Johnny_law

I am doing an oil change and planned on adjusting/calibrating my level sender to the gauge. Removing the six nuts, the two center nuts loosened and then the studs began spinning. Can't remove or retighten not sure how to proceed.

Johnny_law

Sorry can't send pictures getting parse errors

Quadcammer

hmm, I don't recall how the studs go in there.

Worst case, dremel a slot into the stud, hold it with a flat head screwdriver while you loosen and tighten the nuts.

That said, I was pretty sure the studs were solidly attached to the tank.

Johnny_law

The others are. I think the weld are broken on the two studs. I will do what you said to get it back together

Thanks Quad.

Johnny_law

Can't seem to get a good enough grip as the studs broke loose was the nuts were close to the end of the stud. They are mechanical lock nuts so they grip the stud tightly.

Was going to drive about 240 miles to give my Dad a first ride in a Porsche for his birthday. Now I'm not sure if I can of oil can leak out through the loose studs.

I'm really bumbed.

mpruden

The gasket may hold back the oil. Have you tried to just snug up the remaining 4 and see if you have any leaks? I bet 4 of the bolts will keep the seal tight enough if the metal doesn't bend.

NYC993

Exactly. Oil level should be at or below the openning.

And if a little sips through not a big deal.

NC TRACKRAT

Have you got any JB Quik Weld? Clean up with a degreaser or alcohol around the stud bases. Use a toothpick to place a small amount of mixed JB Quik around the bases of the two studs that are spinning. Give it time to set up. Use plain nuts rather than locknuts on those two so they will draw up easier, hopefully without breaking the JB Quik bond.

vincer77

Nope. Ask me how I know.

nathan1

Johnny- I feel terrible that this issue has cropped up... Let me take that junker off your hands by offering a full refund...

Garth S

Wedge a flat blade screwdriver under the loosened nut and pry outwards as the nut is turned - that should anchor the broken weld: if space allows, a single wrap of fine wire will secure the stud from dissapearing .... then, spin on a standard nut ( without pushing the stud into the reservoir ) . Slot the end or clamp with vise grips, tighten, and spin on a second nut.

NYC993

How do you know?
Iirc the the end of dip stick is below the opening...but it may have been the time when I was a quart or 2 low on oil.

Mike J

The oil level is above the sender unit by a bit when the oil is about 1/2 up the stick - I know because I recently adjusted a sensor and dropped about 1/2 litre of oil when removing the sensor.

Do you need another trick? Take a 8mm nut that matches the stud, cut it in half with a hacksaw, and then use that with a set of narrow nose vice grips to grip the stud below the nut that is stuck. Due to the space made by the hacksaw blade, the vice grips can grab the stud but still not hurt the threads - then unscrew the nut. Use new nuts with no locking, and you can use the same method to hold the stud in place when tightening.

Its possible that 4 would hold it in place anyways - this is one of those really over engineered parts!

Cheers,

Mike

techman1

Mike,

Great idea on splitting a nut to grip a stud....

Mike J

Thanks - I have never read about that one, it came from one of the scary parts of my brain ... :-)