I have oil leaking from the VVT solenoid because the 10mm bolt is stripped. It leaks a lot when the engine is running. The seal seem to be be good, it is just a problem with the bolt being stripped. I was thinking of getting a larger size self tapping bolt and try that, or J B Weld the VVT in. Can the part of the engine where the two VVT solenoids bolt into be replaced. Need to get this fix on my son's HHR so I can get my truck back from him. Any Ideas? Thanks in advanced for any suggestions.

 

Try retreading the cylinder head and put in a new bolt.

 

You can rethread with a slightly larger bolt or you can buy a Heli-coil kit and still use the proper bolt.

 

A thread repair kit would likely be best. There are several different manufacturer's; helicoil, timesert, E-Z Lok, Bigserts, Keensert, etc. Just make absolutely certain that you do not get aluminum shavings inside the solenoid cavity. watch some youtubes on repairnig threads or take the entire car to a machineshop and let them do it. You might want to use a torque wrench when working on a car..

 

Heli-coils preserve more material.

A JBweld job should be fine because little force is needed to retain the solenoid.