Help! Broken WP bolt with jagged edge - best method of drilling out?
#16
Thanks! Haha, yes, the Porsche Active Corrosion Protection System (tm) has been working overdrive, plenty of cleaning to do. Trying to strike a balance between scrubbing but also not getting debris in delicate areas until the motor is closed up again. I started this job because it had been 5 years since the last timing belt, but once I dove deeper, it seems that everything that could possibly leak oil is doing just that. So, it's getting all of the while-you're-in-there stuff I can manage, including seals, sandblasting and refinishing of crusty parts, new hardware, hose clamps, etc. She'll never be a concours winner, but hopefully I end up with a solid driver at the end.
#17
Yeah, looks like they put in a timesert or something similar with a counterbore flange. Probably made of steel, I was surprised at how corroded it was. Threads seem fine though, so it stays for now. I'm guessing they had multiple bolt deaths on the last WP job and only got one out successfully.
#18
Nice work, glad to hear it worked out.
Not sure what process you used to clean out the hole but at work we have refillable plastic spray bottles with your typical adjustable spray nozzle. I use Isopropyl alcohol, Naptha or degreasers with water to clean out thread holes all the time. This is when installing new hardware or inserts or painting parts. It works very well and I have found when it comes to painting it does a better job than compressed air alone. Hundreds of threads on the stuff I work on....it's just become habit with any of this type of thing. It always surprises me just when you think threads are cleaned out.....spray in more liquid and out comes more crud.
Not sure what process you used to clean out the hole but at work we have refillable plastic spray bottles with your typical adjustable spray nozzle. I use Isopropyl alcohol, Naptha or degreasers with water to clean out thread holes all the time. This is when installing new hardware or inserts or painting parts. It works very well and I have found when it comes to painting it does a better job than compressed air alone. Hundreds of threads on the stuff I work on....it's just become habit with any of this type of thing. It always surprises me just when you think threads are cleaned out.....spray in more liquid and out comes more crud.
#19
When I have a badly rusted bolt in a vertical surface like this, I build a little 'dam' on the surface from plumbers putty (sorta like modeling clay) and fill it with penetrating oil. Make the dam like a swallows nest on a cliffside and make sure that it's top is high enough to completely submerge the bolt in penetrant. Let the penetrant set overnight. If you come out and find that the penetrant is gone, you know that it has all soaked into the threads. Repeat the cycle until you are sure that it has had enough. Then try to unscrew or drill out the broken bolt.
I have found this to work much better than just spraying penetrant on a broken bolt in a vertical surface only to have most of it just run off on the floor. I have removed some really badly rusted stubs this way.
I have found this to work much better than just spraying penetrant on a broken bolt in a vertical surface only to have most of it just run off on the floor. I have removed some really badly rusted stubs this way.
#20
That is a dam great idea. Thanks for that one!!!!
When I have a badly rusted bolt in a vertical surface like this, I build a little 'dam' on the surface from plumbers putty (sorta like modeling clay) and fill it with penetrating oil. Make the dam like a swallows nest on a cliffside and make sure that it's top is high enough to completely submerge the bolt in penetrant. Let the penetrant set overnight. If you come out and find that the penetrant is gone, you know that it has all soaked into the threads. Repeat the cycle until you are sure that it has had enough. Then try to unscrew or drill out the broken bolt.
I have found this to work much better than just spraying penetrant on a broken bolt in a vertical surface only to have most of it just run off on the floor. I have removed some really badly rusted stubs this way.
I have found this to work much better than just spraying penetrant on a broken bolt in a vertical surface only to have most of it just run off on the floor. I have removed some really badly rusted stubs this way.