redcivicforever

hey does anyone think that a self tapping plug would get me by temporarily with my stripped pan?...I'm swapping engines anyway by January 05', but I'll need an oil change or two while I'm saving for this ordeal so do ya think a self tapping screw would get me by until then?

Kai

You don't want to use a self-tapping screw. First, I have no idea where to get one big enough. Secondly, they cut their own threads when screwing them in, obviously. That will put some nasty metal shavings in your oil which could destroy the engine very fast.

redcivicforever

Its a good thing I asked before I ruined my car worse than it is already, thanks for saving my engine...do you have any suggestions to make it last until I get the other engine so I can still change the oil until then? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Since I know you've helped me before on other threads I posted and seem very knowledgable...I was hoping you could tell me what you think of me having my stock 91' civic hatch dx 1.5 engine swapped for a used (70,000 miles on it) 93 vtec 1.6 engine. I'm told its a better engine than what I have and more powerful. I was told its not a major modification and the guy doing it said its an easy job for him...

I C Hondas!!!

One of the many draw backs with Honda oil pans is a weakness of the theads for the oil pan drain pluggs. They lack integrity for the long haul and the "Jiffy Lube" catches the blame. There are actually several ways to approach the delima: 1) TSB fix Timesert offers a kit that actually add a new thread and runs about $70.00 for the tap and several inserts. You can get a small size drain plug for the pan at Honda and they should know if you tell them you used a timesert. I've used them with marginal sucess. 2) Here in Bremerton Washington Honda we have a Tech that refurbishes used pans by welding in a nut with better threads. $70.00 and your old pan as a core. I think it is a better of the two options if available. One other thing to keep in mind is that on both the oil and tranny drain plugs Honda uses aluminum washer for the "crush" factor to seal. They are cheap and ensure a good leak proof seal. Good luck.

redcivicforever

Thanks for the help...
I went to the local honda specialist, they used a special tool to rethread my exsisting pan and new plug kit for it. They said its fine now and it only cost $65.00 bucks including a maxlife oil change and filter .
Do you know if there's something common about leaky rings on 91 civic hatches or anything like that? I was told there is and I don't know if its true or not.

jeterkm02

My oil pan has a stripped thread as well ...in my case, the drain plug grabbed about 2 threads at most, so I doubled up on washers and added an o ring. I havent had any leaks for over 2months now. But, on the other hand, its not that reliable, as there is always the possibility that it could come loos.