sump plug thread

Fl@pper

Back older greyer and less oilier but always hope
Jun 19, 2001
12,368
25
Gloucester
tell em theres more than a few cars out that have had a hell of a lot more oil changes than 6 and wear and tear is a fob off

its ripped it out cos its been tightened up too much in the first place

its their problem not warranty or customer services

stand ya ground bro
 

michaeltimmis

Guest
I too was told my threads were getting pretty knackered at its service 2 months ago! And sure enough last week I started to find very small drops of oil on my drive way! Took it back to the dealers to get them to address the issue, but was told I needed a new sump!! With fitted cost of £230! Decided this was a bit steep to basically block a hole and stop oil coming out! So I found an engine servicing company (Lyndale Engines in Peterborough)! They put an insert into the sump where the knackered threads were and now it's as good as new, but for only £60!

So don't listen to the dealers, they are just trying to shaft you!!
 
Jul 23, 2008
720
0
Manchester - UNITED
The sump nut is just that a nut! If the thread is knackered in the sump then tell them to run a tap through it for f*** sake! like 20mins to take sump off and do it!
Ive done oil changes on cars that are over 100,000 miles that are still on original sump with perfect threads.
Whoever took it out last time has over tightened it or cross threaded it WITH AN AIRGUN FOR SURE!

I hate reading stuff like this, and it makes me feel so fortunate to have all the tools and ramps to do it all myself :D Just get main services done by a friend to get my book stamped.

Hope you get it sorted anyway mate (fingers crossed)
 

michaeltimmis

Guest
The sump nut is just that a nut! If the thread is knackered in the sump then tell them to run a tap through it for f*** sake! like 20mins to take sump off and do it!
Ive done oil changes on cars that are over 100,000 miles that are still on original sump with perfect threads.
Whoever took it out last time has over tightened it or cross threaded it WITH AN AIRGUN FOR SURE!

I hate reading stuff like this, and it makes me feel so fortunate to have all the tools and ramps to do it all myself :D Just get main services done by a friend to get my book stamped.

Hope you get it sorted anyway mate (fingers crossed)

Yes I know it :censored: me off too, hence finding an alternative, and cheaper way of getting the car sorted!

Just wish I had the access, time and knowledge to do some of these things myself...like you said.
 

keefy

Active Member
Dec 4, 2006
344
0
I take it they have actually removed the plug? If so, I would ask them to replace it as best as possible, chuck some oil in it and then take it somewhere else telling them that they have just lost your business.

As mentioned above, there are heaps of ways to resolve this without just bunging a whole new sump in! Even if it does genuinely need a new sump, I wouldn't get it done there.....I'd find a local independent who will actually value your custom and stick with them....
 

michaeltimmis

Guest
I take it they have actually removed the plug? If so, I would ask them to replace it as best as possible, chuck some oil in it and then take it somewhere else telling them that they have just lost your business.

As mentioned above, there are heaps of ways to resolve this without just bunging a whole new sump in! Even if it does genuinely need a new sump, I wouldn't get it done there.....I'd find a local independent who will actually value your custom and stick with them....

Yes, I did exactly that...told the dealer to put it back together and drove it round the corner to get it sorted!

I thought it was useful to post my experience, incase someone else comes across it! As, it does seem to be pretty wide spread :headhurt:
 
Jul 23, 2008
720
0
Manchester - UNITED
Good man for posting up whats happened!
So many people get done like this all the time because the garage wont admit theyve broke it or just want maximum cash and minimum effort!

Dan
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,967
1,059
South Scotland
One thing I have noticed with replacement VAG sump plugs, is, that quite a lot of them have damaged threads when new - by damaged I mean thread peaks slightly crushed - as though after manufacture they were badly handled. Now this will not cause much of a problem with a steel sump - but it will tear the thread up a bit on the aluminium ones. I got a really bad one once so fitted it (after cleaning the thread up a bit with a swiss file) into my daughter's Ibiza as it has a steel sump. Since then I've examined them very carefully - before leaving the parts desk! In fact, one that was being sold on ebay was pictured with this type of damage showing!
 

Skisbp

Full Member
Had a similar thing happen... Think it was on the 3rd or 4th service though. Returned from the service just to find a slow leak the next morning. Called my service manager, watched it for a few more days. Then brought it back as it was still dripping. Turns out the grease monkey whom put things back together forgot to change the sump plug. Causing overtightening... They ended up sending the whole lower end of the sump out for re-tapping at a specialty engine shop. Of course at their expense!!!
 

hopper

Full Member
May 7, 2005
163
0
stoke-on-trent
i had a sump strip its thread on a golf at work 2day and its not the 1st, on removing it you could tell it wasnt right but i believe its caused from reusing the old sump plug and them been over tightened. ive done cars with over 100,000 miles and never had probs, on the other hand there have been low mileage cars which have stripped, they are a poor idea and easily damaged

easiest cure remove sump and helicoil, job done and should never have another problem