Ford Ka 54 - Sump plug helicoil

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Sun 21 Feb 2010 17:09
Ford Ka 54 - Sump plug helicoil - percy
I see in Telegraph Motoring 20/02/10 that HJ blames road humps for a stripped sump plug thread in a 54 Ka.
I would prefer to point the finger at the service 'gorillas' who give the sump plugs an extra tweak 'for luck'.
The modern Fords appear to have their plugs at the rear of the (soft) aluminium sump (out of the way of the road humps).
My Focus has come back from two different Ford agents after annual service with an overtightened plug 2 years running. I'm not going back!
Don't these guys have torque wrenches and/or a bit of mechanical sympathy? Fellow backroomeers what are your views?
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Sun 21 Feb 2010 19:12
Ford Ka 54 - Sump plug helicoil - piston power
Nobody uses a torque wrench on a sump nut neither do they on a water pump etc only engine internal bolts and these fast fit places make me laugh those torque wrenches are set too high one setting for all cars seems to be the practice at the local outfit.
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