Messed up my gf's 2007 Denali when doing an oil change - HELLLLP

[OR VietVet]

My heads came new from Edelbrock that way. Granted, it's been about 15 years, so head material and technology may have changed since. I always thought helicoils in aluminum helped prevent steel bolts from stripping the threads in softer aluminum.

Heck, I think even the standard repair for stripped or blown out spark plug threads in aluminum heads are helicoils. Spark plugs get installed and removed quite frequently

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But also bear in mind the torque put on a spark plug during install is minimal compared to bolts at the heads. Valve cover gasket holes with helicoils also has minimal torque. The helicoil that is installed is only as good as the process and the metal prep before the helicoil install. I will never say a helicoil is not a fix, I am just saying IMO, it is temporary in the long run.

 

[gooffeyguy]

I guess we disagree. I'd prefer to have helicoiled bolt holes on aluminum parts than just threads cut into the aluminum.

My heads rocker, exhaust manifold, and front accessory bolt holes are helicoiled. The valve cover and intake manifold holes are not, as those bolts don't require much torque and the aluminum threads are sufficient.

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[Just Fishing]

Helicoils are awesome.
Imo aluminum parts should come that way.

And ebay would be a good source for a used oil pan.
Probably get it under $100 shipped.

 

[George B]

I guess we disagree. I'd prefer to have helicoiled bolt holes on aluminum parts than just threads cut into the aluminum.

My heads rocker, exhaust manifold, and front accessory bolt holes are helicoiled. The valve cover and intake manifold holes are not, as those bolts don't require much torque and the aluminum threads are sufficient.

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I agree with this and wouldn’t hesitate to fix the OP truck with one. In fact it would be done already if he was close to me.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I agree with the Helicoil, I highly disagree with a budget oil pan. I've seen a few of the cheap replacement ones made in china leak no matter what you do. OEM replacement is the only way to go.

 

[wjburken]

I have spec'd out heli-coils in the equipment I have designed for over 20 years when I have fasteners being threaded into aluminum, with very good success. I have also seen heli-coils inserted by untrained individuals that didn't understand or use the proper tools/process with very poor results. Heli-coils definitely have their place and work well, but like many things, they can be messed up and inserted wrong.

 

[theycallmecoyote]

Bottom line is this...

If you were responsible for cross threading the drain plug and put it all back together knowing it was wrong, you need to stop and let a professional handle it.

If you weren't responsible for the cross threaded drain plug, but either didn't notice or just proceeded anyways, you need to stop and let a professional handle it.

If you got the wrong drain plug, noticed that something didn't seem right, and rammed it in anyways, you need to stop and let a professional handle it.

If you don't know what a helicoil is or how to tap threads, you need to stop and let a professional handle it.

The potential for catastrophic failure if your fix is shoddy is astronimical. A $400 oil pan is one thing, you don't want to owe her an engine.

 

[OR VietVet]

If the engine goes after he worked on it, that would be a great Benny Hill moment to see where she chases him around slapping and smacking him in the head while he runs everywhere trying to get away and save himself.

 

[VDV18]

I love Benny Hill........

 

[Jason in DLH]

Well, I'm apparently an idiot. She's been having nothing but trouble with this truck since she got it and I was giving it an oil change. All was seemingly fine until 3 to 4 weeks later when the "low oil" light came on.

I don't know if it was me or the drain plug I ordered off amazon that "fits your 2007 denali" but doesnt.
Needa 653096US M12-1.75 Oil Drain Plugs and Gasket for GM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NYMUWI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

She took it to a place to get another oil change or to see what was wrong with it. They said that the drain plug was stuck/misthreaded/cockeyed (I forget) and they would have to replace the whole oil pan for like $400-$600 - so now I feel like a POS.

Is there ANYYYY way to fix this??? PLEASE say yes!! I feel so bad. Thank you for the help!!

Don’t worry...you’re not alone. One night I went out to change the oil and went ahead to remove the drain plug. No oil came out! I then realized I took off a bell housing bolt.

 

[George B]

Don’t worry...you’re not alone. One night I went out to change the oil and went ahead to remove the drain plug. No oil came out! I then realized I took off a bell housing bolt.

Sober?

 

[Jimmyy]

Pay the $400 for the repair. Get a new girlfriend. Or pay for the repair the rest of your life. Women have long memories.

 

[OR VietVet]

Don’t worry...you’re not alone. One night I went out to change the oil and went ahead to remove the drain plug. No oil came out! I then realized I took off a bell housing bolt.

When you finally figured out how to drain the oil, did you refill at the trans fill tube too?

 

[Jason in DLH]

Sober?

Hate to admit it, but very sober. Haha!

 

[Bill 1960]

Pay the $400 for the repair. Get a new girlfriend. Or pay for the repair the rest of your life. Women have long memories.

From a relationship standpoint, it’s toast. Even if he pays the bill, that’s money wasted that COULD have been spent on a bigger ring. Probably best to move out of state and leave no forwarding address.

 

[OR VietVet]

I had a lady tell me one time that she would never want to be involved with any man that is not an automotive tech. No lawyers, no doctors, no pretty boys and no cry baby's. Just a tech for her. She said he would be the one put up on a pedestal in her house. She was a looker too. Reminded me of Madeline Stowe.

 

[Jimmyy]

From a relationship standpoint, it’s toast. Even if he pays the bill, that’s money wasted that COULD have been spent on a bigger ring. Probably best to move out of state and leave no forwarding address.

At the very least start dating her sister.

 

[George B]

It's interesting but my wife was with a few completely incompetent men before me and vehicle trouble causes her (anxiety-anger). I have to be careful how I describe opportunities for improvement so they don't sound like real problems.

Unfortunately she knows what a "belt drive intake manifold" is.

 

[theycallmecoyote]

You've just given me a *wonderful* idea

 

[George B]

You've just given me a *wonderful* idea

Don't do it! Nothing good can come from it.