Cracked oil pan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
sorry for your troubles, never torqued a drain plug, now after seeing yours, never want too.
Might be a good time to consider the extra capacity pan. its more expensive, but since your are in there, and have to change anyway. give it a thought.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...pacity-oil-pan
Might be a good time to consider the extra capacity pan. its more expensive, but since your are in there, and have to change anyway. give it a thought.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...pacity-oil-pan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 1,614
From: Eastern Ohio
You pulled the drain plug and not the one next to it correct? The hex head. The one next to it is a tapered plug. That one will crack the pan if over torqued.
eta: the drain plug has an o-ring
eta: the drain plug has an o-ring
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 11,254
From: San Diego, CA
I only use a torque wrench on bare, clean threads....
You said you used teflon tape on the plug. With an good o-ring, teflon tape shouldn't be needed. Neither should a sealer.
If I put teflon tape on a plug, I'll snug it up by hand/feel....
You said you used teflon tape on the plug. With an good o-ring, teflon tape shouldn't be needed. Neither should a sealer.
If I put teflon tape on a plug, I'll snug it up by hand/feel....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
Using teflon tape on the threads would also make a difference in any torque spec listed.
The spec was determined without tape in mind.
There is an 0-ring on that plug, so tape isn't needed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,160
Likes: 2,568
From: CT/FL
btw for $400 you can buy a nice bike lift and have it for future work
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
I learned from my father ages ago. He tightened everything as much as he could. After seeing how all that worked out for him, I never over-tighten. Always easier to go back and snug it up a bit more
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,939
Likes: 8,036
From: poway
I find it funny that some use pipe dope or Teflon tape on a plug that uses and O ring.. That stuff will do more damage than good.. The whole purpose of using an O ring is to compress it enough that it forms the seal.. Adding tape or dope only crowds the area and can get between the o ring and surface to prevent a good seal.. I can see using some sort of sealer if a surface is damaged but at that point it's a mickey mouse fix..(no I'm not a snob, I've had mickey help from time to time) What is funny is that if you buy a new drain plug from HD it has some sort of thread lock that can scrape off while treading and get into the O ring grove upsetting the seal. I suspect some of this cam about from HD using a Buna O ring instead of Viton..
The drain plug only needs to be tight enough to keep it from falling out.. You can get a lifetime supply (100) of Viton O rings from McMaster for a few bucks.. Number 013..
The drain plug only needs to be tight enough to keep it from falling out.. You can get a lifetime supply (100) of Viton O rings from McMaster for a few bucks.. Number 013..
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