stripped oil pan bolt, how screwed am I ??

[castro]

I did the whole oil pan removal, engine jacked up thing tonight. Took forever and sucked,' I was putting it all back together and accidentally stripped out on of the bolts holding the oil pan up. I felt it start to go so I just stopped. Its in there, but probably not as snug as it should be. Its one of the two that are in the rear section. between the pan and the transmission.

How screwed am I?? Am I gonna leak everywhere?? Did I fix the oil seal leak just to create another?

And whats involved to get it fixed? The SOHC is a rebuild with only 5000 miles on it. Does it cost alot or do they just tap in a new thread width and put a wider bolt in?? I dont have any experience with fixing stripped bolts

thanks

[AZhitman]

C - You're ok, don't stress.

If you sealed the pan good, it'll be fine, the pan lip is rigid enough it can go without a bolt or two.

You can get a tap and re-tap the hole later if you like - it's pretty easy, just lubricate the tap, thread it in gently, and run it in and out of the hole several times.

To find the proper tap, take a spare oil pan bolt with you to Ace Hardware, they have a great selection of taps / dies. Buy a new bolt there as well - the one that stripped the hole might be damaged.

But for now, I'm sure it's fine - I'd bet $ it won't leak (if you did a good job with the RTV).

[castro]

thanks man!!

I have avoided going to star bucks this morning because I have been so nervous about the pan. Im 30, and that project made my body so damn sore! Who would have thought a oil pan was a all day event.

[AZhitman]

No problem, brother - that's what we're here for.

If we had known about your "project", we probably could have made it a liittle easier.

Welcome aboard, enjoy the forums.