Fuck fuck fuck - stripped sump plug

[p.dath]

Striped my sump plug today.

Day started innocently enough. Went to jump onto KB. Oh that's right, down for maintenance. Checked with a couple of friends to see if anyone wants to come for a ride. Nope. Went to check for rides online, oh that's right.

Decide to change oil filter and oil. It's not quite due yet, but I'm going to an AMCC track day on the 17th, and given I had some free time, would rather do it now and have fresh oil before for track day.

I usually get semi-synthetic, but when I went to get some from Cycletreads the fully Synthetic Mobil was only about $15 more. So what the hell, get the good stuff. Day looking good so far.

Start the engine while I poodle around getting out all oil drain tray and tools and bits and pieces. Engine is nice and warm by the time I'm ready to start. Kill the engine and get to work.

I'm thinking the sump plug is really stuck on tight. At last, it starts to become free, and then I have a horrible relisation. I'm looking down on things, so I'm actually rotating the plug clockwise, not anti-clockwise.

Crap. Well I still manage to unscrew the plug, so that's a good sign. As I unscrew it there is little sliver flecks of metal. And when it finally comes out I can definately see a big chunk of ther thread is munted on it.

I have a spare bolt with the same thread, so I test it on the sump housing. To some relief, it still seems to screw in fine, and hold some force. So I'm hoping the sump thread is fine, and just the plug is fucked.

Off down to Cycletreads. Bugger bugger bugger. None in stock. Can't get a new one till next week. Try a couple of other places, but they are all closed, or don't have the right sump plug in stock.


So unfortunately, no riding for me for the next week. Right in the middle of this perfect weather, and while I am on leave from work.

Crap.

[steve_t]

Bugger bugger bugger. U gotta watch out for that righty tighty stuff! Hope your sump thread is OK. Stink timing. Maybe some duct tape til u get a new plug?

[The Everlasting]

Damm that sucks.

Haha how long would duct tape hold,about a minute?

[Spyke]

I think if you were really desperate you could jam a cork in the hole.

[Katman]

I have a spare bolt with the same thread, so I test it on the sump housing. To some relief, it still seems to screw in fine, and hold some force. So I'm hoping the sump thread is fine, and just the plug is fucked.
.

If you've managed to discover a sump plug that strips it's thread rather than stripping the alloy casting, let us know. I'm sure apprentices worldwide would breathe a sigh of relief.

[Grumpy]

Not sure if it's one of those urban myths or not but I seem to remember someone telling me that a sparkplug is the same thread so if ever your stuck and you can break the ceramic bit off it's a quick fix. So, urban myth or true? I don't want to test it on my bike but am curious.

[hayd3n]

your sump may need a helicoil(it puts a new thread into your sump)
it would pay to remove the sump as there could be more swatf in there

[bsasuper]

Fuck, Fuck, Fuck

with language like this its no fuckin wonder ya stripped it

if the sump thread is stuffed, its easily fuckin fixed though

[sosman]

Fuck, Fuck, Fuck

with language like this its no fuckin wonder ya stripped it

if the sump thread is stuffed, its easily fuckin fixed though

With language like that... I started reading the thread......lol

[T.W.R]

read this thread

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...-shit?p=740828

[CookMySock]

The part of the hyo sump that has the drain bung has a strainer housing behind it. The upside is, if you fuck the sump plug you just buy a new strainer housing and bolt it on and you are out of jail free.

Steve

[vifferman]

If you haven't already got some, get some teflon tape from Mitre 10 or wherever, and wrap it around the sump plug anti-clockwise looking at the plug from the hex end. (It should be wrapping around in the opposite direction to the way it screws in, so that the 'tail' isn't leading when you screw it in). Give it about three turns of tape. This will stop it leaking and should help stop it coming undone, and will also mean you can tighten the plug without inflicting further damage.
As the Katman says, it's very unlikely it's the plug that stripped - more'n likely you stripped the threads in the sump, which means you will need a thread insert (Helicoil or the like), as the sump is alloy and the plug steel. You can get away with doing this with the sump in place if the new thread for the insert is tapped with lots of grease, then the sump is flushed out with kero or whatever to wash the swarf out.

Good luck.

[p.dath]

Damm that sucks.

Haha how long would duct tape hold,about a minute?

About as long as it would to drain the oil out of the engine while it is running with no sump plug in.

If you've managed to discover a sump plug that strips it's thread rather than stripping the alloy casting, let us know. I'm sure apprentices worldwide would breathe a sigh of relief.

Crap. The thread on the sump plug itself is definately munted. It's quite obvious looking at the plug. I was kinda hoping the sump might be okay. Looks like the job just got bigger.

your sump may need a helicoil(it puts a new thread into your sump)
it would pay to remove the sump as there could be more swatf in there

I'll look into the helicoil. I might just give the new plug I've got ordered in a quick try first. The next service after this one is a major one, and I wont attempt to do that one myself (got to change the spark plug as well, which is an absolute bitch on my bike). I might see if I get lucky, and that it will last till then.

Crap. The more I think about it, I really should get that helicoil. Trying to do things the quick easy way usually makes it take much longer.

If you haven't already got some, get some teflon tape from Mitre 10 or wherever, and wrap it around the sump plug anti-clockwise looking at the plug from the hex end. (It should be wrapping around in the opposite direction to the way it screws in, so that the 'tail' isn't leading when you screw it in). Give it about three turns of tape. This will stop it leaking and should help stop it coming undone, and will also mean you can tighten the plug without inflicting further damage.
As the Katman says, it's very unlikely it's the plug that stripped - more'n likely you stripped the threads in the sump, which means you will need a thread insert (Helicoil or the like), as the sump is alloy and the plug steel. You can get away with doing this with the sump in place if the new thread for the insert is tapped with lots of grease, then the sump is flushed out with kero or whatever to wash the swarf out.

Another quick question. THe sump plug has only ever had a metal washer on it. I've always experienced a tiny amount of leakage. Not enough to cause an issue. I got a new metal washer, but I was wondering if it should also have some kind of rubber o-ring to help it seal? But then I was wondering if rubber might break down with the heat.
Your thoughts?

[steve_t]

About as long as it would to drain the oil out of the engine while it is running with no sump plug in.

Another quick question. THe sump plug has only ever had a metal washer on it. I've always experienced a tiny amount of leakage. Not enough to cause an issue. I got a new metal washer, but I was wondering if it should also have some kind of rubber o-ring to help it seal? But then I was wondering if rubber might break down with the heat.
Your thoughts?

LOL. Glad u realized I was only joking about the duct tape

Normally a sump plug gets a metal 'crush' washer which adapts well and does not leak. I'd hope a new one would be fine and stop your tiny leakage

[jafar]

Get a dowty washer (sp) from a engineering store & try that, they are made for high pressure & will cope with the temperature in your sump.