fuel pump mounting fixings stripped...

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:47 pm

hi guys,

the fuel pump is bolted to the side of the battery tray with two bolts.

One of the bolts from mine is kind of cut off sharply at the end, making it a bit short.

It's clearly stripped the threads from inside the pump.

My plan is to loctite it in place to get through the MOT

and then do something to overhaul the unit and sort out the stripped thread inside the housing.

Is it feasible to try and repair the stripped thread in this way? without specialist tools?

Grateful as ever for any advice and tips!

wibble

Post by **les** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:05 pm

Maybe you could tap it out to the next convenient size if there is enough metal around the holes. 5/16 is the next size up. That way it's a proper job!

Post by **Packedup** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:25 pm

With all the work that's gone into your van, I'd be tempted to fit another pump rather than start having odd sized bolts in there. Doesn't worry me on the pickup, but that's because that's never going to be near perfect and is a quick save it from the idiots job.

I might be tempted to do some strange things with epoxy to reuse the correct bolt in what you've got, not sure it would work though!

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:29 pm

Packedup wrote:With all the work that's gone into your van, I'd be tempted to fit another pump rather than start having odd sized bolts in there.

Yeah, that's the long-term plan

I might be tempted to do some strange things with epoxy to reuse the correct bolt in what you've got, not sure it would work though!

Worth a go as a temporary measure - not got time (or tools) to try tapping etc for the first ever time! Thanks v much for the suggestion, though, les

Post by **Packedup** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:39 pm

I'm wondering...

If you greased the bolt first (the bolt you want to use, not the one that seems to have done the damage), then lined it up in the hole with just a trace of epoxy around it, would the grease stop everything glueing together, so the bolt can be undone again? That way you'd have a pretty reasonable thread to work with.

Probably some glaringly obvious reason it won't work, but just my late night musings

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:52 pm

Yes, an epoxy resin (the 'metal' epoxy putty is probably most suitable) can be used to repair stripped threads in aluminium. It's a bit of a bodge and won't be as strong as the original metal but it's quick and easy and should be good enough as a temporary measure to get you through the MOT and to the National where you can search for a better pump. It's worth carrying a spare working pump anyway, particularly if you are going on a long-distance road trip...

Post by **Alec** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:54 am

Hello Wibble,

there is a Helicoil type kit available called Recoil which is both easy and affordable. They are available in UNF and UNC sizes. Not sure if the pump is fine or coarse but it is a permanent fix. Have a look at :- http://www.toolfastdirect.co.uk/acatalo ... _Kits.html

Well worth having a range of sizes for those inevitable problems that happen at the worst possible times.

Alec

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:03 am

cheers, guys

all very very short of time here so will do whatever is fastest and involved least shopping trips!!! thanks very much for all your suggestions

*rushes back to van*

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:34 am

Certainly don't use Loctite! I would first drill the hole to clear out any old thread etc then fill the hole with 'metal epoxy' (Poundland sell it!) and when fully cured - drill and tap a new thread. It's easy and will be permanent.

Post by **MarkyB** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:22 pm

You need to go easy tightening up bolts that thread into alloy especially when you are using a socket wrench.
If you think of how long the spanner would be and just grip the ratchet about there just using wrist power and not pulling on it as hard as you can you won't strip threads and things won't fall off.
I use the socket on the starting handle to do up my wheel nuts and although I do give it a good pull its a very short lever.
Even so the wheels don't fall off

There are only a few things on a Minor you need to put some grunt into.
The crankshaft pulley and the head bolts spring to mind.

Post by **Willie** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:06 pm

The 'Helicoil' system works a treat but you need to find a workshop which
has the kit. It will be a simple job for them to insert a new thread.