Hi Guys,

This is the first time I've changed oil on this car, and I noticed the nuts holding the sump plate came off rather easily and that the holes for the bolts on the old filter were rather stretched. When I've tried to put the new filter on, it took some motivating (but not a huge amount), and then when I've put the nuts back on, one of them gets to a point where it tightens, and then you try and tigthen a little more, and it swings right around again.

I haven't determined yet whether it is the bolt or the nut that is threaded, but this is bad isn't it? The other five all seem fine, but I'm thinking that without a proper fix this will leak like a sieve.

Any suggestions as to how I might resolve this would be appreciated.

BTW the engine hasn't been eating oil, in fact it's been pretty good, but the bottom of the engine is quite slimy.

Thanks

Craig

Most likely stripped stud Craig. You'll have to check if it's just the stud where the nut screws on or actually stripped in the case.

Stripped stud or nut............ replace stud and nut.

Stripped case (1) Helicoil, (2) Timesert or (3) stepped stud.

Your choice. I can help with (1) and (3) anytime but (2) would be after next Thursday.

DH

Thanks Dallas,

I'll have a closer look tomorrow once I arm myself with some degreaser and a torch. I might try and take the camera down and gets some photos because then I can look at the results much more closely. The stupid thing is how far out of shape the stupid replacement filters are. The one that was in there was from Brazil and the one I had to replace it was empi (and yes, I really should have known better)

Cheers
Craig

I'd better ask! Is it some aftermarket filter or the strainer under/on the case? Just so we are all on the same wavelength. I'm thinking that it is the M6 studs underneath holding the strainer plate to the case. Is this so? Those photos will answer that for us.

DH

I did the same thing the other week, got my mechanic to insert stepped studs cause i didnt wanna screw it up. Now my main seal is leaking. And as for the filter, ive always just rinsed my old one out and used it.

Well the good news is that it seems to be the nut that was threaded. I found another nut lying around from the engine I'm pulling apart and it seemed to go on OK. Oil was put in, car started up, and thus far (crossing fingers, toes, legs etc) nothing seems to be leaking. I will however be keeping a very close eye on it.

Thanks for the ideas and offers of help, I may yet need them.

Cheers
Craig

the VW engines are usually slimy.. lol

at least after a few thousand KMs..

Not sure what You have there...

replacing the oil strainer... gauze strainer...??

they are not normally replaced...

the nuts on the sump plate are not done up very tight..
just tight enough not to come loose or leak...

the new copper washers that come with the oil change gasket kit stop the leaks usually...

LEE