Pro tip: stop using impact guns on injector hold-down bolts

I was out in Lubbock last week on a 2015 6.7 Powerstroke, snapped two injector hold-down bolts before I realized the previous guy had torqued them with an impact. Had to pull the head and helicoil both holes. Took me an extra 4 hours on a job I quoted for 6. Has anyone else run into this crap or am I the only one dealing with other people's shortcuts?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyramirez2mo agoTop Commenter

Helicoil is a band-aid, you really should have just tapped it for a time-sert instead since those threads are way stronger on a repair like that.

kim_davis2mo ago

Wait, you're saying a Helicoil is just a band-aid compared to a time-sert?

owens.laura2mo agoMost Upvoted

Tbh it's not quite that simple. Helicoils can be totally fine depending on the application, like in aluminum where the thread engagement is mostly about surface area. Time-serts are definitely stronger in high stress or high heat situations, but calling a Helicoil a band-aid is a bit harsh. People have been using them for decades on things like cylinder head bolt holes without issues if you install them right. The big difference is that time-serts have a bigger shoulder and lock in tighter, but for most normal repairs a Helicoil will get the job done.