Tim,

Time sert is the best.  Use them all the time for this repair.  Stronger
than original once done.  Over sized causes problems with bigger head on
drain plug having less clearance in recessed hole.  Had to service a few of
these and they are a pain.  Plus they can easily be stripped out again.
Time sert cant.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
On Mar 9, 2012 11:32 PM, "Tim Englund" <tim.englund@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello List,
>
> Well, it's getting warmer in the Northwest so I'm working on Zola - my
> '89 Vanagon I purchased last fall just in time to put in storage for
> the winter. Well, when I took out the oil drain plug for the first
> time, threads came out with it. Damn. I had thought enough were left
> to still hold to plug securely, but I was wrong. It leaks now....
>
> I did some research on the internet and found some sites (like Go
> Westy) that recommended inserting a helicoil. Then, however, I spoke
> with an old-time mechanic and he said no, use a slightly larger
> self-tapping plug instead. I went to Napa and found one for $3.
> There's a problem, however, and I haven't installed it yet because the
> rubber washer and the plug's shoulders are too wide to fit snuggly
> into the inset where the old washer and plug sat. Is there another
> type I should be looking at? What does the collective wisdom of the
> list recommend? If I went the helicoil route, I'd probably have to
> have a pro do the work.
>
> Any help is appreciated!
> Tim Englund
>