Topic: Snapped Spark Advancer bolt in Crank

[MrOuija]

Hello all,

New to the forum, but not to forums. My 550K1 was given to me by someone very close who has passed on to his next life. It has been sitting for a while, but still turned over with the starter and kick. During the past winter here in So Cal, (if there is such a thing here) more than likely moisture crept into the cylinders when I removed the exhaust and seized the engine. Long enough story short, I attempted to turn the crank at the special nut at the spark advance, and snapped it off clean in the crank. I am experienced, and have tools, but due to the sensitivity of the nature, any ideas would be great, before submitting myself to a machine shop. What a noob move. Thanks in advance.

[ghostdevil273]

if was me I center punch it best you can ................5/32" Left hand drill bit......Mmmm may come out with just the bit.....No pressure on it........
If not next step would be use a NO 1 easy out (3/32" to 5/32" is the range for NO 1)
Trust me I been there done same thing

[Medyo Bastos]

Weld a nut to it. It will come out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bryanj]

Thats why the book says DO NOT TURN ENGINE VIA THAT NUT.

A carefull centre punch mark and left hand drill will normally get that out DONT use a standard easyout but you can try sizing the drill so you can tap in a torx screwdriver bit and undo it with that

[ekpent]

 There is a rubber o-ring on the bolt piece that is left in there so it may not turn out quite as easy as some. Some lightweight oil or such may help your cause along the way.

[robvangulik]

The bolt has snapped on the groove, you can see the o-ring in the hole and pick it out before attempting to get the bolt out.

[ekpent]

 Ahh yes - I see it clearly when I blow up the pic.

[Alan F.]

I haven't had to extract a broken bolt yet, more from being lazy, paranoid or preoccupied than actual wrenching. (Lots of unfinished projects)

Where are good left-handed drill bits purchased?
I may have to pick some up before it happens to me.

I'm in the US but I'm sure Canadian and UK answers will be useful for lots of members as well.
Thanks.

Bummer about your advancer bolt MrOuija, I wish you easy success removing and replacing it.

[Geoff Hastings]

A set of hinge drill bits will help keep the drill central, once you have a hole established then I’d try the left handed drill bits.

[Little_Phil]

The bolt has snapped on the groove, you can see the o-ring in the hole and pick it out before attempting to get the bolt out.

No O ring on the 550, it's just a straight M6 x 55 bolt.

[MrOuija]

The bolt has snapped on the groove, you can see the o-ring in the hole and pick it out before attempting to get the bolt out.

No O ring on the 550, it's just a straight M6 x 55 bolt.

No O-ring on this bolt is correct.


Thanks all, I will try the easy out method first as stated by @ghostdevil273, and will give an update once completed.

[bryanj]

DONT use the tapered easyouts as they expand the bolt into the thread and make it tighter

[MrOuija]

DONT use the tapered easyouts as they expand the bolt into the thread and make it tighter

I was planning on getting some of these, or is there a better recommendation out there?

[MrOuija]

Good news,


I drilled a small 1/16 pilot hole, then a 3/32 size bit, followed by a really small flat blade screwdriver and light hammer tapping. She came right out.

[Alan F.]

That is good news, congrats on the win.

[HondaMan]

Good job!
I love it when patience wins, she is SO cool.

[RAFster122s]

Glad you got it out OK. Another point to make about Ez-outs, don't buy cheap ones or those made in China. Better to spend the money on Snap-On or other professional grade one if you go that route. But, you will find a good quality Left Hand drill bit set is far better investment and tool when dealing with sheared/broken fasteners. If you break a drill bit you have a chance of drilling it out, a hardened steel Ez-Out is nearly impossible to easily defeat because it is so hard.

Congrats on the success.

Time to download the Honda OEM Factory Shop Manual and read it again. Haynes and Chilton are OK references but I don't trust them to be always accurate nor best.

[ekpent]

Glad you cleared that hurdle and I learned something about 500/550 also. Any luck on getting it unstuck yet ? What have you put down the spark plug holes to help ? Be careful if and when it breaks loose as it can make a mess as some here can attest to. Good outdoor job. Maybe rocking in gear like 4th can help break it loose or find the big nut on the other side of the engine.

[MrOuija]

Glad you cleared that hurdle and I learned something about 500/550 also. Any luck on getting it unstuck yet ? What have you put down the spark plug holes to help ? Be careful if and when it breaks loose as it can make a mess as some here can attest to. Good outdoor job. Maybe rocking in gear like 4th can help break it loose or find the big nut on the other side of the engine.

I poured some Marvel Mystery oil down the sparkplug holes, hoping it helps. I will try your fourth gear method, not sure I want to try turning any more nuts again.

[ekpent]

 There's kind of a running joke/contest of who has the farthest squirt out the spark plug holes when the engine breaks loose. I think member Steve'o may hold the record.

[bryanj]

Its safe to use the bolt that holds the alternator rotor on, just dont try starting the engine with the generator cover off

[Stev-o]

There's kind of a running joke/contest of who has the farthest squirt out the spark plug holes when the engine breaks loose. I think member Steve'o may hold the record.

Yes sir!  17' of the ATF/Acetone "Cocktail" from my K7!

[MauiK3]

Great news, patience pays off

[Don R]

 Thanks for the report, often we never hear how it was resolved.

[RAFster122s]

Acetone and ATF mix (50/50) does a great job with time getting rings and pistons to release from cylinders