My neighbors 2007 Harley Softail's primary drain plug was evidently overtightened and now will not tighten much beyond hand tight. He put an oversized o ring and white teflon tape on it and tightened as best he could today.

Seemed to hold but still a bit risky. For those of you who have faced this, what did you do to repair it?

Thanks in advance,

SUP

 

Pretty sure the fix is a helicoil insert. They also make oversized drain plugs.

 

I wouldn't use Teflon! It can get into the engine.

 

Did not think about the teflon. Will get him to correct it. I agree the helicoil insert is probably the way to go.


SUP

 

Maybe try a new drain plug? Just in case.

 

If the primary is a sealed unit of it's own, how would a sliver or piece of Teflon tape get in the engine. I use pipe thread sealant on the plugs on my bikes that don't have an "o" ring for it.The case is typically aluminum and the plug is steel. The helicoil is the best idea for now. Caution, the threaded area on the case may have very small stress cracks in it now.

 

Ooops was thinking engine oil the whole time!

 

Teflon tape is harmless, as long as it remains wound around the threads. I had an engine drain plug that was stripped 20 years ago (thanks Mr. Dealership,) I probably put close to a half mile of tape on that plug over the next 18 years, and several hundred thousand miles, without a drip, ever. But, you can probably get a tap and another plug. I'd refrain from the heli-coil as the threaded insert may rise above the internal case surface thus retaining oil that should drain.

 

I just had this happen on my 2010 Ultra Classic on the primary drain plug. I wound up using a one size over Dorman piggy back plug. It is a plug within a plug so to speak. I used red Loctite on the main plug that went into the primary to hold it into place and a little liquid teflon on the actual drain plug that screwed into it.

So far so good.

 

I am paranoid person. Hand tight with sealants would make me nervous. I am to lazy to look. On the 6 speed, if the drain is in the inner primary, might excuse to buy inner chrome primary to match outer. Not sure what they cost. As said drilled out and bigger plug is the other, probably best of the cheaper options, IMO.

What I don't like about primary leaks, is no quick way to check oil level. You could argue everything with oil should have a dipstick or site glass.