Hello!

I had an oil leak from the pan gasket. Replaced it a few months ago and also installed a BSH lower engine mount. Well it started to leak again and I thought perhaps they just need to re torqued. I was very surprised that the first two I tightened were so loose. As I moved to the third it snapped.

Can I continue to use the car with one bolt snapped? I also read it should be 23 ft lbs of torque is that correct? Also, pardon my ignorance but I only have a in lb torque wrench. So, 23 ft lbs = 276 right?

 

Sorry 'bout that! 23lb-ft. is correct. Depending on the range of your lb-in torque wrench, it may be at the upper end of the scale and that's where the problem may be. They get inaccurate at the lower and upper end. You don't have too much choice other than to watch it and hope it doesn't leak. If it does, an EZ-out and threaded insert is your next option....Unless someone else has a better idea.

 

Yes, to convert ft-lbs to in-lbs, you just multiply by 12. A previous owner may have over-torqued and weakened the bolt. Keep a piece of paper under the car to see if it is leaking, but if not, it's not an urgent situation to replace it. As described, you'll need a drill bit and broken bolt extractor (Craftsman has them, Harbor Freight has a cheap one). If you can get it out without damaging the bolt threads, you shouldn't need a threaded insert.