Leaking Oil Drain Plug

[vf24renegade]

Hi All,
Just changed my oil and I now have a very slow dripping leak coming from my oil drain plug (didn't want to do the screen yet). Will at next oil change. Anyway, I don't dare torque it any further. I assume either there's a piece of grit under the washer or the washer itself is bad. In case I need a new one, are they readily available and where can I get one?
Thanks. I've asked many questions in this forum already and have received many helpful answers.

[kenb]

I would bet the drain plug gasket is available at the dealer. The manual recommends replacing the gasket each service. The dealership probably should and does replace them for leak prevention and more profit. The same gasket likely fits other models as well. Get a couple.

I have yet to remove the plug as I drain the oil from the screen access.

[recumbentbob]

My 08 does not have a drain plug gasket just a metal washer.

My friends 07 is the same way the dealer over torques the drain plug and deformed the washer and his dripped.

I bought a drain plug washer synthetic gasket at Ace hardware and put a little teflon tape on the plug threads and it doesn't leak anymore.

[macmac]

Uh oh... Clean the oil drain pan really well, Clean the screen plug bolt cap and area really well. Drain the oil there now. Cover that pan well or pour it into a clean jug.

Pull the other drain plug and inspect the treads on it, inspect the threads on the engine side. If either are damaged a bit buy a new drain plug. Wrap it like Bob did, with a new metal crushwasher install it and never touch it again.

Pre-filter the oil with a painters funnel made of paper and a mesh and put it back.

These plugs are made of a alloy intended to strip before the engine case does. But if you get ham fisted you can ruin the engine case threads too.

When that screen bolt stops so do you. No extra tightening required.

Before i stripped engine case threads i would prefer to dump my oil on the ground. You would know it. As the screen comes out LOOK at the order. Do not install it backwards!

[kenb]

[quote author=recumbentbob board=nomad thread=18873 post=285719 time=1280325947]My 08 does not have a drain plug gasket just a metal washer.

"technically" the metal washer is a gasket. It does crush slightly when tightened to seal. That is the reason it should be replaced at every change. The gasket/washer can only take so much tightening. But if you wanna use a regular washer, rubber gaskets and teflon tape on your drain plug, thats your choice. JM2C

[recumbentbob]

Originally Posted by KenBob

[quote author=recumbentbob board=nomad thread=18873 post=285719 time=1280325947]My 08 does not have a drain plug gasket just a metal washer.

"technically" the metal washer is a gasket. It does crush slightly when tightened to seal. That is the reason it should be replaced at every change. The gasket/washer can only take so much tightening. But if you wanna use a regular washer, rubber gaskets and teflon tape on your drain plug, thats your choice. JM2C

When you got the oil drained out of a friends bike, find the washer badly damaged, call the dealer and they don't have any washers in stock.

You make do with what is available and improvise.

Now you know the rest of the story........... :)

[Stump]

I change my oil at the drain plug all the time on my 01 and i have never had to change that crush washer yet , but i don't over torque it . If you change that crush washer , and you change your oil at the drain plug all you have to do is just be careful and don't over torque it , like i said i have done it that way for years nad never had a problem .

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by KenBob

I would bet the drain plug gasket is available at the dealer.

I'd wager my dealer doesn't have it. They didn't stock the radiator drain plug gasket or final drive washer. It's a Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki dealer who doesn't stock many of the usually needed little things for a Kaw. I don't even call and ask anymore. I just order a couple of each online and add to my stash.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I would definitely do as Mac said and change the oil using the drain that contains the oil screen. That way it gets all the old oil out plus you can clean any gook off the screen.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

I'd wager my dealer doesn't have it. They didn't stock the radiator drain plug gasket or final drive washer. It's a Honda, Yamaha, and Kawasaki dealer who doesn't stock many of the usually needed little things for a Kaw. I don't even call and ask anymore. I just order a couple of each online and add to my stash.

Oddly enough, that was one part my dealer did have in stock. They replaced the washer every time they changed my oil. They didn't carry exhaust gaskets or the right side cover (clutch cover) gasket.

Of course my dealer shut down several months ago, so it's a moot point now.