I too have a stripped drain plug. Mine was fitted with a solid type of
insert, I don't know if it is a "Timesert" or what. I always use a
larger nylon washer under the stock drain plug. It is a Dorman part,
available at any good parts store. When a repair shop used a stock
copper washer, the insert unscrewed with the plug. After reinstalling
the insert with RED loctite, and using the nylon washer, I've had no
problems. Buy the nylon washer from your FLAPS and not your Local VW
parts dealer as they will mark them way up. I believe it is a 9/16" id
x 13/16 od washer. They are about 15 Cents apiece.
Dave Hally

--- Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:

> In a message dated 22/02/2007 12:09:17 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> 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, if it is a Helicoil  then it needs to be replaced with a
> Time-Sert.  If
> it's a Time-Sert then it  needs to be installed correctly so it will
> not come
> out with the drain  plug.  Looks like you first need to separate the
> insert
> from the drain plug  or better yet get a new OEM drain plug as the
> threads on
> yours may be  damaged.  Install or have installed a Time-Sert
> properly according
> to the  directions and you will have no further problems.  Helicoils
> do not
> work  well in this instance as they do not like to have the plug
> removed and
> replaced  as often as is needed with an oil drain plug.  Always,
> always use a new
>  copper crush gasket after removing the oil drain plug and replacing.
>  The
> copper gaskets can only crush and seal once !  The second time you
> try to
> tighten the plug to seal with an old gasket causes undue stress on
> the  threads as
> you try to tighten more to stop the oil leaking and then the threads
> become
> damaged.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
> (_Collection
> for  sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> _Frank Condelli &  Associates_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
> _Vanagon  Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW
> Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007
>