Stripped Oil Plug

[SumDumGuy]

Well I went and did it. Stripped a F*&^@$G oil plug while doing an oil change today. The service manager at PEP Boys gave me a couple of possible remedies. 1. Try a self tapping single oversized plug. This would be the least expensive method. 2. Put in a helic (sp?) coil. Would have to buy a $50 kit. or 3. Buy a new oil pan. This is the most expensive option.

The threads on the oil pan appear to be fine as best I can tell. Its the threads on the plug that appear to have rolled over (flattened). My questions are: 1. Has any one else had this mis-fortune and had to try repair methods 1 or 2? If so, which would be the preferred repair method? 2. What is the drain plug size? The best I can tell it's a M12, 1.50 thread. Can someone confirm this? My preferred repair would be to buy a new standard plug and try it to see if it would work. Then move on to the other remedies in order of least to most expensive. Any other thoughts or ideas will be welcome.

TIA

Jim

[HOOKY]

Dude first and foremost BE VERY CAREFULL AS AN OIL LEAK IN FRONT OF YOUR REAR WHEEL IS NOT GOOD.

That being said, if your pan still has good threads......I would order the corect plug from hdl or Honda first and see how that works.
If that strips then don't play games and go for a new pan.

[VTX ED]

Jim, if the threads look good in the pan just try a new plug and if it doesn't screw in pretty easy run a tap in first to clean the threads up and it should be ok. Put grease on the tap to keep the chips from falling in the pan. I would try to get a drain plug whith a magnet on it which i'm going get before my next oil change anyway. Autozone has them but not sure if they have the size for the X.

[SumDumGuy]

Jim, if the threads look good in the pan just try a new plug and if it doesn't screw in pretty easy run a tap in first to clean the threads up and it should be ok. Put grease on the tap to keep the chips from falling in the pan.

This is tonights project. Didn't want to make any rash or rushed decisions last night. Just exploring other remedy options in case of the worst.

It seams strange that the steel plug threads would get messed up before the aluminum pan threads.

Jim

[Russ Ithaca VTX]

I agree with everyone's assessment; get a new plug and try that first. I also agree with Hooky about not screwing around with something that could, (a) potentially be life-threatening if you leaked oil and it got onto your tire while riding, and (b) a new pan is a small price to pay for the piece of mind knowing it's a permanent fix.

Also Jim, you need to stop working out and go easy on them wrenches! :D

[bobo116]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


Just be careful dude...

[mick114]

Also Jim, you need to stop working out and go easy on them wrenches! :D

Wise words from the muscle man himself, Jim, Russ says this only after he's lopped off a few in front of yours truly. Apparently Russ doesn't know his own strength either!

[Herbie]

I'd take the opportunity to 'spain to the wife that the bike is FUBAR and you'll have to buy another .... remind her that new X's come with new oil pan bolts and stuff .... Let me know how you make out ... :roll:

P.S. Having the bolt strip instead of the pan threads is a good thing ... obviously an oversight by Honda engineers ....

P.P.S. - no offense Jim, but don't be looking for a lot of invites to our Tech sessions ..... we have plenty of your kind of mechanical talent in the group as it is ... it's all Tros can do to avoid falling off his chair or cutting his finger on a beer pull tab .... :lol:

[kfc]

If you need a tap let me know which one. I have a pretty good size tap/die set. I could drop it in the mail, or it's a GOOD reason to ride up (not that there are any BAD reasons to ride). :tools1:

[Russ Ithaca VTX]

Also Jim, you need to stop working out and go easy on them wrenches! :D

Wise words from the muscle man himself, Jim, Russ says this only after he's lopped off a few in front of yours truly. Apparently Russ doesn't know his own strength either!

AAAHHH! That bolt had a flaw in it! The directions said 4000lb torque, so I went for it . . . without a torque wrench.

Sure did make a nice popping noise when it went though! :oops:

[Herbie]

If you need a tap let me know which one. I have a pretty good size tap/die set. I:tools1:

Jim ... don't believe KFC... I've talked to the Wendy and Carl's " Tap/die "set is not as large as he likes to let on ... :oops: :oops:

[SumDumGuy]

without a torque wrench

I normally don't use a torque wrench, but this time I did. That's why it got messed up. Don't use torque wrenches.

If you need a tap let me know which one. I have a pretty good size tap/die set

Thanks KFC....My father has a good selection of taps & dies that I need to rumage through. I'll let you know if I need them.

Jim

[kfc]

Jim ... don't believe KFC... I've talked to the Wendy and Carl's " Tap/die "set is not as large as he likes to let on ...

Berbie, there is something to be said for having the variety pack :wink: .