Stripped threads engine block / mount

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Not sure if right forum - have a Fiat 500 (1.4 petrol) at our place in Greece and our local mechanic (lovely friendly guy I can’t and don’t want to pant hardball with) stripped the threads on the aluminium block when replacing the engine mounts on one side after a cambelt change. My question is - can he repair this without removing the engine?

[DanCat]

Can you get a drill/tap in?
Maybe buy a 90 degree adaptor for a drill? screfix do a surprisingly good one for £30

Drill, tap, helicoil. Helicoils are stronger than an ali tapped foxing if done right

[finlo]

[paul_c123]

Should be able to tilt the engine up/down enough to get a drill into the hole to fit the helicoil or similar. Might need to take exhaust off, might need to raise the car up a bit more than normal, but shouldn't need engine out. Or buy/borrow some kind of compact or right angle drill. Or if its just one bolt out of (say) 3, just leave it on 2 bolts.

[GreenV8S]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

our local mechanic ... can he repair this without removing the engine?

The repair would almost certainly be to install a thread insert. Your mechanic will know that and should be able to advise whether it's possible to do without removing the engine. Have you asked him?

[E-bmw]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

Not sure if right forum - have a Fiat 500 (1.4 petrol) at our place in Greece and our local mechanic (lovely friendly guy I can t and don t want to pant hardball with) stripped the threads on the aluminium block when replacing the engine mounts on one side after a cambelt change. My question is - can he repair this without removing the engine?

Surely, only he can answer what he can do.

Anything is possible with the correct knowledge, time, facilities & tools.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Thanks all. V useful. I’m not back there for a couple of weeks - which is when I’ve agreed to drop car back to him. He doesn’t speak v good English so I’m not quite sure what he’s planning to do!! I might go armed with a right angle drill adapter…

[E-bmw]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

I might go armed with a right angle drill adapter

Your man-maths are sh!t!

Why not go full tool buy?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403307053288?_skw=de+wa...

[dingg]

He's Greek, probably hammered a wooden dowel into the hole by now :-)

[E-bmw]

dingg said:

He's Greek, probably hammered a wooden dowel into the hole by now :-)

XLNT, somewhere for the wood screw thread to bite into then!