Big problem with the bolt hole for tensioner.

Bravo_charlie

I had left my car in to replace the cam chain and balance chain. But l got a phone call tonight from the mechanic stating that the bolt hole for the tensioner guide was stripped and the bolt just lifted out. He said that he will have to re thread it slightly and fit a bigger threaded bolt. I find it hard to believe that a bolt with nothing to grip hasn't fallen out of place by now as my car has 75k on the clock. Has anybody else come across this and to add insult he is charging me £60 to re tap it.

Dave_Gilbert

He probably pulled the threads out when he tried to refit.

I think oil goes in the holes and you have to use brake or carb cleaner to clean it out before refitting.

I think anyway but @[deleted] what are you expert thoughts?

Bravo_charlie

He told me that the bolt was already loose before he started to strip it down. I find it hard to take in surely the tensioner would have fail as there was no rattles from the engine before this.

Dave_Gilbert

Well I would say that carl(evocarlos) could go on experience and say that other than guides that have been snapped up id say not 1 has been loose(im guessing anyway)

Id say yours would be an original GM fitted chain kit. If it was loose it would have been loose when fitted its not like they move much. I think they are lock tighted in aswell.

Evocarlos will defo be more help than me.

But I would say the mechanic has gone to refit the guide without cleaning the threads out and stripped the threads when hes tried tighten it up.

IDI_AMIN

Probably arsed it up himself .
There are many unscrupulous mechanics out there , charging you 60 quid to re - thread a bolt hole is extortionate especially for such a small job

jwalker

£60? Fook that

evocarlos

depends which bolt hole it is some of them could be a right arse to retapp
the likelihood of the bolt being loose from the factory would be no existent and a most of the bolts have stud lock to prevent them shaking loose

Bravo_charlie

I think l will probably sell it after this just not happy with the outcome.

evocarlos

did you not email me about doing the chains some time ago?

Bravo_charlie

Surly all the bolts are torqued up to the specification required at the factory. And quality checked . I hate the thought of someone lying to me and then want me to pay for for their mistake it just makes me feel rip off. If he re taps it to a bigger size would this effect it in any way. As l put lot into this car and l don't really want to sell it .

Bravo_charlie

@ evocarlos yeah l did carl but unfortunately l live in n.ireland and it would mean for me to book a overnight stay to get to you if you where closer l wouldn't hesitated in having you carry out the work. I rang loads garages nobody wanted to touch it.

evocarlos

the bolts are all torque up at the factory with tools the prolly cost more than my car alone all of the bolts apart from the front top guide rail bolt stay firm if the front rail snaps then the chain after time wobbles the bolt in the head wrecking the thread
there are proper ways to repair a thread one of the ways is to dril the hole out to the next size tap it out and fit a helicoil bring the normal thread size back this would be a 100%fix for a knackered thread as its a steel insert into alloy so its stronger then the alloy that would normally be there

Bravo_charlie

Thanks carl l ring the mechanic in morning regarding your remedy.

evocarlos

Bravo charlie said:
Thanks carl l ring the mechanic in morning regarding your remedy.

thats problly what he means when he's says make it bigger 🙂

vocky

it's not uncommon for the upper chain guide bolt to come loose and kill the threads, seen it a few times. You only realise when you tighten up the new bolt.

Helicoil will fix it

Bravo_charlie

I got the car back this afternoon the mechanic reckons the cover plate was stopping the from falling completely out. All in a costly job Cam Chain, Balance Chain and a new Water Pump supplied by me labour cost, anti freeze and the upper chain bolt hole repaired £345.

Dave_Gilbert

£345 plus parts thats another £200 atleast int it. That is a big expensive job.

Bravo_charlie

All genuine GM parts used + Oil and Filter = £387

IDI_AMIN

Is that including the labour costs . i think that is a good price then

Dave_Gilbert

By the looks of it its £345 labour and £387 parts.

thats a big expensive job. And probably more than the cars worth. I know mines worth f@#k all.