Help! sheared bolt on engine

[SeattleCommuter]

While trying to replace the thermostat on my 2007 Yaris sedan, I overtightened the nuts and the bolt on the engine sheared off. How do get the broken bolt out of the engine? Can it be removed from the outside by heating it with a torch and using vise grips on the remaining bolt stub?

Or, can I weld a new bolt onto the stub and add some washers?

[CTScott]

If that much is left, you should be able to get it out with vice grips.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Originally Posted by CTScott

If that much is left, you should be able to get it out with vice grips.

x2

[Bluevitz-rs]

Those are only like 6.6ft/lb. Just snugged basically. So in order to break them, they were WAY too tight.

[SeattleCommuter]

Originally Posted by CTScott

If that much is left, you should be able to get it out with vice grips.

So there's not a bolt head on the inside of the engine then? I'll try vice grips.

Originally Posted by Bluevitz-rs

Those are only like 6.6ft/lb. Just snugged basically. So in order to break them, they were WAY too tight.

Yes, I way overtightened the nut by mis-reading units on my torque wrench

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by SeattleCommuter

So there's not a bolt head on the inside of the engine then? I'll try vice grips.



Yes, I way overtightened the nut by mis-reading units on my torque wrench

Correct - Those are threaded studs, so on the end they have a tiny external torx head that you use a "E#" socket to remove.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by SeattleCommuter

Yes, I way overtightened the nut by mis-reading units on my torque wrench

I very seldom use a TW in 45 years of wrenching, but when I do, its my circa 1970 Sears beam type with a pointer rod that twists and points at a scale.

My Dad bought a factory rebuilt short block for a 69 Beetle he bought for me to fix with a blown engine. ($400) The first thing I did was drop a washer down the distributor drive shaft hole. I started taking the engine apart to get the washer.

After 10 minutes of that my friend Peter showed up, having heard about the rebuilt engine we were getting and wanting to see me put it in. When he saw me taking it apart he laughed and said "Here help me pick it up. Now turn it upside down and shake it."

The washer fell out!

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I very seldom use a TW in 45 years of wrenching, but when I do, its my circa 1970 Sears beam type with a pointer rod that twists and points at a scale.

My Dad bought a factory rebuilt short block for a 69 Beetle he bought for me to fix with a blown engine. ($400) The first thing I did was drop a washer down the distributor drive shaft hole. I started taking the engine apart to get the washer.

After 10 minutes of that my friend Peter showed up, having heard about the rebuilt engine we were getting and wanting to see me put it in. When he saw me taking it apart he laughed and said "Here help me pick it up. Now turn it upside down and shake it."

The washer fell out!

Great story!!