I'm supposed to be going on a tour of Scotland on Saturday, but I've done something rather stupid.

I went to change the oil and filter, and have managed to break one of the bolts that protrude from the engine block.
Not only this, but it seems I have sheared the thread from the inside of the bottom hole where the bolt goes.

What do I do? Replace the section of engine block? Drill the broken bolt out and stick something in there?

Help!

you need to take it in to a shop ASAP.  I did that too and they can fix it in an hour, slip the shop manager some extra dough to get same day service.

I'm not clear on how you can have both a broken stud and sheared threads, unless you already got the remains of the stud out?

You might want to get professional help for this, but basically you need to get the remaining part of the stud out (if any is sticking up you can perhaps grab onto it with locking pliers - otherwise you need some skill to drill the hard steel without drifting off into the soft aluminium) and then you drill and tap for a helicoil or other thread insert - a thing which goes into a larger diameter threaded hole, and has the original sized threaded hole in it. Rather expensive to tool up for doing just one, which is why going to an already-equipped shop may be a better idea.

I have broken a bolt at the top and sheared the thread of the lower hole which does not have a bolt sticking out (you screw a bolt into it).

Would a mobile mechanic be able to do this?

Oh!  So you have managed to break two of the locations.  The lower hole with stripped threads "may" respond to a rethreading tap.  If the mobile mechanic has a set of re-threading taps, then he/she is good to go on that.  If its stripped rather badly, he/she can use a threading tap to change it to the next larger size stud.  The mobile mechanic should be able to remove the portion of broken stud at the top -- if it is set with thread locking agent, heat may be needed (propane), but usually they will turn out with taps from a small sharp punch or an easy-out device.  Still, it sounds to me that a well equipped shop would be your best bet for a harmonious outcome.

prs

All 3 are threaded rods, so they should stay in the engine and you just loosen the bolts - seems like somebody had a problem with the lower one and "repaired it".
Mobile fitter might help, you'll prob need a http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.asp?gclid=CJ3M18zcnJUCFRqH1Qod8lOkaA

Where in the UK are you?

Its not difficult to remove the broken studs and reclaim threads but you do need to know exactly what you are doing and have the right gear to do it properly. Lots of people will offer advice when it comes to broken fastenings but very few have actually tried it themselves and even less have managed to pull it off successfully. With respect......if you are asking how to tackle it in here you are not capable of doing it yourself and its unlikely you will have the equipment.

My suggestion: Get the yellow pages out and find a local engine reconditioning company, speak to them and get their advice, they are dealing with broken bolts and stripped threads everyday.

http://www.yell.com/ucs/UcsSearchAction.do?ssm=0&scrambleSeed=7232633&keywords=engine+reconditioning&companyName=&location=scotland&M=0&x=20&y=15

I'm in Hampshire.

I have taken your collective advice and handed it over to the local car garage. I know a bike garage would be better, but this one had the advantage of being at the bottom of the hill from where my house is at the top, hence I didn't have to push it or have it carried. Here's hoping I don't have to push it back up.

good luck!
Please tell us, after it's fixed, how much they charged you.
thanks
Kamel

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41848.0

Shouldn't really matter whether car or bike garage. Good luck that it gets sorted in time - I just found out that the seals in my upper petcock are gone - what is it with GSes going on strike prior to Scotland? My mate's (he's coming over for our trip) just decided to die on him whenever he uses 6th gear...

i think he meant the oil drain plug(bottom hole)  as well as the oil filter   

No the Grinch has it right - the bottom stud must have been replaced be a PO.

I've just got the bike back from the garage, they charged £40 ($75) for labour and £8 ($15) for helicoils and studs. That's pretty much the going rate for an hour's labour.

This has been an expensive oil change, but I learned a valuable lesson, and at least I got it fixed promptly.


Grinch - when are you going to Scotland? What sort of trip have you got planned?

Reasonable pricing, and done in time to go. Give my regards to Dunnet Head while you're up there, if you are going way up there.

I'd like to go around the north coast, but I think we'd struggle to do it comfortably in the six days we've got (from the south coast of ENgland and back). We're planning to stop in Yorkshire, Edinburgh, Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond, Glasgow and then Manchester. Anything else you'd recommend seeing / good roads?

If not going so far up, poking in the borders is good. If you can get to the far north sometime with good weather, it's outstanding, but rushing doesn't make for a fun time. Though there is something to be said for puttering over to Lands End and then running up to John o' Groats (not all in one day unless you are a masochist)

If you're planning to tour Scotch distilleries at all (a dubious expenditure of limited time if you've ever done it before) the one I really enjoyed was the Edradour, "the smallest distillery in Scotland", which is not so much of a factory as the rest. The rest are basically all the same.

Ayr is nice and has all the Robert Burns stuff, if you're into that.

Glasgow and environs has lots of Charles Rennie Macintosh stuff, if you're into that. Hill House is in Helensburg, near Lomond.

Melrose abbey is very nice in the ruined old church line. You can go visit Scotts view if you like, and if you get lucky you can jump out of your skin (I nearly did) as a Harrier does some terrain following exercises. Had a similar experience down near Hadrian's wall.

Queen Elizabeth forest park is near Loch Lomond, and rings a bell as nice (it was a few years back, but we took a month and just puttered around Scotland). I recall the coast road out of Ayr to the south as being a nice ride.

If you know who Greyfriar's Bobby is you can track down a fountain in Edinburgh and be disappointed that it sits dry (I suspect it still does)

The Wallace monument in Dryburgh is both nice, and has a nice view. Dryburgh abbey is another in the old ruined church line.

bit too extensive, so PN sent