79 550 - Oil pan replacement

[kulchur]

I recently changed the oil on my '79 GS550 and stripped the threading out of drain plug hole (not the bolt). I was able to get it to my regular car mechanic, who does a little bike work but is by no means a pro, and he put in a self-tapping bolt. He was convinced it would hold until the next time I change the oil, at which point I'd need to get the hole re-drilled and move to a bigger bolt, but the pan is now leaking a few drops of oil a day. It's not a major leak and there are no cracks in the pan, but I do have a slowly spreading stain underneath the bike and it could blow out under pressure.

I can get an oil pan for about $30 on ebay. I haven't talked to my bike mechanic about re-threading my current pan yet, but I'm guessing it will cost a bit more than that. Is an oil pan replacement the kind of fix I can do myself?

[tom203]

Stripped oil pan drain bolt is very common- auto parts stores sell a helicoil type insert just for this purpose. I'm surprised your auto mechanic didn't go this route instead of jamming a oversize bolt in there- as this problem happens on cars all the time. The oil pan is not under pressure- it's just the gravity weight of oil which is small. For a quickee fix you could drain oil and add a gasket/oring under his bolt to stop leak.

[Guest]

I recently changed the oil on my '79 GS550 and stripped the threading out of drain plug hole (not the bolt). I was able to get it to my regular car mechanic, who does a little bike work but is by no means a pro, and he put in a self-tapping bolt. He was convinced it would hold until the next time I change the oil, at which point I'd need to get the hole re-drilled and move to a bigger bolt, but the pan is now leaking a few drops of oil a day. It's not a major leak and there are no cracks in the pan, but I do have a slowly spreading stain underneath the bike and it could blow out under pressure.

I can get an oil pan for about $30 on ebay. I haven't talked to my bike mechanic about re-threading my current pan yet, but I'm guessing it will cost a bit more than that. Is an oil pan replacement the kind of fix I can do myself?

Check your PM.

[koolaid_kid]

Straight off BassCliff's website: stripped oil drain plug repair

[cowboyup3371]

Make sure you put a new sealing washer/gasket to the drain plug. I have a few extra if you want, just shoot me a PM with your address

[Guest]

Wonder if he got my PM

[koolaid_kid]

Nope. Hasn't been on since 2:30.

[Guest]

Nope. Hasn't been on since 2:30.

Wonder if he knows where to check for PMs lol.

[koolaid_kid]

Wonder if he knows where to check for PMs lol.

Well, if he logs in again, he'll see the dialog box that takes him straight to the PM section.

[Guest]

Well, if he logs in again, he'll see the dialog box that takes him straight to the PM section.

Yup he got it...