Hi

had a guy replace the water pump on my 2000 4.2, and in the process stripped the threading for the long bolt that runs through the water pump bracket/compressor bracket combined. (last bolt on the right of the water pump bracket)

there's enough bolts to hold the pump on, and looks like enough to hold the compressor on tight, but we couldn't get that one bolt back in at all, it just spins and won't get started.. the threads on the bolt itself look fine so assuming the threads inside the hole are stripped up

put the belts back on and drove it around for a while but i'm concerned that obviously the bolt that is now 'missing' is there for a good reason

just wondering if anyone has advice, i have an 8hr drive coming up next week and am nervous that i could do some serious damage without that bolt

the other question i have is, if the hole the bolt goes in, is screwed up.. what should i do, is it repairable if the threading inside is stripped?

thanks in advance

 

Not an actual photo but found this photo elsewhere, this is the bolt that is now missing.

 

I broke one 2 years ago have run 30K with no problem.