Ed;

Next time you change oil, prepare yourself with a new helicoil and
some heavy-duty high-heat threadlocker. Clean the threads in the pan
with brake cleaner. Try not to get more in the pan than you have to
to clean the threads. Lube the threads with Loc-tite and install the
helicoil insert. After that sets up, your plug should operate normally.

Jim

On Feb 21, 2007, at 8:23 PM, Ed Wiebe wrote:

> I come to the list with a problem and hopefully a solution.
> The last few times I have changed the oil, when I remove the oil
> drain plug I get the plug left in a Helicoil.  In other words the
> helicoil or time sert unscrews with the drain plug.  I managed to
> get a plastic type washer over the helicoil thing and have put that
> back in.  The drain plug is so tight in the helicoil that I can't
> separate the two.
> The helicoil with the drain plug and washer can be screwed back in,
> but there are always a few drops of oil on my driveway after a drive.
> I'm sure it is just a matter of time before the helicoil will strip
> the thread in the block and that's not a good thing!
> What is the best way to proceed to get a permanent solution?
>
> Ed Wiebe
> 1990 Westfalia
>