[earossi]

The further that I get into my new 93 coupe, the more I find that is subpar in the way of mechanics. The car has a rebuilt tranny in it, and I climbed under her today to change out the trans fluid. There is a "blue" hardened material around the drain plug. Sure looks like blue Loctite to me. And, I have not been able to break the drain plug loose. I tried a 1/2" breaker bar with an 18" cheater on it, and only managed to put a little bit of twist in the allen head socket. So, I have an order in for a Snap-on allen head socket; but, I am beginning to wonder why someone would locktite the plug in place unoless they had stripped the threads, so I have several questions.



First, can anyone suggest a way to break the drain plug loose? Would it help to put a little heat on the plug? I have a MEPS torch which isn't a lot of heat, but would give it a try if someone has used heat before. Or, could I drill out the plug?



Second, if the case threads have been stripped, what is the fix? Can I helicoil something like that? Or, is there some sort of kit out there to perform that type of repair?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rustech]

Yes, heat is a great way to break down blue loctite. Take your torch to it.

Turning it clockwise just a bit before unscrewing it also helps free it but don't over do it.

A Helicoil could definitely be used, but it shouldn't come to that.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968rz]

+1 on the heat but be careful not to melt any material.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[xrad]

remove muffler, remove driver side axle bolts, drop axle, remove the 12? trans cover bolts. Remove cover and deal with it on the bench....

you can also check the magnet and the ring and pinion for gross wear. Careful, the diff is heavy!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[josephsc]

[quote name='earossi' post='53364' date='May 26 2008, 06:59 PM']I am beginning to wonder why someone would locktite the plug in place unoless they had stripped the threads, so I have several questions.[/quote]I have to think that there is a reason for the locktite on it in the first place. FWIW, I have a 944 tranny that was dropped at one point onto concrete -- and the landing created a crack along the threads since the drain plug happens to be near the bottom. I patched it using JB Weld and recreated bits of the thread -- it's not perfect and drips on occasion, but has held for the past three years.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[earossi]

[quote name='josephsc' post='53452' date='May 27 2008, 11:45 PM']I have to think that there is a reason for the locktite on it in the first place. FWIW, I have a 944 tranny that was dropped at one point onto concrete -- and the landing created a crack along the threads since the drain plug happens to be near the bottom. I patched it using JB Weld and recreated bits of the thread -- it's not perfect and drips on occasion, but has held for the past three years.[/quote]



I have the same thoughts. But, over the years, I have seen plenty of shoddy workmanship that defies logic when you try to answer the question: "Why did they do it this way?"



There does not appear to be any sort of crack indication around the plug. My thoughts are that somehow they stripped the drain plug threads. Or, as idiotic as it sounds, some bozo may have used loctite instead of a gasket! But, what really bothers me is wondering just how many other bolts the same guy wrenched while he had the car.



In the end, I've got to do whatever repair is necessary to allow for the changing of trans fluid.



I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[xrad]

sorry, missed that it was the 'drain' plug not the fill plug.....



anyway, if you do have to drill it and re-thread, you can still remove cover to clean out metal bits...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.