Stripped drain bolt?

[RoadToRuin]

So I changed my oil and filter today but the drain bolt was really tight. So stupid me I reefed on it in the wrong direction and then it started spinning and only tightening up slightly. So i take it off and do everything I need to do and then take it out for a short ride. I noticed it was dripping a small amount after I got off. Just went back to check on it (3 1/2 hours later) and theres a small puddle not much bigger than a silver dollar. Also there was no gasket on the drain bolt.

Could it be that I just crushed the drain bolt gasket? When I removed the bolt I noticed there was broken threading around the drain bolt. Do I have to get it tapped for a bigger bolt? am I better off just ordering a whole new oil pan and bolt? cheaper than taking it into a shop to tap it? Should I go to the local hardware store for a gasket in the mean time? which means changing the oil all over again...

I'm working double shifts for the next 3 days so I don't have time to get anything done on it now, i'm hoping the leak stays small as it is, I don't have very far to go to work and no highway riding.

[ohgood]

that little leak might coat your rear tire, something to think about.

i'd just tap it to the next standard size myself, but i have access to metric / standard taps and a machine shop.

please be careful, don't want you growing flowers on your chest in the spring.

[tussey]

Next time torque it to the proper setting then you don't have to worry about stripping it. 15 -18 lb*ft.

If you have a manual torque wrench that requires you to read the dial just plop a mirror on the ground and use that to read the numbers on the wrench while you tighten the drain plug.

[sledge]

The cheapest and easiest solution.........Buy a used pan (ebay or breaker) and a new gasket (dealer).

[RoadToRuin]

Any tips for switching out the oil pans? Just drain the oil and take out the screws?
Can I get away with using the old gasket?

thanks

[fred]

Can I get away with using the old gasket?

It is unlikely. The old gasket is probably super brittle and will never seal if you try to re use it. Worse, it will probably be totally stuck, so you'll need to remove it with a razor blade and a lot of elbow grease. Good thing gaskets are cheap. If you're already getting a new oil pan, the gasket will not be a major portion of your total cost.. Besides, why bother putting on the old gasket when it would probably just fail and make you do the whole thing all over again?

[Kaizer]

Based on my similar experience, get a WHOLE new pan and bolt. saves you a lot of problems. just my 2 cents worth.

[RoadToRuin]

Ah I just booked an appointment to have a heli installed. It's the quickest and easiest option right now, and besides I think I'm going to upgrade to a newer bike this year or early next year. thanks for the input.

[sledge]

The pan has to come off to fit a helicoil........ so the gasket will still have to be replaced.