Primary drain plug leaking
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 16
From: Texas
Primary drain plug leaking
I encouraged my neighbor to get a service manual and do his own basic maintenance in his 02 super glide and it kinda bit me in the but.
He managed to get everything right except the primary drain plug is leaking. He said he didn't see a torque reference in manual and hand tightened it. I suggested using heavy teflon tape but didn't help much.
So is the primary shot or is there anything he can do to help seal it?
He managed to get everything right except the primary drain plug is leaking. He said he didn't see a torque reference in manual and hand tightened it. I suggested using heavy teflon tape but didn't help much.
So is the primary shot or is there anything he can do to help seal it?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
Good deed bit you in the ***... sucks.
Not really your problem if he cross threaded it, but if you really want to step in the **** again, you could suggest he tap in new threads and get the next size up screw.
Not really your problem if he cross threaded it, but if you really want to step in the **** again, you could suggest he tap in new threads and get the next size up screw.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 587
Likes: 312
From: here n there
I encouraged my neighbor to get a service manual and do his own basic maintenance in his 02 super glide and it kinda bit me in the but.
He managed to get everything right except the primary drain plug is leaking. He said he didn't see a torque reference in manual and hand tightened it. I suggested using heavy teflon tape but didn't help much.
So is the primary shot or is there anything he can do to help seal it?
He managed to get everything right except the primary drain plug is leaking. He said he didn't see a torque reference in manual and hand tightened it. I suggested using heavy teflon tape but didn't help much.
So is the primary shot or is there anything he can do to help seal it?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,428
Likes: 30,650
From: Pennsylvania
No good deed goes unpunished as the saying goes. 1. Hand tightened - could be not tight enough and leaking. 2. "O" ring could be shot and need to be replaced. 3. If he cannot find the torque in the manual he should not be wrenching on his bike. 4. Who knows what the issue is without seeing the drain plug - could have cracked the primary or just not gotten it tight enough.
A teachable moment: Take a torque wrench over and put the proper torque on it, if it moves it was too loose, if not maybe needs an O-ring. All three drain plugs take the same torque. All else fails, remove plug, drain, use lots of brake cleaner and use a mirror and a good light and inspect around the threads. Good Luck!
A teachable moment: Take a torque wrench over and put the proper torque on it, if it moves it was too loose, if not maybe needs an O-ring. All three drain plugs take the same torque. All else fails, remove plug, drain, use lots of brake cleaner and use a mirror and a good light and inspect around the threads. Good Luck!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 607
From: IE, CA
Pretty clear the 2 options. 1st and easy, replace the plug and o ring and it stops, that was the problem...
Its replaced still leaks, he cracked the case or fuggard the threads with a cross thread and he needs to step up $$$ for his lack of a calibrated elbow on a drain plug....
Its replaced still leaks, he cracked the case or fuggard the threads with a cross thread and he needs to step up $$$ for his lack of a calibrated elbow on a drain plug....
Last edited by Highwaymans; Jan 29, 2020 at 10:13 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 476
Likes: 133
From: BlueGrass
I encouraged my neighbor to get a service manual and do his own basic maintenance in his 02 super glide and it kinda bit me in the but.
He managed to get everything right except the primary drain plug is leaking. He said he didn't see a torque reference in manual and hand tightened it. I suggested using heavy teflon tape but didn't help much.
So is the primary shot or is there anything he can do to help seal it?
He managed to get everything right except the primary drain plug is leaking. He said he didn't see a torque reference in manual and hand tightened it. I suggested using heavy teflon tape but didn't help much.
So is the primary shot or is there anything he can do to help seal it?
Its not a taper thread that needs sealants, install new o-ring.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,697
Likes: 17,533
From: Driftless Area
In ascending order of cost:
If it's stripped, tap it to the next size and get a new size plug, or heli-coil it, or replace the cover.
If it's stripped, tap it to the next size and get a new size plug, or heli-coil it, or replace the cover.
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