snapped T'stat mounting stud.

[steve_k]

evening folks,

got stuck again.

went to change the gasket on the thermostat housing (T'stat housing to head) & when i started to tighten the nuts don on to the studs the top stud snapped,

worse thing is it snapped near enough flush with the head,
the other stud is fine though i might replace it just in case.

my plan of attack is to drill a smaller hole in the remains of the stud using either a 4mm drill bit or a centre drill bit (thanks to mart auto for the centre drill bits ) the use a screw/stud extractor to remove the remains then run a tap down the hole to clean it up.

also i have some helicoils if needed.

but, i was planning to leave the T'stat housing in place to use as a guide so to keep the drill bit in place/line with the remainder of the broken stud.

would that work?/be a good idea??

i don't fancy having to remove the head as i have not long replaced the cam belt, water pump & head gasket & don't fancy having to do all that again,

so, will my above plan work??

anyone know?

thanks in advance.

[Cloggy Saint]

I'm not speaking from experience but it seems like a sound idea to me.

[steve_k]

I'm not speaking from experience but it seems like a sound idea to me.

thats what i'm hoping.

[aimlessrock]

had to do something simliar when one of the bolts fastening the water pump on mine sheared- again near flush.

steady hand and take your time-i used an air drill.

[steve_k]

been thinking about an air drill, might pop out & get one today.

[Steve]

We've all been there, that's the way I tackled the job as well.

[steve_k]

We've all been there, that's the way I tackled the job as well.

i feel you pain all was going so well till this happened,

loath to remove the head again as it's all a fresh build, headgasket, bolts etc the lot.

fingers crossed it all goes well, as hoping to be spraying the car on Thursday.

[martauto]

Steve, (cheers for that mate) grab hold of a decent centre puch and take your time to find the actual centre of the stud.
This is important because what you see may not be the centre due to the thread overlapping in places.
Give it a good thump with a proper hammer mate, then use the centre drill and pilot drill and then "tease" it out carefully with the stud extractor. Loads of penetrating fluid (not wd40) after you "thump" it and very carefully "feel" what is going on.

Good luck mate.

Mart.

[steve_k]

Steve, (cheers for that mate) grab hold of a decent centre puch and take your time to find the actual centre of the stud.
This is important because what you see may not be the centre due to the thread overlapping in places.
Give it a good thump with a proper hammer mate, then use the centre drill and pilot drill and then "tease" it out carefully with the stud extractor. Loads of penetrating fluid (not wd40) after you "thump" it and very carefully "feel" what is going on.

Good luck mate.

Mart.

no worries dude, those drill bits have been a god send,

will be having a go at this tomorrow,
got a brand new centre punch & a 4lb lump hammer, have checked for the "true" centre of the stud, also the centre punch sits nicely in the bolt hole in the housing.
got some plusgas & a bit of "kroil" to try & help it on it's way.

fingers crossed for tomorrow.