I have a 2008 Focus 1.6 TDCI. Today its gone in for a service and MOT. No problems. Apart from a bill for £160 to replace the sump as the threads are stripped? I believe there are only two causes for this. Overtightening and cross threading. The same dealership done the service and oil changes for last three years. Would i be right to assume this damage been caused by the technicians or put it down to wear and tear? Would be good to be armed with information before i pick it up tomorrow. They have had to keep it overnight as it wasnt completed despite being dropped off at 7.30 this morning. Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks

Does sound like overtightening to many times to me, stretching the threads. Should be tightened to 34nm which isnt very tight , but tight enough.

Thanks for the reply. Has anyone else had this problem?

Excuse my ignorance but why was the sump tampered with?

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I would imagine it was to remove the sump plug to drain the oil for the service.

I'd say that this can only be caused by the plug being over-tightened at some time, weakening the threads, so on the face of it you would seem to have a good case against them. However they could argue that it might have been tampered with between services, which would be impossible for you to disprove, or over-tightened at some time before they started doing the servicing. Nevertheless you haven't anything to lose so why not see if they'll meet you half way on the cost?

Thanks that's fantastic advice. I did think about arguing the case but was unsure whether id have a leg to stand on. But as you say they may consider meeting half the cost as I cant prove anything and neither can they and also the fact that its basically took two days to do the work. And as they're too busy to MOT it tomorrow and wanted to outsource it to a neighbouring garage. Which I don't feel is appropriate for a franchised dealer to do. The car definitely hasn't been touched by anyone other than them in the time I've owned it. They've done the last three services. Thanks. Feel much more confident standing my ground tomorrow.

Sorry,but in your original post it says sump not sump plug,am I being thick

No not being thick at all. The threads on the sump have been damaged when the sump plug has been removed to drain the oil.

In over 35 years I've never heard of a thread being stripped / damaged whilst the sump plug is being undone. . any damage normally occurs during the first / second turn of inserting the sump plug at an incorrect angle or over tightening. .

I've learnt something new !

This has happen to me as well, although I am probably the one to blame as I have done my own servicing for the past few years. In my case its the plug which has stripped threads, not the sump and so I over came this by using a thicker washer to move to the good part of the thread - at least until I get around to buying a new plug. It doesn't need to be tightened very tight at all, just enough to crush the washer.