Stripped Thread in AGT Hydraulic Tank Filter Flange

[Suburban Plowboy]

I finally had time to change the hydraulic oil in my AGT QK16R. People said the Chinese factory fluid could be used fryer oil for all anyone knew, so I chose Traveller. I was under the impression that the tank drain was situated so it could be swung over a bucket by rotating the cab, but I saw people on Youtube taking panels off, so I settled for an oil sucker.

The tank has a screen in the filler hole, and the screen is held in by 4 socket-head cap screws. Three came out and went back in just fine, but the fourth hole stripped with just about zero effort.

I ran the excavator, and oil seeps out under the filter flange, so something has to be done.

I guess I'll have to tap it for a bigger screw. Some bits of metal will go into the tank, but then even a Chinese filter ought to be able to trap debris that size.

I'm not asking for help. I'm just here to express amazement that this got by the crack QC technicians of the People's Republic of China.

 

[LouNY]

Using heavy grease on the drill bit and tap and wiping and replacing will trap most of the shavings.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

It's even weirder than I thought. The SCREW is stripped. I have to see if Tractor Supply has 4 M4x12mm's.

Who makes a screw that strips under light pressure? Nobody does that.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Thanks for the tip anyway. Good idea.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

I bought the new screws, and they don't want to go into the holes. I used a thread gauge to check, and the old and new screws all look like M4. I guess I'll have to be brave and use a tap. I think there are bits of broken screw threads obstructing the holes.