1990 Honda Accord DX, 2.2 L MT

I am really bummed today. I have been losing about a quart of oil every couple days so I decided to see if my oil sensor was leaking again. I accidentally tightened it too much and stripped the aluminum threads that the oil sensor screws into. Then I started my car and created a puddle of oil

Do you think it can be fixed by a mechanic for a reasonable price, or should I just use the money towards a down payment on another used car?

 

It sounds like you had a very serious leak before you tightened the sensor. Are you sure the sensor did not break?

A tap and die set with the proper threads may work. I think threads are some british standard thread? Maybe a helicoil?

 

I tightened the sensor to where it would just keep spinning, thinking it hadn't snugged up against the engine. I had just changed the oil too . The last oil sensor I replaced would cover part of the oil filter with oil. This one didn't but thought maybe it was running down the side of the engine.

 

A threaded hole can be repaired by drilling it out to a larger size and inserting a heli-coil or thread reducer into the new hole. It would be less expensive than buying a new car.

 

I'm with the other guys. Yes it can be fixed, and not for too much money. Not every mechanic's favorite thing to do, especially up under a car, but it can be done.

 

Thank you for the help. I am worried that some of the pieces of the stripped threads fell into the engine. Makes me wonder if the oil filter will be able catch them?