Oops, pulled wrong plug
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From: Home is WV, but somehow ended up in Michigan
Oops, pulled wrong plug
Have a 2009 FXD with 4100 miles on it. I decided to change the oil since it had about 3100 miles on it. I looked underneath and found what I thought would be the drain plug for the engine. It is a allen plug about 5/16 in o.d. at the threads and is located towards the front right side of the engine on the bottom. Basically below the crank. Since the plug was on the right side I got on the bike after pulling the plug and tipped the bike to the right to drain the oil so I wasn't able to see how much came out but it was engine oil and it was dirty. I started to fill the engine through the dipstick and it overflowed after about a quart. Scratching my head and realizing I pulled the wrong plug I grabbed the manual and found the right one.
Anyone know what plug I pulled and did I screw anything up?
Anyone know what plug I pulled and did I screw anything up?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Hawaii
That is not the transmission plug like someone said, that's called a pipe plug, it is on the bottom of the crank case inline with the cone cover. I'm
not sure what it's for, maybe needed during the machining process. The oil that came out was indeed engine oil though.
not sure what it's for, maybe needed during the machining process. The oil that came out was indeed engine oil though.
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From: Home is WV, but somehow ended up in Michigan
Well, like Trex said it wasn't the trans plug which is located towards the back. This plug was all the way in the front of the engine and was a pipe plug. It's located directly below the crank. There does appear to be a sump there where the crank rotates. It with out a doubt was engine oil that came out.
Road Warrior
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This is the engine case drain plug.
The engine is a dry sump desigh and most of the oil gets sent back to the oil tank as the engine runs. There is always several ounces of oil in the very bottom of the case before it gets picked up. This is normal.
This plug is really not there to use for any normal service. It was probably real tight right?
Put it back in with at least blue locktight. Reasonably tight, don't pull these threads out. If this comes loose in service all the oil will leak out and ruin the engine. Crossthread this and mess up the case. Mainly leave it alone, not a service item.
The engine is a dry sump desigh and most of the oil gets sent back to the oil tank as the engine runs. There is always several ounces of oil in the very bottom of the case before it gets picked up. This is normal.
This plug is really not there to use for any normal service. It was probably real tight right?
Put it back in with at least blue locktight. Reasonably tight, don't pull these threads out. If this comes loose in service all the oil will leak out and ruin the engine. Crossthread this and mess up the case. Mainly leave it alone, not a service item.
Last edited by Old Gunny; Apr 22, 2010 at 08:20 AM.
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Old Gunny's right- it's a case drain that's best left alone. Only people I know who pull it are those who think it's necessary to get every last ounce of "old" oil out during an oil change. Crazy practice for zero gain...
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From: Home is WV, but somehow ended up in Michigan
This is the engine case drain plug.
The engine is a dry sump desigh and most of the oil gets sent back to the oil tank as the engine runs. There is always several ounces of oil in the very bottom of the case before it gets picked up. This is normal.
This plug is really not there to use for any normal service. It was probably real tight right?
Put it back in with at least blue locktight. Reasonably tight, don't pull these threads out. If this comes loose in service all the oil will leak out and ruin the engine. Crossthread this and mess up the case. Mainly leave it alone, not a service item.
The engine is a dry sump desigh and most of the oil gets sent back to the oil tank as the engine runs. There is always several ounces of oil in the very bottom of the case before it gets picked up. This is normal.
This plug is really not there to use for any normal service. It was probably real tight right?
Put it back in with at least blue locktight. Reasonably tight, don't pull these threads out. If this comes loose in service all the oil will leak out and ruin the engine. Crossthread this and mess up the case. Mainly leave it alone, not a service item.
Thanks everyone for your input. It was one of the best days in my life when I bought my Harley and one of the second best days I ever had when I joined this forum.
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