[Vwdiesel] stripped tensioner bolt hole

[Rolf Pechukas]

yup, thanks Val
like I said, we did steel inserts in the straight-six block of my son's 
Z3 2.8
familiar with 'improving' aluminum with steel
but in this case I had no room to do anything
ended up using JB-Weld as a 'form-in-place' insert
(steel-reinforced high-temp epoxy)
seemed to work just fine
good enough to hold a 3rd bolt at low torque, anyway
just want that tensioner not moving around
will check on it from time to time
I will do an insert next time we do the timing bolt
(also used JB-Weld to repair a small ding in the oil pan
so far so good
thanks!


On 4/16/15 7:08 PM, Val Christian wrote:
> I would use a helicoil or equivalent insert.  The insert will result
> in a stronger connection, with more surface area in the Al.
>
> The metric inserts are on Amazon, and at various car parts places.
>
> I had to do this on the brake caliper on my daughter's Jetta,
> as the pins in there could be pulled out by hand.  The resulting job
> was perfect.
>
> The difference is that you use the tap supplied with the coiled inserts,
> and you will install the insert before the bolt.
>