Stepper motor snapped off! Can I still run it somehow?

[RDJ]

Ham fisted bugger that I am I have over-tightened the stepper motor and snapped it off from the thread. The threaded part is sat in situ in the plenum . The plunger is still attached to the body/motor of the stepper

I will have to pull the stepper apart to remove the threaded section (by backing it out somehow). Once it's all out of there is there anyway of running the car without it until the new stepper arrives?

It's my daily drive and I have a big day tomorrow.

[QBee]

Try it now. I think you will have lost the idle control, so the car will stall at junctions etc. Not undrivable, but junctions are a challenge and traffic a nightmare. See what it's like?

[ianwayne]

When I was checking mine, I searched the threads on here and followed the advice to cover the hole with a rag and it will start. This was to force the motor to eject the plunger.

I actually used some very sticky tape on the hole on the plenum (careful, you don't want it being sucked into the engine). You may struggle to start it from cold but if it does, it will rev to about 3000 rpm + because there is no stepper motor plunger to restrict the air flow.

[jojackson4]

Where are you in the country

[RDJ]

Pictures

[RDJ]

jojackson4 said:

Where are you in the country

Essex

[jojackson4]

Shame I have a spare and a spare houseing
BUT it's up north 250 miles or so

[RDJ]

Thanks

[RDJ]

I'm going to hotglue and duck tape it back in to place for tonight and see how that goes

ETA It's running!

Thanks for help

You'd never know it's been repaired look!

Edited by RDJ on Thursday 9th January 23:24

[zed4]

I did the same, oops! I removed the plenum to get the threaded part out, it's easier to remove from the inside. Plus when the plenum is off, you can clean up the plenum base.

[RDJ]

zed4 said:

I did the same, oops! I removed the plenum to get the threaded part out, it's easier to remove from the inside. Plus when the plenum is off, you can clean up the plenum base.

Is there a gasket when I take the top of the plennum off?

[zed4]

RDJ said:

Is there a gasket when I take the top of the plennum off?

Not on the plenum no. But it's best to get some hylomar type stuff to seal it back up when you refit it. There is a gasket between the stepper motor housing and the plenum top though.

[RDJ]

zed4 said:

RDJ said:

Is there a gasket when I take the top of the plennum off?

Not on the plenum no. But it's best to get some hylomar type stuff to seal it back up when you refit it. There is a gasket between the stepper motor housing and the plenum top though.

Gotcha. Thanks

[anonymous-user]

When I sheared mine I removed the thread from the plenum and stuck the two parts back together with Loctite Hyper Bond.
It's a two part mix in a measured twin syringe, allow the correct cure time and it's solid.
It was a strong enough bond to clean the threads with a needle file.
Another good product is JB Weld.

[blitzracing]

You can run without the stepper, but you need to block the hole the stepper was in with something, and then block or clamp the air feed to the stepper. Then you will have to lift the base idle with the screw in plenum until you get a tickover.

[MADMAX2]

I have a spare housing too almost brand new pm me if you want it it's no use to me I'm sure some beer tokens will sort it

[RDJ]

Thanks guys

And that's a very kind offer Ian! If I can't salvage my one at the weekend I will PM you, though it shouldn't be too difficult to wind the thread back out.

I wish they made spanners that snap at a certain torque limit

[Hedgehopper]

I superglued my stepper motor back together, three years later it still works fine.

I suggest that you use a large O ring (lubricated with silicone grease) when re-fitting rather than a gasket and do it up just handtight...no tools.

Take the opportunity to remove the stepper motor housing complete and give the seat a thorough clean. My car ran and idled far better when this was done rather than just cleaning the motor itself.

[RDJ]

Thanks Alex. I see you have the best colour too (Ruby mica).

[QBee]

I would say the hylomar is essential when replacing the plenum - any even slight air leaks will nicely bugger up your running I think