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Ok I admit in my young life, never done this chaser thing on any thing and prob won't do it on my DCT either. Just leave me few numbers here to call when I break mine off!
Any good mechanic should know all this stuff already. A tap will generally enlarge the hole slightly and likely remove parent metal which is not wanted. First step should be a blast with contact or brake cleaner in each hole, then followed by a strong blast of compressed air. I like the idea of a long bolt with the same thread pitch and slots cut in it for debris to collect, then bottom this thread cleaning bolt. I have such bolts in my tool stash in different sizes. Another blast of cleaner and air. Finally upon installation of new filter, tech should know if there is any abnormal resistance to new screws going in, find out why and address. I know this is an idealistic scenario and the tech at your Chevy dealer will not likely do it, as they get paid by the job, not by the quality of work they perform. Faster for them = more $$$. In my business I charge hourly and spend the time it takes to do the best job possible. That's why I do all my own oil changes and service my own vehicles.
I haven't seen any hint that threadlocker is being used from the factory.
However, Haven't found one yet that shows a full closeup of the bolts either. A few I could see most of the length. And it doesn't look like it is being used. Maybe someone who has done it can fill us in.
I haven't seen any hint that threadlocker is being used from the factory.
However, Haven't found one yet that shows a full closeup of the bolts either. A few I could see most of the length. And it doesn't look like it is being used. Maybe someone who has done it can fill us in.
There have been posts with pictures of thread locker on the new fasteners that are included with the filter kit. The service manual says to discard the old fasteners. Many times this is because the fasteners have threadlocker pre-installed and not always because they are torque to yield fasteners.
But what about the factory installed fasteners. Do they have threadlocker applied?
I'm assuming so since the OEM replacement fasteners have thread locker installed and there is a step to chase the threads in the procedure, but I haven't seen it explicitly stated that the original fasteners don't have thread locker on them. But I can't think of a technical reason that replacement fasteners would require thread locker but the original ones can get away without it.
I'm curious because I couldn't tell from anything I have seen. I'm hesitant to presume so based on replacement parts as the exact same as the factory. They don't always match up exactly.
If it were me, I would make sure (proper) threadlocker is used.
My notes show the 4 bolts should be torqued to 53 in/lbs ( 53in/lb = 4.42ft/lb)
I like the idea mentioned by "Undy" to use a brass wire-brush/wire-wheel to clean the inside case threads.
Anyone have a brush selected from maybe Amazon?
But what about the factory installed fasteners. Do they have threadlocker applied?
YES, factory bolts DO have LocTite on them..... so do the replacement ones when you buy the AC Delco DCT Filter kit. Comes with a new O ring, and 4 new bolts.
I don't have a picture of the old ones, as I threw mine away when removed.
My notes show the 4 bolts should be torqued to 53 in/lbs ( 53in/lb = 4.42ft/lb)
I like the idea mentioned by "Undy" to use a brass wire-brush/wire-wheel to clean the inside case threads.
Anyone have a brush selected from maybe Amazon?
As mentioned above, a brass brush for cleaning a .22 rifle barrel suffices... very cheap. Here's a cheap ($10) cleaning kit, handle and all:
does anyone know the proper part number? or has purchased a thread chaser for the filter bolts?? have seen kits but seems like someone makes this part
dealer changed mine at 1200 miles telling me I could not wait- now car will be 3 years old next month - needs fluid changed and dealer says new filter- then again at
7500 miles will be 4th filter in car- when new/ at 1200 miles/ at 3700 miles and at 7500 miles- Chevrolet SHOULD have allowed to be done up to 3 years Originally
Brown car does everything silver car does except without the drama
Fun to discuss, but as a tech for over 50 years, I'd recommend the casual tinkerer not to overthink this. These are pretty small screws and it's very easy to enlarge, crossthread, or in some way damage them. I see it all the time in my business where DIY hobbiests are their own worst enemy. That, and all the fasteners needed to R&R the under covers to even get to the filter.
I would not use a tap. Possibly a thread chaser. Not cheap Chinese either. The brass .22 brass brush is the best way to go. I've used a lot of Loctite as a machinist.
