Torque wrenches - great piece of kit... NOT!!!

Message

dyzio · #1 Post by **dyzio** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:59 pm

Long story short,

I've managed to snap the magnetic drain plug (7)

Number 4 on the pic below:

Looks like I've been sold a fecked torque wrench...

I have a crazy vision to try and attempt doing this myself... centre punch - small drill - bigger drill - easy out... just doubt my mechanics skills at the moment...
Maybe it would be better to push it to the local garage (100m) and have it done...

A new plug will cost me 15 quid delivered, just wondering if I could "demand" some sort of refund from the place I got I got the bloody thing...

Already found a new drain plug in ultimate parts, just wondering if anyone knows a quicker place to get one (don't fancy taking the bus for long).

dyzio · #2 Post by **dyzio** » Mon May 11, 2009 8:05 pm

Crappy mobile pics:

Samray · #3 Post by **Samray** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:06 pm

Looks like you rapped a knuckle too when it went.

dyzio · #4 Post by **dyzio** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:15 pm

Yeah, a bit...

Had a second look at it and it looks a bot better... the remaining bit has a nice concave (sorry, my english fails me here), and a small point like from a centre punch.

The problem is, that the acess to it is blocked by the hose...
Can I undo the two marked bolts worry free? Then I would have enough room for a drill.

Falcopops · #5 Post by **Falcopops** » Mon May 11, 2009 9:54 pm

Easier to leave the bolts in place and remove the hose. Replace the crappy clips with a jubilee clip.

However, what are you intending to do? Drilling right through bolt is likely to drop some metal into the oil. This bolt is notoriously tight (like I need to tell you!) so easy out's are not likely to do the job, more likely to snap off and make things worse. Not really helping much, but beware of the pitfalls.

Local garage may be the way to go, right tools for the job and all that, but I'd be asking them how they were going to do it and stressing the need to avoid metal in the oil.

That's the oil pipe to the oil tank so be prepared for a bit of oil coing out. If you've just changed the oil that would be a pain.

If you're taking the pipe off I'd take the other end off the oil tank and clean the screen too while you're at it. I used plumbers tape (PTFE) on the threads when replacing the pipe union and another jubilee clip for the pipe.

dyzio · #6 Post by **dyzio** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:07 pm

Cheers, haven't thought of replacing just the hose clip.
The engine has no oil in at the moment. Will call the garage in the morning.

Okamoto · #7 Post by **Okamoto** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:24 am

please ...If you buy a torque wrench make sure it comes with a calibration certificate .... you'll probably have to spend a few more pennies.
go for Britool or Norbar if you can.
I used to calibrate them, ...my mates used to bring me wrenches for a "quick check" ....most of them were way out of spec !!....especially the cheaper ones.

Chabby · #8 Post by **Chabby** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:12 am

I assume you were putting the plug in?

If not, was it hard to get out 'cos I've just destroyed the hex hole in mine trying.

I've bought a new one at my local dealers for £8 in anticipation of getting it out and he recommended putting a washer on it - good idea or bad?

All thoughts welcome.

dyzio · #9 Post by **dyzio** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:17 am

Just ordered a new one...
And yes, it was difficult to take it out, but it snapped when I was tightening it.

Ok, 20 minutes longer and the garage opens...

bluedimension · #10 Post by **bluedimension** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:36 am

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I haven't got any other advice to offer than has already been given. As you have a garage nearby I would think that is the more suitable option.

Good luck.

Blue

Fausto · #11 Post by **Fausto** » Tue May 12, 2009 2:11 pm

dyzio wrote: And yes, it was difficult to take it out, but it snapped when I was tightening it.

It's my guess that the bolt was weakened when you removed it. I wonder if this ought to be a lesson to all of us that having a new bolt ready to replace one that is proving difficult to remove is a good move.

I don't remember there being much torque needed when refitting this bolt so (assuming I am wrong about the weakened bolt) are you sure you set the torque wrench correctly? It's easy to mix up the scales.

Good luck with the removal.

Fausto · #12 Post by **Fausto** » Tue May 12, 2009 2:13 pm

BTW... what's that you are holding on your finger? It doesn't look like the magnetic bolt head to me.

dyzio · #13 Post by **dyzio** » Tue May 12, 2009 2:16 pm

Thanks.
Luckily ultimateparts had 1 in stock, so it's on its way to me.
The local garage is to busy to look at it, but gave me the details of a company that specialises in this kind of stuff.
Already spoken with them, but they can't tell me anything unless they see it, so I'm paying the a visit tomorrow.

Fausto wrote:BTW... what's that you are holding on your finger? It doesn't look like the magnetic bolt head to me.

yes, that's it.
2nd pic is with the hex bit, 3rd is the head alone, the rest is in the engine.

bluedimension · #14 Post by **bluedimension** » Tue May 12, 2009 4:34 pm

Well I've just got all my service parts delivered and was about to start with the oil change. This will make me a little more cautious particularly as I am using a torque wrench from MachineMart/Screwfix (can't remember which).

This will be the first time I have serviced the bird since I have owned her, so I'll take my time and not rush the job.

Here goes.

Blue.

Nooj · #15 Post by **Nooj** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:16 pm

You didn't get your foot-pounds mixed up with your Newton-metres did you?

Pain in the arse sheared bolts and screws are, hope it's fixed painlessly.