Yes, I found Time-Cert on Google last night, and agree it looks like a
great solution but the cost for a kit is quite a hurdle.  There is a
place near here that specializes in air-cooled VWs and buggys, I wonder
if they would be able to do this for me at a lower cost.

The other thing I considered was just retapping the hole, installing the
heli-coil, and then using a "suction" method to extract oil for future
changes and never have to open that drain plug again.  I don't know how
practical this is with the WBX motor; it is the recommended way to
change oil on many modern engines (probably in part to avoid this exact
problem).

Allan

Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@comcast.net> writes:

> Allan, since oil is such a critical component of engine life, a
> permanent and proper repair is in order.  I use Time-cert threaded
> inserts for my repairs and they work very well and eliminate the
> possibility of this happening again (you will have to strip out a
> piece of steel instead of aluminum).  However the Timesert kit costs
> over $100 so it is not very economical for a single repair.  In that
> case you can buy a heli-coil kit from Harbor Freight for less than
> $30.  What you are looking for is 14mm with a 1.5mm thread pitch.  The
> kit comes with a couple helicoils and the tools to do the job (you may
> have to buy a drill bit the proper size though).  Once you do this
> repair the right way you will never have to worry about it again.
> Losing your oil drain plug going down the road is a nightmare
> scenario.  Don't let it happen to you!
>
> If you need any parts please let me know.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>

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