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Hi all,
changed the oil recently on my bike, and had to discover that PO overtightened the oil drain screw, and stripped the oil pan's threads. I have now a temporary fix in place (teflon tape), but I'm not sure which route I should go regarding a permanent fix. I have currently these options in mind:
1. Tap a new thread, one size higher:
I have tapped a thread exactly once in my life so far. I don't know how to make sure I get the tap exactly perpendicular into the oil pan while its still mounted – I assume this is necessary, otherwise the drain screw won't seal properly. Or am I wrong? Is there some leeway or trick (Copper washer...)?
2. Replace the oil pan.
Would require me to take off the exhausts, which I'm not that keen to do on this bike, as there is another PO repair present at one of the exhaust collars (see pictures below).
Upside would be I could check the screen at the bottom in the same go, and clean if necessary.
I have a new oil pan (from a '77 550, IIRC these fit) & gasket ready, and can get a tap and fitting screw on relatively short notice, so economically there isn't much difference.
Tangentially:
a) Is there a torque specification on the oil drain screw? Or just "don't be stupid"?
b) Why did Suzuki decide to go with a weird pitch thread on the oil drain screw? I measure M14x1.25 ("regular" ISO would define M14x2 for coarse, M14x1.5 for fine). Vibration resistance?
Now for some pictures to round off the call for education. Please ignore the dirt on the bike, I just don't have the time for aesthetics at the moment. Click the pictures to get full size.
Incontinence!
...that might not look like much here, but it's worse.
Lay down please. I don't want to change your oil all the time. Also, you like it that way, dontcha.
Hmmm, that's no Helicoil.
If you click through to full size, you can see a stripped thread in its natural habitat. Wait, these are unnatural, THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS THERE!
Also, funky FX because I got oil on my lens. Luckily, these phone cameras clean up easily.
INTERMISSION: Wound some teflon tape around the drain screw, and carefully screwed it back in – it has a tiny weeny bit of thread left where it can hold on. No pictures of that unfortunately, too immersed in work.
This picture has been taken after a ~20min ride home. It looks like the temporary fix holds up for the time being.
And this here is why I'm not keen on taking off the exhausts. Who knows how this PO fix will hold up to a remove/remount cycle?
changed the oil recently on my bike, and had to discover that PO overtightened the oil drain screw, and stripped the oil pan's threads. I have now a temporary fix in place (teflon tape), but I'm not sure which route I should go regarding a permanent fix. I have currently these options in mind:
1. Tap a new thread, one size higher:
I have tapped a thread exactly once in my life so far. I don't know how to make sure I get the tap exactly perpendicular into the oil pan while its still mounted – I assume this is necessary, otherwise the drain screw won't seal properly. Or am I wrong? Is there some leeway or trick (Copper washer...)?
2. Replace the oil pan.
Would require me to take off the exhausts, which I'm not that keen to do on this bike, as there is another PO repair present at one of the exhaust collars (see pictures below).
Upside would be I could check the screen at the bottom in the same go, and clean if necessary.
I have a new oil pan (from a '77 550, IIRC these fit) & gasket ready, and can get a tap and fitting screw on relatively short notice, so economically there isn't much difference.
Tangentially:
a) Is there a torque specification on the oil drain screw? Or just "don't be stupid"?
b) Why did Suzuki decide to go with a weird pitch thread on the oil drain screw? I measure M14x1.25 ("regular" ISO would define M14x2 for coarse, M14x1.5 for fine). Vibration resistance?
Now for some pictures to round off the call for education. Please ignore the dirt on the bike, I just don't have the time for aesthetics at the moment. Click the pictures to get full size.
Incontinence!
...that might not look like much here, but it's worse.
Lay down please. I don't want to change your oil all the time. Also, you like it that way, dontcha.
Hmmm, that's no Helicoil.
If you click through to full size, you can see a stripped thread in its natural habitat. Wait, these are unnatural, THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS THERE!
Also, funky FX because I got oil on my lens. Luckily, these phone cameras clean up easily.
INTERMISSION: Wound some teflon tape around the drain screw, and carefully screwed it back in – it has a tiny weeny bit of thread left where it can hold on. No pictures of that unfortunately, too immersed in work.
This picture has been taken after a ~20min ride home. It looks like the temporary fix holds up for the time being.
And this here is why I'm not keen on taking off the exhausts. Who knows how this PO fix will hold up to a remove/remount cycle?
and 77 GS750 with 850 top end, GS850g, and my eldest sons 78 GS550, youngest sons GS125. Project bike 79 GS1000N
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