Oh no!, not again!

['88740GL]

I remember when i had a rather stubborn alternator bolt on my old car ( alternator was mounted as low as the oil pan) i soaked the bolt in WD40 for hours and i managed to snap the end of a ring spanner on that bolt....though i remember tightening that bolt 6 months before with that same spanner...

I just had an idea of using my breaker bar tyre wrench with a changable socket end but i shall wait until the weather improves

[baggy798]

Last time I changed the oil, I think I torqued it to 55NM, is that wrong?

[Oilydad]

If you ARE worried about a sump plug coming loose then there's an easy way to prevent it. I used to race motorcycles back in the 70's, and it was a track regulation in those days.

Next time you do an oil change, drill a small 1/16" hole right through one of the corners on the flat of the plug.

Then when you've done it up, you can thread a length of thin steel wire through it and attach it to anywhere convenient. There is then no way that the plug can unscrew.

[Toplights]

What most people dont do is, renew the copper washer on the plug.Its one of the most important parts of the job imo, as this provides the seal against oil leaks,there is absolutely no need to over tighten any bolt or nut on anything.
OD has given some very sound advice in his posts.I would add a torque wrench and home car maintenance, go hand in hand and are a most important tool, in my workshop.

[OldBlueVolvo]

Originally Posted by baggy798

Last time I changed the oil, I think I torqued it to 55NM, is that wrong?

Well, I would have thought that 55Nm was a bit high, however, I have checked my green manual and the torque spec on B200/230 sump plugs is 60Nm.

['88740GL]

hopefully sometime this week, i shall see if the weather is good enough to try and get that sump plug out and change the tired mineral oil, as we all know, weather is up and down at the moment....

these fuel prices are killing me slowly... i need to try and tinker with the mixture CO as the exhaust stinks like a cold idling car.... i love this car, but she may be needing someone with a fatter wallet....

[OldBlueVolvo]

Originally Posted by '88740GL

hopefully sometime this week, i shall see if the weather is good enough to try and get that sump plug out and change the tired mineral oil, as we all know, weather is up and down at the moment....

these fuel prices are killing me slowly... i need to try and tinker with the mixture CO as the exhaust stinks like a cold idling car.... i love this car, but she may be needing someone with a fatter wallet....

I think being on your back under the car makes it harder to undo the plug. It took me three attempts before I managed it (although the first time I didn't have the right spanner). The longer the spanner, the better.

As for the exhaust emissions, if you like playing with the car then I recommend the 'Gunson Engine Analyser' aka 'gastester', which is primarily an exhaust CO meter. I paid over a hundred for mine a few years ago but they are a lot cheaper on ebay now! I use mine before the MOT but also after doing any work on the carb. I used to use my ear to adjust the idle speed and CO but the gastester is very useful.

['88740GL]

Originally Posted by OldBlueVolvo

I think being on your back under the car makes it harder to undo the plug. It took me three attempts before I managed it (although the first time I didn't have the right spanner). The longer the spanner, the better.

As for the exhaust emissions, if you like playing with the car then I recommend the 'Gunson Engine Analyser' aka 'gastester', which is primarily an exhaust CO meter. I paid over a hundred for mine a few years ago but they are a lot cheaper on ebay now! I use mine before the MOT but also after doing any work on the carb. I used to use my ear to adjust the idle speed and CO but the gastester is very useful.

I need to get hold of a wrench (3mm allen key tool that is 3 inches long) to reach the mixture screw, (something else my toolkit doesnt have) before i can go any further with emissions.. I'm going to try with the sump plug and get the oil changed too..

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by Oilydad

If you ARE worried about a sump plug coming loose then there's an easy way to prevent it. I used to race motorcycles back in the 70's, and it was a track regulation in those days.

Next time you do an oil change, drill a small 1/16" hole right through one of the corners on the flat of the plug.

Then when you've done it up, you can thread a length of thin steel wire through it and attach it to anywhere convenient. There is then no way that the plug can unscrew.

so its no just me that lockwires things.
its still a reg for racing now, and even more bits need lockwiring now,
the kits are cheap fortunatly , easy to use and once wire'd they aint falling off without some help