Secondary air pump woes - bolt sheared
 

Hi all,

Was doing a service to the old girl today, decided to have a quick look at doing the secondary air pump removal. All I was doing was checking what the access was like on the drivers side and the damn bolt sheared clean off with almost no pressure..
Luckily the other bolt was really easy to get out. I have copper slipped it up and put it back in.
It looks to be holding exhaust pressure so the car is usable.

Obviously I do not intend to leave it like this..
My next dilemma is what to do going forward. Would I have enough room to get to it if I remove the up pipe? With the hope enough is showing to get a pair of grips on it?
Worst case will I be able to drill and tap it with the engine in situ?

I tend to do most things on cars by myself but I am borderline thinking about booking it into a specialist to be done... I go away August bank holiday weekend so need the car for then.

Any thoughts appreciated.
thanks,

If the head of the bolt has just come off , may come out with mole grips. Give it a good dousing with penetrating fluid to help removal

Cheers for the reply. I have considered that but I don't think there will be much left to get hold of. On closer inspection of the bolt head I think exhaust gas might have been weeping out and ate away at the bolt itself!?
I have also considered cutting a notch in the end with a Dremel and trying to unscrew it with a flat head screwdriver. I think I need to do a few coats of penetrating fluid before I even consider that.

thanks,

Yu could try that and alse gently tap the end as it could shock it loose . Keep applying the penetrating fluid though

did you do the bolt ?

No, not had a chance yet. I am going away the end of August and don't have much time between now and then (Mrs Birthday, Friends wedding etc. Damn life getting in the way)
I am tempted to leave it for the time being as it is holding pressure perfectly ok.

I had another plan that could well be easier. Weld the blanking plate to the small nubbin of bolt left. Alas I am no welder and do not have the kit to do it. Would need to have it all off and ready for someone to weld it... My thinking is once there it will not need to be removed. Thoughts on this?

It'd be pretty tight trying to weld down in there, better trying to get bolt removed imo