Need Help - Broken Oil Pan Bolt

5.0L Miata

Member

May 3, 2005

121

0

17

Ontario, Canada

Apr 2, 2008

#1

• Apr 2, 2008

• #1

Hey All,

I managed to break one of my oil pan bolts off while installing a new oil pan today. The rest are all torqued to spec, but of course the last one I go to tighten snaps off flush with the block.

I can try and helicoil it...or:

Any chance some JB weld would hold strong enough for me to back it out?

Any chance that the 10 remaining bolts on that side will be enough to stop the oil from leaking out? Just wondering if it was over-engineered or if all 11 bolts are needed to stop oil from leaking.

Thanks.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,016

1,613

194

NJ

Apr 2, 2008

#2

• Apr 2, 2008

• #2

I had a broken one on my car for 3 years, never leaked a drop.

If the engine is out of the car, i'd make my best effort to get the bolt out.
If it's in the car, i wouldn't go trying to kill myself to get it out.

 

5.0L Miata

Member

May 3, 2005

121

0

17

Ontario, Canada

Apr 2, 2008

#3

• Apr 2, 2008

• #3

Cool, it's out of the car so I'll see what I can do to get it out.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,016

1,613

194

NJ

Apr 2, 2008

#4

• Apr 2, 2008

• #4

Keep in mind too, my oil pan had these thick metal rails that the bolts went through. Don't know if they came on foxbodies, but the engine that was in my car was from a 95.
They definetely keep you from bending up the pan.

I also switched to a canton pan, still same broken bolt, no rails, no leaks.

 

Black1987Stang

Active Member

Aug 22, 2004

1,422

0

37

Jersey Shore

Apr 2, 2008

#5

• Apr 2, 2008

• #5

If you got those rails it would help more in your case and if it's one of the smaller 10mm? bolts I def wouldn't worry about it, the 4 outer ones I would assume are more vital for sealing but I wouldn't go crazy about it especially if you are using those rails.but If you want a set of those rails I got a set if you want em cheap just PM me.

 

5.0L Miata

Member

May 3, 2005

121

0

17

Ontario, Canada

Apr 2, 2008

#6

• Apr 2, 2008

• #6

Thanks guys.

Yes I do have those thick metal rails...both from an 88 and a 91 engine. It was a 10mm bolt that broke, I'm going to try and fix it...but if becomes a huge ordeal I'll just forget about it.

Thanks again.

 

Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet

Sep 17, 2005

2,867

2

58

Port Elgin, Ontario

Apr 2, 2008

#7

• Apr 2, 2008

• #7

weld a nut to it and let it cool (fill the whole center of the nut with weld)....wiggle it back and forth and turn it out like normal.

 

5.0L Miata

Member

May 3, 2005

121

0

17

Ontario, Canada

Apr 3, 2008

#8

• Apr 3, 2008

• #8

Roland69 said:

weld a nut to it and let it cool (fill the whole center of the nut with weld)....wiggle it back and forth and turn it out like normal.

Click to expand...

I'd love to, but I don't own a welder (or have easy access to one). Thus my question about JB weld. Would it hold enough to allow me to back the nut out?

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,016

1,613

194

NJ

Apr 3, 2008

#9

• Apr 3, 2008

• #9

I doubt the Jb weld will hold, if it was tight enough that you broke it trying to install or remove it, it's got to be in there pretty good.