Nicked my pickup tube - OK?
 

So I was careful with the drilling and all went quite smoothly. I followed the FM instructions (looked up BEGI's, and read forum posts as well) for tapping and still managed to do this with the tap.:


http://flic.kr/p/9i2RnL

The picture looks a bit worse than it really is, and it's nothing like all the way through the tube (no hole) but I thought I'd see if you kids agree with me that it should be fine.

Everything I found said to run the tap in until there are 2 or 3 threads showing on the outside of the pan. I was at about 4 or 5 threads showing when it started to seem a little harder to turn. I didn't think much of it and gave it another half turn of the ratchet. When it didn't get any easier, I backed the tap out for a look and saw that it had taken a little chunk out of the pickup tube. I'm annoyed, but I think it will be OK. Anyone think otherwise?

It's not OK. Pull the motor, swap pick-up tubes.

Since my dumb-ass failed at posting the pic, how do you know? At least I don't see a pic. Seriously though, I don't see how there could be any harm. It's pretty minor.

Apparently it's my day to be a tard. I've posted inline images before but can't seem to make it work for me today.

I remember Joe saying he had "tap marks" on his. This might be a little too deep to call a tap mark but I'm guessing it's less than half the depth of the tube wall.

If it were mine to do, and the nicks are only halfway through, I would spray brakeclean onto the tube, mix a small batch of JB weld and patch over it with a small stick.

Hmmmmm....interesting idea. Is there a reason the integrity might be compromised if I do nothing? Will JB Weld hold up inside the oil pan?

I'd have pulled the motor and OP to drill the hole, but I'm funny like that.

Helpful.....

If I had it to do again, I would but more b/c of the clutch install.

Honestly, you should just replace the pick up tube, but if you refuse to pull the motor, the above is somewhat of a solution. You might want to use a Belzona or 3M product for quality. If it does fail to adhere it shouldn't cause a catastrophic failure and the oil screen should filter it out from being sucked in with the oil. You wont realize it until an oil change if it does fall out and by the time the oil pick up tube wall could have collapsed and MASS AMOUNTS OF AIR BUBBLES HAVE BEEN RUN THROUGH YOUR HELPLESS BEARINGS 0_0

cut a tiny hole in a straw and try to suck up some soda with the hole above the soda.

just so you dont feel as dumb...

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Oops, I responded twice to y8s.

Yes, I get that. If there was a hole - even a tiny one I wouldn't have posted this because I know what the solution is. Replace the tube.

This nick is between 1/32" & 1/16". I'm just trying to figure out if that tube is really so fragile that it might develop an issue as a result.

fuuuuuuck it :) Doesn't look TOO bad and the pick-up tube is supported in 2 or 3 different areas so it doesnt move at all meaning that nick area shouldnt crack over time. go for it man

I'm leaning this way. I just don't know if that thing is really thin and now in danger of collapsing or something.

There was a guy a while back that actually patched a hole in his tube with JB Weld. I don't think I'd do that but it worked out for him and this is less severe.

That makes me very nervous. The tube is not very thick to start with.

Yeah, it does me too, but what is the danger if there is no hole? Do these things collapse if weakened or something? Are they that fragile?

If I have to pull the engine I will, but I already haven't driven the thing in over a year and I'm having carpal tunnel surgery next week. So it would probably be fall before it's done if I have to go that route. Really hard to stay motivated with that prospect.

I'm mostly annoyed because I was being very slow and meticulous. I don't think I've ever tapped anything before so I just blindly followed the directions and this is what it got me.

Found it:

https://www.miataturbo.net/wtb-7/wtb-oil-pick-up-1-6l-29487/

Loki047 actually punctured his (there is a thread with pics somewhere - worse than mine but same weapon). He drove it for 2 years or more with no problems. I'm not saying it's the best solution, but it makes me think I might get away with it.

If I have to pull this fucker I'll be looking for a MS oil pan.

Just drive the damn car. If there is no hole, don't worry about it.

In 5000k pull the fitting and check it. If it hasn't "cracked" then seal it up and forget about it.