Sump Removal Problems

[Guest matty D]

Im trying to remove the sump from a Gti6 and have got all (as far as I can tell) the bolts out but its hanging on by the sealing compound. Is there a special knack of getting it off? Ive tried hitting with a nylon hammer, and leavering it but cant get anything in between.?

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

When you hit it, does it make a distinct "hollow" noise, or does it sound solid? If it sounds more solid, there is most likely a bolt in somewhere still. If it sounds hollow, its probably sealant, they can be difficult to part sometimes.

[Grim.Badger 15]

I had to lever mine but ended up damaging the spacer plate (1.9 GTi). Try and get a wallpaper scraper or thin butter knife in the gap. Once the seal is broken in one place you should be able to wiggle and hammer it off; try using a rubber hammer rather than nylon.

[Guest matty D]

Wow that was quick response! Thanks, Ill persevere then, just wanted to know I hadnt missed something stupid.

 

Out of interest, what is the sealant stuff for when I reassemble it?

 

TIA

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

I use Wurth black RTV silicone, others may have different preferred sealants but that works for me, whatever you use the main thing to to make sure the surface is clean and free of oil and grease, use some solvent cleaner to make sure.

[Bonzai 2]

for referance, there should be 23 bolts holding the sump on

[Grim.Badger 15]

When re-assembling use WD40 and W&D paper, then wipe clean with more WD40 and a cotton cloth, then use a clean cotton cloth to dry it out and remove any grit, make sure it is a cotton cloth not polyester or nylon as they won't dry it properly. Try and use an OE gasket if there was originally a gasket and don't use sealant and a gasket, only use sealant on its own (although other people on here will argue with me on that point). Leave any sealant at least 24h before adding oil to the car.

[welshpug 1,657]

spot on Mr Badger, though pug say they dont use gaskets any more you can still buy them if you give them the part number, but the GTi6 uses sealant anyway.

 

 

I rate Wurth sealant like Tom, but its not easy to get hold of as they do trade only, Meritor red sealant I have used without any problems.

[lagonda 42]

Used to have this problem with sump removal with my Fiat 500s (don't laugh until you've driven one, great little car). Found the best trick was to set up a jack and 18" tyre lever so that the end of the lever sat on top of a projection on the sump the bodywork acted as a fulcrum point, with the jack lifting on the other end of the lever. You then disappear for a cup of tea, drink it, return to car, and there's your sump on the ground. It was time rather than effort that did the job.

[Anthony 1,003]

If it's a GTi-6 sump, you have removed the bolts that hold the gearbox to the sump, haven't you (assuming the gearbox is attached to the engine still)?