Dealer Oil Change and Service
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 196
Likes: 17
From: Central Coast California
Teflon tape is for tapered threads. Drain plugs have straight threads. Also, the threads on drain plugs are not designed to "seal". That's what the O-ring is for. You can put whatever you want on the drain plug threads and the oil will never touch it if the O-ring is doing its job.
McMaster-Carr has the exact replacement O-rings [part #9452K57]. A package of 100 is only $2.76. After tax that is around 3 cents each. There is no reason to ever re-use an O-ring. Despite how they look when you remove the drain plug, the O-ring will have taken a partial 'set' during it former use. Replace it.
If you can wrap Teflon tape on straight threads and have it actually stay in place when you assemble the part, the thread fit is loose and the tape is not going to do anything useful.
Teflon "paste" can be useful as an anti-seize compound on straight threads. Use it or don't. Your choice. Just use it sparingly. Harley used it on both of my 2014 bikes' drain plugs when new. But it wasn't to seal the oil.
The use of Loctite [blue or otherwise] on every H-D thread is also misguided thinking but that is a topic for a later discussion. Proper thread fit and proper torque, etc. are the solution most times.
McMaster-Carr has the exact replacement O-rings [part #9452K57]. A package of 100 is only $2.76. After tax that is around 3 cents each. There is no reason to ever re-use an O-ring. Despite how they look when you remove the drain plug, the O-ring will have taken a partial 'set' during it former use. Replace it.
If you can wrap Teflon tape on straight threads and have it actually stay in place when you assemble the part, the thread fit is loose and the tape is not going to do anything useful.
Teflon "paste" can be useful as an anti-seize compound on straight threads. Use it or don't. Your choice. Just use it sparingly. Harley used it on both of my 2014 bikes' drain plugs when new. But it wasn't to seal the oil.
The use of Loctite [blue or otherwise] on every H-D thread is also misguided thinking but that is a topic for a later discussion. Proper thread fit and proper torque, etc. are the solution most times.
Last edited by dwoodlives; Nov 19, 2014 at 05:26 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
Nowhere in the service manual does it say to use pipe dope or teflon tape on the oil drain plugs, so it must not be necessary. I've never used it and I've never had any problems.
If the factory does use it as an anti-seize it's only because it is a new dry bolt in a new dry pan. Once you drain the oil the threads will forever be oily, thus being all the "anti-seize" you need!
As I've said before, I think they just use it as an added precaution to ensure the bikes don't leak on the showroom floor... that would look REALLY bad! JMO
If the factory does use it as an anti-seize it's only because it is a new dry bolt in a new dry pan. Once you drain the oil the threads will forever be oily, thus being all the "anti-seize" you need!
As I've said before, I think they just use it as an added precaution to ensure the bikes don't leak on the showroom floor... that would look REALLY bad! JMO
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
New o ring, slight dab of silver anti seize, tq nut, that's it.
Don't ask me about helicoils though......
Actually yes now you can ask me..............
Don't ask me about helicoils though......
Actually yes now you can ask me..............
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