Stripped timing belt tensioner pulley bolt

[stonnie]

I just got finished installing a new water pump, and was very pleased with myself because the job was going so smoothly. Needless to say, I jinxed myself and stripped the timing belt pulley tensioner bolt hole. Is a Helicoil my best option for fixing this problem?

 

[97hb]

We use time sert on aluminum blocks. They work awesome but are more expensive than helicoils. Check that option before you commit to heli.

 

[duffdog]

best option? get a new piece that stripped, I think its the water pump bracket or something? Second best option, just drill it out to fit the next size metric bolt and tap it.

 

[stonnie]

Thanks guys. I only need to be able to torque the bolt to 19lbs...not sure how I stripped it to be honest. I ordered a higher quality torque wrench and the helicoil because I didn't know where to find another bolt that fit the tensioner pulley, but with a larger thread size. I had already ordered the heli coil before I saw the post about Time Sert; hopefully there won't be any difference since the torque requirement is so low...

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Did you make sure to install the washer under the tensioner pulley? That's one of the most common ways I have seen that get stripped.

 

[stonnie]

I may not have, to be honest. Now I'm really stressing about getting the hole re drilled and tapped, so I'm, going to make a small drill guide out of a dowel rod and practice a few times on some random items, before I attempt to insert the heli coil.