How deep can I drill? 2001 ec250 Shrouds, tank

[lynngarner]

I need to redo a couple of the holes in the black part of the gas tank where the radiator shrouds screw on. How deep can I safely drill into the black part of the tank to set new threads without penetrating the actual tank?

These holes should accommodate 6mm screws, right?

 

[gasgasman]

The holes really can't be drilled out. It's best to take a soldering gun and melt a black tie strap into the cavity.

 

[lynngarner]

Just trying to understand why the holes cannot be drilled out to receive a brass insert of some kind. 6mm is the correct size screw, right?

 

[Zman]

Unless the plug has been broken or pulled out I would just use a larger diameter screw. As I recall the plastic plugs you screws into are roughly about 1cm deep. The stock screws are a coarse thread screw (approx 4 or 5mm) like a wood screw without a sharp point. At 6mm it sounds like they holes are already oversized and stripped. I have used these products cut to length if the plug has fallen out. https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-th...mKGiauxdOp-mpm40XLn6kEFatfsRVRmcaAiUKEALw_wcB

The soldering iron is a good idea too but don't go too deep.