Broke bolt won't budge?

Question

Changing the thermostat and a siezed bolt broke. Tried an EZ out and pb blaster. Tried a left hand drill bit. None of these worked.

I know applying a torch will sometimes work, but all I have is a propane one and I don't think that will get it hot enough.

Any other ideas or tricks or is my last resort getting a Heli coil?

Answer 1

if a easy out will not do it the extractor won't do it your propane may be enough to get it out but it sounds as if the helicoil is the way to go

Answer 2

what i will do sometimes if its broke off flush or so short i cant get to it is first take my time and use a dremel with a pointy grinding tip to get a hole started in the exact center of the bolt ... then very carefully drill straight down into it wit a bit just smaller than the threads .... this will usually let an easy out of appropriate size snag the rest .... if not then i will drill out the rest and use a tap to rethread it the next size up .... im not good enough with a welder to tack on a nut unless the bolt is sticking up quite a bit but yeah, thats how ive done it many a time, the dremel/drill/eazyout or tap method
...dont forget to soak it good with wd40 or liquidwrench

Answer 3

Try MAPP gas. It burns hotter than propane. You should be able to use your propane hardware on a disposable MAPP bottle. Heat and let cool several times. The thermal expansion and contraction may help loosen up the bolt. Then heat again and try the easy out.

Answer 4

No propane won't cut it. If you haven't ruined the hole yet your best bet it to have someone weld a nut to what's left of the bolt. The heat will loosen the connection and the new nut will make it easy to wrench off. I do it all the time...In the shop.

Answer 5

Do you have a welder ? If you have a welder then weld another bolt to the one that is broken off. Use some penetrating oil on the bolt before you weld the other to it. We had pretty good luck doing this at the aviation company I worked for.......... otherwise the helicoil repair is your only option. Good luck !

Answer 6

i've had the same sitiuationmy bolt broke wre I couldn't do nothing but used a eas out and it broke then I drilled it and broke and dulled many drill bits it was so wallerd out it was impossible to fix then I got a idea and put a bolt upside down in it worked but the faceing was ruined so I J>B weld it ..to this day it is still intack but let it dry and smooth it before assemble it together good luck!!! also my helicoil broke and couldn't get it out before i j>b weld it.

Answer 7

propane torch can help but u will have to keep the tip of the blue flame on it for a while to get it hot enough. used it many times to free up rusted/seized caliper guide pins.

Answer 8

Sears carries a broken bolt extractor for around $20.00. I have used it before and it works well.