later.
I talked to an old guy at the hardware store (elliots). He saidthe best thing to do is to drill slow on the broken bolt and use a spray water bottle to keep the drilling cool. I also lightly tapped on the topof the broken bolt with a punch periodically to try to make a place for the screw extractor, keep the hole straight. and to loosen it up in the hole. He said if you get the broken bolt too hot it will temper the steel and make it too hard to take out. Dont be afraid to stop a lot and do the tappingto keep the hole straight and avoid drilling on the threads.
I did what he said.............and it worked!
You might take out another screw and show it to the hardware guyand see if they have a screw extractor that would work. If not, youmight have to drill the remainder of the bolt out with a larger drill bit,drill out the threads of the old bolt, and rethread(/retap threads) the hole to a larger bolt. Make sure the tap you are using is harder than the bolt.You might have to pay a little more for that but it will be worth it.
If you retap, just make sure the retapped bolt will go through the coil pack hole.
TAKE YOUr TIME. If you start cramping up with the drill, rest and go back to it later.