I want to use one of these to stop the slow drip is causing. I got the quick instruction from the Honda parts guy, but anybody got any good tips, tricks, do's and don'ts for installing it so it's a permanent solution?

 

If you're in any way unsure, let a shop do it and take the liability.

If you still want to do it yourself then when you re-thread be sure to use lots and lots of lubrication. Also, work the threader in a little bit then back off, repeat until done. Take your time and do it right.

 

This thing isn't a tap/die type thing. That enlarging/rethreading process I am not going to try.

The dark piece is a sleeve that becomes the new drain hole. It's 14mm with a 12mm threaded center to hold the new 12mm bolt. The sleeve goes into the current drain hole coated with permanent thread sealant, which I guess loctite red will be best. Just wondering about things like how to ready the threads on the pan for the sleeve, how much loctite to use, etc. Anything better than loctite Red? Also is it best to take the pan off of the engine before installing the sleeve?

 

I wouldn't know about the sealant but, do know you need something temp resistant.

I'd run a threader through the pan threads just to get the best mating surface possible.

You want the area that the sealant is going to touch to be as free as possible of oil or debris. Do you think you can achieve that with the pan on the car?

 

Hey dude, my advice is just to replace the oil pan. It can be tedious cause there are a lot of bolts nuts, but if you just take ur time and do it right it's a lot better than possibly the oil somehow leaking out and ruining the engine. I assume if you are asking about pulling the pan this job won't be that hard for you.

just saying

 

Same as holmesnmanny said, replace oil pan. Also buy a oil pan gasket when replacing.

 

I installed the sleeve this afternoon with about 6 threads coated with Threadlocker High Temperature Red. So far so good. The sleeve is bound permanently into the old 14mm hole, and the new 12mm bolt fits perfectly into the sleeve. Absolutely no leaks. I see why Honda service techs use this process instead of trying to enlarge the stripped hole to accommodate a larger bolt. I did the job with the pan on the car.

 

My mechanic buddy said they used to just replace the oil pans. It is common for the threads to strip out after a while.

 

That seems to be the consensus here, too. Wish money had been right to go ahead and do it. Had to do the quick fix for now. I talked with another Accord owner today who has had this sleeve thing in his car for quite a while and hasn't had any issues at all. Guess I'll know next time I go to change the oil.

 

im betting that if its ok now you will be fine for ahwile(yes im quoting family guy). replacing the oil pan is just the permanent fix but a lot of time temporary fixes can work great

 

That sleeve thing is some kind of special steel. It looks galvanized. A magnet does attract it. I guess if its got a zinc coating on it that would make the thread sealant bind it even better. I sure couldn't budge it after letting it set up a few minutes. I also got the distinct feeling it will never budge.

 

oil pans should never strip if you hand tight it and just snug the plug...

 

I have used a Time-Sert repair on two stripped Honda oil pans with good results. They look about the same as the OPs original pic, only mine are shorter and are made specifically for this type of repair. They have held up for 3+ years and 5 or 6 oil changes. I guess you can consider them permanent, mine show no signs of loosening and they do not drip oil. I do use a new washer with every change just to make sure.

 

That's not zinc, zinc plated steel doesn't develop rust spots, if it was galvanized it would look similar to a chain link fence. That's carbon coating leftover from heat treating.

 

There is a FAR simpler solution to this. I work at Napa...get a self tapping single oversize drain plug. No pan removal, no sleeve and locktite, no extraneous steps. Just lube and SLOWLY install as if it were a normal tap.

 

I've heard mixed reviews on doing that. Some say it works, but only until the next time you remove it. Then it leaks when you tighten it back in again. While that oversized drain plug might be excellent steel, the oil pan also bites back while that plug is biting. That would mean that plug got a tiny bit smaller while it was making the drain hole a tiny bit bigger. Next time you go to install it there is no metal for it to bite this time, so it can't make a oiltight seal. At least that's my theory and another reason I bought the sleeve and stuff.

 

fair point. There are also piggy back plugs...bolt in a bolt.

 

what you should have done is ran a nut on the inside of the pan onto the new thread to keep it from backing out. JUST INCASE

 

Don't use that NAPA junk.. The TIME-SERT is a Honda recommended Repair. It is stocked at the dealership for Head bolt & Oil pan bolt repair. It's included in their online Training. You made a good choice buddy.

 

I knew sleeping at that Holiday Inn Express was a good choice!