Another problem, now with oil drain plug

my00forest · August 29, 2005, 07:38:12 PM

well i was changing my oil the other day and after i had finished i was screwing the drain plug back in and when i got to where the end of the threads the bolt just kept turning, and i wasn't even cranking that hard. is this something that happens when the drain plug threads strip. please tell me the threads on the oil pan are much stronger than the ones on the bolt. i am kinda afraid to take it off and see but my bike doesnt run now anyway so i might as well be dissapointed one more time

MKIV · August 29, 2005, 09:28:13 PM

Could be either or. I am guessing the bolt is the culprit. Worst case scenario you will need to chase some threads.. No big deal! Pull it back apart and take a look.

my00forest · August 29, 2005, 09:37:40 PM

yeah, lucky for me my bike isn't gonna be moving any time soon

MKIV · August 29, 2005, 09:40:52 PM

Quote from: my00forestyeah, lucky for me my bike isn't gonna be moving any time soon

What's up with it?

my00forest · August 29, 2005, 09:58:07 PM

i have no idea right now. i am waiting on the valve adjusting kit thats on the east coast to come around but i think it may be a while. i have been having problems with it since may and have been unable to fully diagnos the problem. it was gonna go into the shop at ray wilt in hanover on friday but now my car needs attention and money that seems to be in short supply now.
http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20085&highlight= this page has most of the problems on it

MKIV · August 29, 2005, 10:20:09 PM

Quote from: my00foresti have no idea right now. i am waiting on the valve adjusting kit thats on the east coast to come around but i think it may be a while. i have been having problems with it since may and have been unable to fully diagnos the problem. it was gonna go into the shop at ray wilt in hanover on friday but now my car needs attention and money that seems to be in short supply now.
http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20085&highlight= this page has most of the problems on it

I'm due for a valve adjustment as well, I have a lot of noise at idle and think the clearances are too loose. Other than that I have no issues besides the busted headligh and tach.. damned curbs.. As soon as I get off my ass and roll the bike into the basement, I'll bust out the caliper and feeler gauges to see what shims I need. The head had a screwed up valve before I bought the bike, so I'll try and find out what symptoms it had for ya.

Gisser · August 29, 2005, 10:35:15 PM

Quote from: my00forestplease tell me the threads on the oil pan are much stronger than the ones on the bolt.

Sorry, the drain plug is made of steel; the oil pan is made of aluminum.

Thread repair kits are spendy, but you can tap it out to the next size or just get another or a new oil pan.

richard · August 30, 2005, 08:44:07 AM

Yeah... just, whatever you do, don't ride it 'til you fix that problem.

Bad things can happen when the drain plug falls out, say, on the freeway at around 75mph....

don't ask me how I know...

my00forest · August 30, 2005, 12:26:24 PM

yeah i wasn't planning on driving the bike till then. guess i'll be buying a new one of them too. whats next, maybe i should just buy a new bike one of my friends is selling a ducati monster, hmmm sounds like another loan to me

.

MPA · August 30, 2005, 12:42:21 PM

I know that w/ most cars they sell +1 sized drain plugs that will also cut new threads in the oil pan. Maybe you can bring your plug to an auto store and find one of those.

my00forest · August 30, 2005, 01:30:47 PM

hmm, that sounds a lot cheaper than buying a new pan and plug

ktrim · August 30, 2005, 07:58:36 PM

be careful with an oversized plug, the oilpan is aluminum and will crack easily. what I have done in the past is, removed the pan, clean it very well with carb cleaner or parts cleaner (don't use gas unless you're rich!!). apply jb-weld to the threads, filling it in smaller then the plug. let it dry for a couple days. get a tap and drill bit for the stock sized plug, and drill and tap it again. I have done this on several dirt bikes, street bikes and cars with aluminum pans. it works very well. I've never had one leak or come out on its own. you could also heli-coil it, but the kits are expensive.

my00forest · August 31, 2005, 07:01:17 AM

i think when i get around to it i'm just gonna go ahead and replace the pan, plug and gasket while i'm at it. i have a little leak anyway so might as well start replacing things to find it. does anything have to be moved in order to drop the pan (the exhaust or anything)

Hi-T · August 31, 2005, 01:28:32 PM

Quote from: richardYeah... just, whatever you do, don't ride it 'til you fix that problem.

Bad things can happen when the drain plug falls out, say, on the freeway at around 75mph....

don't ask me how I know...

Holy Crap- It's Richard!!

Thread jack - How's it going? End Thread jack.

jake42 · August 31, 2005, 09:33:45 PM

speaking from experience. A new pan, gasket, and plug cost me 41 bucks from ron ayers. best estimate i could get for a helicoil was 30-35 bucks and no gurantees.

buy yourself a cheap torque wrench for tightening, I think it's only like 18ftlb or something and make sure the threads are lined up when you start.

jake

News:

Another problem, now with oil drain plug