If the friend falls through, anybody know what it costs st the dealer to get the threads fixed?

 

It's really not that hard to install a helicoil kit. the last time I bought one it cost me around 45 dollars for the specific metric thread I wanted to fix on my snowmobile.

Of course this was before we had eBay and Amazon around so I got my kit through the local Napa auto parts store.

I still have all but the replacement coils for the kit and haven't used it since.

Once I had cut the thread for the coil to go into I worried that the little bits of aluminum would cause the engine to fail real soon but I had blown the spark plug hole out with compressed air then turned the engine over several times with the sparkplug out and decided anything that was left would most likely burn up and go out the exhaust before to long.

I guess I was right because I ran the sled for two more seasons then finally sold it to another guy who may still be running it.

 

I would be more concerned with that on the old iron heads. The couple of helicoils I've done in my lifetime were on older cars with iron heads. I did those with the head off of the engine so I was able to thoroughly clean out any shavings etc. I've seen people do helicoils on aluminum heads while still on the engine and all they did to clean out the possible residue was use compressed air and an attachment on a shop vac.

 

I used the shop vac while I cut the treads for the helicoils, a lovely assistant is not recommended as she will get upset if you don't vacuum the around the house!! lol

 

One local shop said helicoils were not the recommended insert to use anymore. Anyone second that or is it more of the guy's preference?

 

Btw that guy's friend did flake.

 

I don't know but hope someone with experience can help you was wondering if you ever got it fixed,looks like you didn't do a internet search a prices as someone with same engine should have had it done before.good luck my friend hope it works out.

 

In days gone by; air cooled VWs had that problem so much that there were kits sold with the exact parts and tools included. Those were alloy heads, also the long head bolts. Long time gone since I worried about heli coils, don't know what they say anymore, new head?.

 

New head? Maybe, if it's not too much. I should just be able to take the head off, drill it out, and install the inserts. right? Obviously buying a new gasket, do I need to replace the bolts to?

 

Theoretically, you don't have to remove the head to install heli-coils.

If you are going to remove the head, just get a new one + a timing chain kit with guides and sprockets. Starts getting into real money. I have a head gasket and exhaust gasket for a 2.2L non-VVT (2008) if you will need one. It's buried in the classifieds. Or just PM me.