Diff plug x threaded

What with me being muppet and all, I've managed to cross-thread the filler plug on my Salisbury rear diff, not massively, but enough so a tiny amount of oil can weep out. Doh! Funds don't allow many new parts, so can anyone give me a good reason why I couldn't use some PTFE plumbers tape to 'temporarily' remedy the problem? I don't want to retap the thread either as I'd only bugger that up too!
Cheers!

PTFE or that hylomar stuff I would have thought would be fine

Can't think of a reason not to use PTFE

I personally would clean up the mating surface of the bolt shoulder and the surface on the diff. Clean the threads out, get yourself a copper crush washer, use rtv on the threads and torque up the drain bolt correctly. I had a similar issue years ago and this mether provided a good mating of the surfaces and reduced the chance for oil to seap.

I always put a smear of instant gasket compounds on filler and drain plugs anyway. So a little something to help the oil tightness won't do any harm.

Cheers guys, bit of RTV and PTFE it is then. Thanks for the idea dcc but the diff plug has no shoulder, I do have plenty of copper washers for other sealing bolts though!

Not worth the chance on a bodge in my opinion. Did something similar myself and it was recommended that I replace the diff cover. It was not an expensive part and when you see how thin the material is, you will realize that re tapping the same hole would be a futile exercise.

sp00k said:

not worth the chance on a bodge in my opinion. Did something similar myself and it was recommended that i replace the diff cover. It was not an expensive part and when you see how thin the material is, you will realize that re tapping the same hole would be a futile exercise.

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+1

I appreciate the "don't bodge it" viewpoint, but with the diff plug I'm a bit more lenient. The oil isn't under much pressure? So as long as I can seal the thread with some PTFE it should be fine, right? It's not ****ing out oil, just a tiny amount over time.
When funds allow, I'll get a new pan, but until then on my head be it!

Im was in the same boat as you, some how the drain plug fell out because the thread was gone. I cleaned the surrounding area up, stuck on an outside tap back plate on with isopon then screwed in a male end cap

mick the builder said:

Im was in the same boat as you, some how the drain plug fell out because the thread was gone. I cleaned the surrounding area up, stuck on an outside tap back plate on with isopon then screwed in a male end cap

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That sounds like a well executed bodge! Is it still holding up?

mick the builder said:

Im was in the same boat as you, some how the drain plug fell out because the thread was gone. I cleaned the surrounding area up, stuck on an outside tap back plate on with isopon then screwed in a male end cap

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Now that deserves a creativity award Mick!

Still there and holding oil. Havent changed oil yet but should be fine. The flange on the back plate gives a good surface area for the isopon to grip.