Bought a 1990 GS. Need some oil leak input. (Solved)

[Esih]

So far I'm pretty happy with the bike.

10k miles, runs & rides terrific. The paint is totally faded, I'm positive the bike was stored outside for some time, lots of simple surface rust spots on bolts etc, but nothing major. All the electronics/lights/brakes work flawlessly. BUT...


It was leaking oil out of the cover due to a home depot bolt job and a worn o-ring. Easily fixed with the proper studs/nuts/o-ring.


But now i've noticed there is a very slow leak (only after the engine has been shut off after warming up, doesn't appear to leak while the engine is running) out of the drain plug bolt. And once it cools, the leak stops, but I'd like to seal it up. I'm going to assume the pan bolt is either not tight enough, or overtightened (I'm betting the latter is the case) and a thread is stripped in the pan causing a slow leak.



I've seen a bunch of posts regarding this matter, more than likely I'll end up just replacing the pan.


Anyone care to offer some input before I start wrenching?

[hmmmnz]

if your thread is stuffed, you could use a helicoil kit, butthese are expesive, and personly i havent had muck luck with them, or you could just retap 1 size larger and get a new bolt. if its not the thread, then just slap an oring on there and that'll probly cure the problem
good luck

[scratch]

What about intalling a new crush washer on the drain plug?

[Esih]

I think I'm going to start with a new crush washer, today I'll see if the bolt will thread out.


Perhaps if the bolt will thread out easily it may not be stripped at all.

[NightRyder]

Perhaps perhaps indeed. If you stick a pair of purple socks on your ears while taking it out, there is a 72.6% greater chance it will not be stripped. Oh, redmond, wa eh.. Yay another seattle area rider.

[Esih]

Pulled the plug, doesn't appear to be stripped at all. The crush washer was in sorry shape though so I'm going to pick up a new one to see if that does it.


No purple socks were used in the removal of the bolt.




UPDATE: Fixed. New crush washer did the trick, thanks scratch!