Pushed Transmission Oil Level Check Bolt Into Transmission

[McFogle]

Well boys I have committed a terrifying sin. I sheared my trans oil fill level bolt (6mm x 16mm) while trying to torque spec it. Upon trying to extract it, I accidentally tapped the body of the bolt into the trans case. Tomorrow, I will try I to snake in a magnet and a scope to hopefully extract it. If I am unable to extract it then I will drop the transmission and get the bolt the hard way.

Does anyone know of any access port or trick I can try to avoid this massive pain in the ass? I’ve dropped a manual transmission on a 2012 Jetta so I’m familiar but super not looking forward to this.

If I do drop the transmission, are there any easy upgrades that I can do while the clutch is out?

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[McFogle]

Picture shortly before disaster.

 

[cryptolime]

i'd try to fish it out through the drain hole. probably will drop out with the fluid.

 

[McFogle]

i'd try to fish it out through the drain hole. probably will drop out with the fluid.

Yeah I already drained the fluid out hoping it would come out but no luck. Once I get the air box off tomorrow I’ll flush it with the old fluid a few times

 

[AZCWTypeR]

The torque spec on 6mm bolts is very low around 8 n-m. This is below the accurate range of common torque wrenches. I go by feel and best to go easy, choking up on the wrench.

Years ago a I took a 6mm bolt to the motorcycle dealer as an example of what I needed. They handed me a bolt 2/3's the length of what I brought in, pointing out how much I stretched the threads - yikes!

 

[McFogle]

Yeah it’s funny because I have always just tightened by feel and have never sheared a bolt. I finally get a set of torque wrenches and I honestly felt like I was going easy because I knew how unreliable they are at low torque but I still heard that lovely snap.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

We had super fancy torque limiting drivers and wrenches at work, but I doubt they cost less than a couple thousand $. They recorded everything in realtime too (aerospace assembly). Also on a strict recalibration schedule.

 

[cryptolime]

it's very convenient on the Si because it takes exactly two quarts. don't even use the level check bolt anymore.

 

[Spart]

The torque spec on that bolt is 9 ft-lb, and that's below the accurate capability of most torque wrenches.

I have used and can recommend this one for that range, it's also a handy size and accurate towards the high end of the scale at 40 ft-lb also: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MVHQ47

 

[McFogle]

Update: I GOT IT!!! 4 hours in the freezing rain but it’s out. I used a scope to get a feel for where it may have fallen and then I just fished around with the magnet. Huge thanks to everyone telling me the torque spec of this bolt after I had already said I was torque speccing it. That was very helpful in helping me get this out…

 

[Jack90210]

 

[McFogle]

I swear to god I’m going to pistol whip the next person that says torque wrench.

 

[marcusm86]

I swear to god I’m going to pistol whip the next person that says torque wrench.

i deleted it bc u seemed aggravated.. was just trying to help

 

[Spart]

Huge thanks to everyone telling me the torque spec of this bolt after I had already said I was torque speccing it. That was very helpful in helping me get this out…

You actually didn't say what you torqued it to.

My assumption is that you just re-used the same torque value for the fill and drain plugs. I don't see how you could have sheared that bolt otherwise.

My advice was to help the next guy, not you. You were already f'd.

Glad you got it sorted.

 

[MooMoo]

It might not be that he used the wrong torque value but the first 20% on torque screws is not very accurate.

a bolt requires that low nm needs a 1/4 torque wrench where that torque value is probably middle of the range.

glad you got it out op!

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