Nuts in the oil pan are broken!

I have an Audi A3, manufactured in 1999, with AHF specifications, and I've had all the service work done at a specialist workshop until recently. During my last oil change, I noticed that the locking screw in the oil pan wouldn't tighten properly (the mechanics at the "specialist workshop" had to do some work again! ). This weekend, it happened again – the screw now won't come out at all. Although everything is still sealed, and I can at least drive around, I'd like to know what type of thread is in the oil pan. First, I'll try a thread reducer. Does anyone know what type of thread it is? (metric or pipe thread? size?)

Thanks for the answers
MFG

New oil pan, ready to go.

Everything else will take more time and is just shoddy workmanship.

Best regards,
m;

a properly installed helicoil (or similar) lasts much longer than the rest of the vehicle ;-)

When I hear the words 'oil pan' and 'seal', I always get a phobia.... (here, the smiley with the hammer is missing)

CU Gremlin

I already know that I can replace the entire oil pan. However, I could repair it cost-effectively since I work in a machine-building company. But, I need to know what type of thread is in the pan first. And since I need the car constantly, I can't just look at it and then buy the parts. Maybe someone knows about this miracle?

Once again, a case of 'if it fits, it sits'? ;)

You can forget about gluing the threads in – it will never hold properly in the long run.

If you work in a machine-building company, the only affordable solution for me is to cut a new, larger thread and screw it in. But for the sake of the shavings, I would definitely remove and verschandeln the oil pan. In that case, you can also install a new one.

How about requesting the new oil pan from the friendly oil change specialist? They probably have too much power left.

I still have an old oil change wrench at home, it's from ALH. I'll measure it and post the results.

Hello,

For tapping, the oil pan needs to be removed anyway due to the shavings. I would already order the oil pan gasket. I wouldn't want to drill anything out or use Helicoil, but simply use a larger screw. The choice will depend on the available taps. An oil pan can't cost a fortune, maybe someone could post an approximate price.

Best regards,
Christian

wbuchi82 hat folgendes geschrieben:

I already know that I can replace the entire oil pan. However, I could repair it cost-effectively since I work in a machine-building company. But, I need to know what type of thread is in the pan first. And since I need the car constantly, I can't just look at it and then buy the parts. Maybe someone knows about this miracle

Hello!

Prices at VW for my Golf 3 with engine code: AHU:
Oil pan ~65 Euro
Seal ~25 Euro
Screw ~1 Euro

I had inquired about these prices last week and I believe they were approximately these amounts. The prices for the AHF may be slightly different, but probably not significantly so.

Best regards,
Private

Hi,
in terms of cost and time, repairing it would definitely be the best option. However, my first question is: where does the sealing screw fit against the basin, and where does the sealing ring sit? If the repair insert then interferes with that area, the issue is already solved. Then, the only option would be a larger screw, but the oil basin would need to have enough flat surface for it. (I don't know the engine)

So, if the original drain screw is still in place, it's not a problem to install a larger one.

At work, we have specialized tools for this: a drill and a tap.

When drilling, please drill at a 90-degree angle, otherwise it won't work.

And sometimes the aggregate support is in the way, which makes it difficult to get a straight line.
Unless you have a right-angle drill.

Hi,

So, if the screw was damaged by the workshop in the past, I would bring it back to the workshop this time. Then they will probably have to do something about it. If the bathtub or something else appears on the invoice, you can ask about the cause or the person responsible. If the workshop damages something during service, they are usually liable and must repair it.

If you do it yourself, it will probably cost more than an oil change at the workshop.

Greetings

Eike

Hi,

So, if the screw was damaged by the workshop in the past, I would bring it back to the workshop this time. Then they will probably have to do something about it. If the bathtub or something else appears on the invoice, you can ask about the cause or the person responsible. If the workshop damages something during service, they are usually liable and must repair it.

If you do it yourself, it will probably cost more than an oil change at the workshop.

Greetings

Eike[/quote]

This is correct, but how will you prove that they were them, since the oil change was a while ago? They'll wriggle and try to pull out every last strand of hair just to avoid having the 'stupid' card.

Principally, I agree with you, but proving it will be difficult.

That's true, but how will you prove that they were the ones, since the oil change was a while ago? They'll argue and try to pull out every possible hair just to avoid having to pay the bill.
I agree with you in principle, but proving it will be difficult.

Hello,

So, if I understand correctly, they performed the last oil change. And that should be documented (service booklet, invoice, etc.). If, however, the threads are now damaged and they were the last ones to work on it, I find this situation clear.

Of course, it looks different if I was the last one to work on it.

Greetings,

Eike

Hello,

So, if I understand correctly, they performed the last oil change. And that should be documented (service booklet, invoice, etc.). If, however, the threads are now damaged and they were the last ones to work on it, I find this situation clear.

Of course, it looks different if you were the last one to work on it.

Best regards,

Eike

If he has now noticed that the screw is stripped, then there must have been at least one wrench involved. It should also have left fresh marks. Therefore, I think the entire documentation is useless. Even if that's not the case, I think the workshop will try to wriggle out of it and make up some other excuse.

Hi,

I think you're probably right. I also overlooked the fact that he had already made the last change himself. According to the workshop, this could only have happened during the last service :(

A regrettable situation. Perhaps he should have complained about it immediately.

Best regards,

Eike

Hi! Thanks for all the responses!

So, the fact that I can claim the workshop's costs, even though they were actually at fault, doesn't work because I only noticed the problem with the thread on the last occasion. Specifically, when I tried to tighten the screw again after the oil change and felt no resistance, it was already too late to make a claim. Well, now I've received a repair kit from my workshop. It includes a self-cutting thread insert, a new screw, and sealant (for €32, by the way). I'm going to take a look at it today. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Best regards,