Using HeliCoil Kit for stripped oil pan, help please!!

2007 BMW 530xi


Hello All,

I've been changing my own oil since we purchased our BMW a few years ago, having serviced my own vehicles for decades. Anyhow, I never felt confident about the oil pan threads (seemed scuffed) and had a very difficult time with the last oil change....

The car recently began leaving a few oil drops in our garage and as it was time to change again, I went ahead and did so. However, when I tried reinstalling the oil drain plug it just kept turning.

There isn't a sufficient amount of oil pan threads to torgue the drain plug. Anyhow, BMW wants $1,600.00 to fix so I've elected to go with a HeliCoil kit.

1) I will be doing the repair with the oil pan in-tact. Any suggestions on keeping metal shaving out of the pan or removing? I will flush a few times with oil before final oil change.

2) How can I break off and remove the HeliCoil "tang" without losing it into the oil pan?

Thanks,
Ralph

A helicoil is not a good choice in this situation. If you want a repair that is going to hold up I suggest this http://www.timesert.com/html/drainplug.html.