Stripped Oil Pan Bolt (not plug bolt)

[Matt98svt]

So my 2007 4.0l V6 has had a noticeable oil leak from the back of the engine for awhile. Always contributed it to the rear main seal as it has 225k on it. Well recently had a new (used replacement) transmission put in and the rear main seal replaced and still had the leak. Decided to change out the oil pan gasket but first thought i would check to see if all the bolts were snug only to find a stripped out bolt on the back row of bolts holding the pan tot he block. Need to correct this before putting in the new gasket and trying to decide if I should put in a helicoil (which i have never done) or drill out the threads and tap a larger bolt to go in? Any advice on repairing this and what size helicoil i should look at installing?

 

[Mbrooks420]

You’d use the helicoil that matched the factory size bolt. Oil pans are low torque, it should be an easy repair. I’d probably use a Time-sert style and Loc-tite.