406oc.co.uk

Any suggestions on how to deal with a threaded sump plug (hdi90), other than replacing the sump?

It's *fairly* tight now - think it'll survive being driven?

Smear lots of instant gasket silicon type stuff all round the plug and sump area to secure it for now.

Get yourself a helicoil kit, very simple to fit and are better than the original thread as they are steel.

Near me there are engineering companies who will come out and helicoil it on site.

i think this might be a job for my friendly local mechanic - hopefully going to need this car fixed and ready to drive by friday (provided the mrs passes her test of course) and i have no idea what size kit to get, or more importantly if i can even work in the garage for long enough before the cold take grip and i start dropping all my sodding tools all over the place again (just had to tension the cambelt with zero feeling in my hands. Took ages cos I kept dropping stuff )

great idea about the silicone!

Looks like it's already been helicoiled - at least that's what i imagine the steel spiral i pulled off the sump plug was... Bloody hope the silicone holds and doesn't spray 5 litres of black stuff all over my garage floor...

My Focus was helicoiled and I dropped the oil 5-6 times since it was done with no issues.
If you could find out what size helicoil was in there you could probably fix it yourself + keep a few spares just incase.

Take the sump off and get your local engine reconditioning shop to fix it, won't cost much.