ok so I over tightened the water pump drain bolt, I didn't know it was so easy to break

I over torqued the water pump drain bolt and it broke in half, i.e. part of the screw is still in the screwhole.. I think I need a die/tap kit, anyone got any advice? I guess worse case, if I can't get it out, I'll have to replace the water pump, how hard is that??

in panic mode right now...

here's a pic

 

Is there enough sticking out to grab with some vise grips? If so just try to turn it out, if not you will need to find a left handed drill bit and drill it out.

 

Bummer!

Should be a fairly simple fix though. First, take a deep breath and don't panic.

Next, buy a set of ezi-outs.

Then you drill a small hole in the centre of the broken bolt, insert the correct size ez-out, carefully wind it in (anti-clockwise) until it takes up, then unscrew the broken bolt remnants. I'm assuming you did not use any thread lock etc.

Do a search on how to use them (Google is your friend).

Cheers, SB

 

Try using a pick or small screwdriver and see if you can unscrew it by working it out counter clockwise. It shouldn't be that tight. If you can't get it, remove the cover and try again. Use the high spot to push on.

 

I think if you look closely it's broken off in the drain hole. No part is sticking out.

Cheers, SB

 

Sorry I'm on my phone can't see it that well...

 

yes, it's still in the drain hole.. I'll try getting in there with some really small pliers first because there is a bit sticking out but it's still in the hole.. hard to explain.. otherwise, how hard is it to take off the water pump cover??
and worst case, replace the water pump??

btw, thanks for the quick and helpful responses, this forum is amazing

 

You shouldnt have to replace the water pump.

It is a relatively easy method to remove the bolt remains. Often when I have broken a bolt and intend to use the easy out, the left handed drill will wind out the remains when I'm drilling the ezi-out pilot hole.

Just be careful of the threads in the hole.

Cheers, SB

 

Sorry, didn't mean to sound gruff - morning coffee not fully absorbed yet

Cheers, SB

 

Yeah I'm with the others. Just take a small flat head screw driver and see if you can get it out by turning it counter clockwise. If you can't get a bite on it then take a hammer and gently tap on the screwdriver to see if you can knock a slit into it so you can get a bite on it to unscrew it. Just had something like that happen to me and the flathead screwdriver works almost every time.

Oh and if that doesn't work then you can try to pick up an extractor bit from auto zone or advanced auto parts.