Oil drain bolt not tightening to specified torque - SV650.org

06-04-05, 08:13 PM

Hello folks.

Done a quick oil change on the bike tonight, but when it came the time to put the oil drain bolt back and tighten it to the specified settings it just wouldn't.

The bolt would get tighter and tighter and then losen up again. I noticed a bit of thread on top of the bolt when it came out, and as a stop gap tightened the bolt to where it felt the hardest to turn.

So, should I be worrying?

Biker Biggles · 06-04-05, 08:33 PM

You have stripped the thread and you will need to get it tapped.If you cant tighten the plug properly it could come undone and dump the oil.One wrecked engine.I dont think its a difficult job with the right gear but it needs looking at.

Red ones · 06-04-05, 08:34 PM

If it gets tighter and tigher, then slackens - you have stripped the thread! Probably only on the bolt and not in the block.

Oil drain bolts aren't that important when it comes to torque - whack them in hand tight then add a half turn with a 6' spanner. As long as it doesn't work loose it'll be fine. Compare that with the filter - hand tight will do.

On both the the drain bolt and the filter the real work is done by the seal.

06-04-05, 08:47 PM

It's knackered.....

Richie · 06-04-05, 08:57 PM

Quick one.... This may sound silly BUT... is the copper washer on the drain bolt... if not then you might be in luck and not have stripped it....
hope this helps..
p.s. mine fell into the oil before I knew it fell off..... only when draining the oil from the catch tray I found the copper washer...

06-04-05, 09:09 PM

Every time you take the drain plug off you should replace the washer anyway.

For the sake of 30p or so it'll save you stripping the thread.

Richie · 06-04-05, 09:16 PM

just re-aneel it. heat it to cherry red then let it cool.

06-04-05, 09:16 PM

Great not only do I need retapping, now I need a copper washer too... I couldn't feel more gutted if I wanted to. Oh, I can already hear the laughs that the next mechanic that sees the bike is going to make. Him and his bank manager...

Red ones · 06-04-05, 09:26 PM

Have a good look at the sump and the plug - you may get away with a new plug and washer - if you ask nicely at a local garage they may even give you that for nothing!

06-04-05, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red ones

hand tight then add a half turn with a 6' spanner.

Where the heck do you get hold of a 6 foot spanner

and why use it on the sump plug?

06-04-05, 08:13 PM	#1
Raf Guest Posts: n/a	Oil drain bolt not tightening to specified torque Hello folks. Done a quick oil change on the bike tonight, but when it came the time to put the oil drain bolt back and tighten it to the specified settings it just wouldn't. The bolt would get tighter and tighter and then losen up again. I noticed a bit of thread on top of the bolt when it came out, and as a stop gap tightened the bolt to where it felt the hardest to turn. So, should I be worrying?

06-04-05, 08:57 PM	#5
Richie fantabulas Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nr Durham Posts: 4,940	Quick one.... This may sound silly BUT... is the copper washer on the drain bolt... if not then you might be in luck and not have stripped it.... hope this helps.. p.s. mine fell into the oil before I knew it fell off..... only when draining the oil from the catch tray I found the copper washer... __________________ My Flickr photos

06-04-05, 09:16 PM	#7
Richie fantabulas Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nr Durham Posts: 4,940	just re-aneel it. heat it to cherry red then let it cool. __________________ My Flickr photos

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Oil drain bolt woes	DANINPLYMOUTH	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	7	14-04-09 04:06 PM
Yoke pinch bolt torque?	Ruthja2801	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	11	08-03-09 10:03 PM
Torque Settings - Spark Plugs & Oil Drain Bolt	COLZO	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	4	18-02-09 10:13 PM
Dump sump/ Drain bolt	malongworth	Stuff Wanted	2	13-05-08 02:32 PM
Torque arm bolt	yorkie_chris	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	14	18-03-08 07:38 PM

06-04-05, 08:33 PM	#2
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	You have stripped the thread and you will need to get it tapped.If you cant tighten the plug properly it could come undone and dump the oil.One wrecked engine.I dont think its a difficult job with the right gear but it needs looking at.

06-04-05, 08:34 PM	#3
Red ones Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 1,422	If it gets tighter and tigher, then slackens - you have stripped the thread! Probably only on the bolt and not in the block. Oil drain bolts aren't that important when it comes to torque - whack them in hand tight then add a half turn with a 6' spanner. As long as it doesn't work loose it'll be fine. Compare that with the filter - hand tight will do. On both the the drain bolt and the filter the real work is done by the seal.

06-04-05, 08:47 PM	#4
BURNER Guest Posts: n/a	It's knackered.....

06-04-05, 09:09 PM	#6
K Guest Posts: n/a	Every time you take the drain plug off you should replace the washer anyway. For the sake of 30p or so it'll save you stripping the thread.

06-04-05, 09:26 PM	#9
Red ones Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 1,422	Have a good look at the sump and the plug - you may get away with a new plug and washer - if you ask nicely at a local garage they may even give you that for nothing!