using the wrong nuts!

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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TX82FIAT
Posts: 1814
Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

using the wrong nuts!

Post by TX82FIAT »

Folks, I've worked on eliminating oil leaks on the car over the last three years. I had a brief week where there was not a drop of oil under the car. This morning i checked under the car after a 30 mile fun run. There was a drip under the transmission again. I'm now questioning the type of but uses. I used mid grade nylon locking nuts M6 X 1. I'm thinking that nylon nuts are not a good nut for the transmission pan for two reasons. 1. heat on the nylon. 2. limited thread on the stud. I have been thinking of using the serated flange nut as a replacement. Thoughts, am i out of my mind. Is an oil leak that drops the equivalent of a 3/8" spot worth worrining about at this point?
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
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RRoller123
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: using the wrong nuts!

Post by RRoller123 »

If you are sick like me, every oil leak must be tracked down and (eventually) destroyed. It is a holy journey, a quest.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: using the wrong nuts!

Post by azruss »

boys, you are pursuing an exercise in self imposed insanity. :lol: If you dont want it to leak, dont put oil in it. I have a hard time believing that a nylock would melt to the point on loosening its grip. You sure can tell by removing one and see what it looks like. You could replace them with all metal dohicky but i wouldnt expect it to stop your leak. Just remember, that if it doesn't leak then its not Italian. :mrgreen:
Seriously, I have a leak about the same size. It comes from the weld around the oil drain plug and leaves a mere smudge on the garage floor. To me, this is not a leak. It requires me to go under the car once a month or so with a spray bottle of degreaser and a paper towel to restore balance in the universe.
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RRoller123
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: using the wrong nuts!

Post by RRoller123 »

eventually, just weld the leak closed........
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: using the wrong nuts!

Post by vandor »

Ray, did you 'unbend' the pan at each hole? When the pan nuts are tightened they bend the edges of the hole up, so the pan has 10 protrusions, one at each hole. I lay the pan on a piece of wood, put the ball of a ball peen hammer on the hole, and hit it with another hammer. Once done I lay the pan down on something flat to make sure it is flat.
Also had good luck putting aviation permatex on both sides of the gasket.

I have never tried it, but one could use the engine oil pan washers on the trans oil pan to spread the load.

After I rebuilt my engine I had no leaks for 5-6 years, but now the drips have started.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
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btoran
Posts: 630
Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:26 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Location: Northport, NY

Re: using the wrong nuts!

Post by btoran »

you guys are using olive oil, right? if not, the car is telling you to.
1975 Fiat 124 Spider
TX82FIAT
Posts: 1814
Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

Re: using the wrong nuts!

Post by TX82FIAT »

I did not see any dimples or rises in the pan when I looked it over and placed it on a flat surface. However, that is not to say that there were not any. Just that I did not see them. I think I'll live with the drip for a while since I just filled it up with GL1. I'll save the $4.00 in serated flange nuts for the next oil change. I did use the type 3 aviation sealer and like that stuf a lot for part assembly.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban
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