The good and the bad of today

[Kratzer]

I got my new stator and choke cable, and installed them both.

My voltage checks out, and my choke is set perfectly.

Thats the good.

The bad is this however. I drained the oil to do the stator replacement, and changed the oil filter. Well, unfortunately for me, the PO stripped one of the studs that holds the oil filter cap on. So I thought I had it tight and started...but the entire time it ran, there was a steady stream of oil from the cap. So I only let it run until I noticed this and it only ran for like a minute. It had oil lots of oil in the pan when I stopped it, like it was only down a quart maybe. Hopefully nothing is burnt. I imagine it still had oil running through it, but still. I also was having a heck of a time getting that gasket to stay in place. So it could have shifted on me.

Now for the technical questions- I don't like the way that that cap installs. Can I remove the studs and put in some old fashion bolts?

Has anyone ever replaced one of those studs? Is it impossible?

[Steve]

Yes, you can install bolts, but be aware that every time you change the oil, you will be wearing out those threads in the aluminum case just a little more.

These threads that are stripped...are they on the stud or in the hole that the stud threads into?
I would rather repair the threads, install new studs with some thead locker and use them. 8-[

.

[Kratzer]

They are on the stud. Maybe just replace the stud? Where could I find them online, that is not bikebandit.com. I just had a really bad run in with them.

You think my engine is ok probably? It ran nicely. Not that that means much.

[marvinsc]

The engine will be just fine, many have run longer with less Lubricant. The studs are still available from suzuki I think but can be bought elsewhere as well.

[Kratzer]

Thats a good word.

I think I will get the from the local shop- support the micro economy.

Any tricks to get those out other than vise grips and prayer?

[marvinsc]

Thats a good word.

I think I will get the from the local shop- support the micro economy.

Any tricks to get those out other than vise grips and prayer?

I have heard that CAREFULLY heating the head around the studs helps.

[Smokinapankake]

Or, if you prefer bolts over studs, you could pull all three and replace them with Heli-coils, allowing you to use bolts and not wear the original aluminum threads....

[BassCliff]

Mop please!

Hi Mr. Kratzer

Remember, those acorn nuts don't have to be very tight. I stripped one of my acorn nuts recently. I went ahead an ordered a set of acorn nuts, studs and washers. As it turns out, it seems the acorn nuts are a little softer than the studs. Once I put on a new acorn nut, all was well. I'm keeping an eye on it though. It sure makes a mess on the garage floor.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[bwringer]

Or, if you prefer bolts over studs, you could pull all three and replace them with Heli-coils, allowing you to use bolts and not wear the original aluminum threads....

I've considered this, but I wasn't sure there was enough aluminum thickness in that area to safely drill, tap, and hold a thread insert. YMMV, though -- it's tough to tell.

Also, there are much better thread inserts available than Helicoils. Helis are the most common, but junk in my experience if you need to use them more than once.

Since the Suzuki studs seem to be made of pressed Parmesan cheese, sawdust, and mouse droppings, I usually replace them with stainless steel studs from McMaster-Carr. http://mcmaster.com

You definitely do NOT want to use bolts except in an emergency -- as others have noted, in about 5 - 10 oil changes you'll wear out the aluminum threads and then you'll really have a problem.

These studs strip out on every GS. Welcome to the club! :-D

[jbs80106]

good link!

Since the Suzuki studs seem to be made of pressed Parmesan cheese, sawdust, and mouse droppings, I usually replace them with stainless steel studs from McMaster-Carr. http://mcmaster.com

Do you know off hand the size (I think 8mm), length and threads (40?) for the stainless ones? My filter cover is currently held on with hex-head bolts.

thanks!

[Escobarclan]

kinda strange i'm gonna write about this again, but if you have a stripping problem, harden the metal. it works like a dream, get the studs or nuts or bolts glowing with a hand torch, or you can use a propane gas grill flame, then drop the red hot metal into water to cool it off quickly. then aneal the metal by getting it glowing again and letting it cool down by itself. the metal gets so hard you have to really try to strip the threads. hope this helps.