Pipe Plug Near Oil filter leak
Pipe Plug Near Oil filter leak
Hey guys,
Have a 2011 FLHTCU and she's been smearing oil on the right side. I then replaced the oil sending unit since it was wet; cleaned her out and took her for a 300 mile trip today. 1/2 way through my trip, I stopped at a store and noticed the oil leak again; seems like it's coming from the pipe plugs next to the oil filter. Was thinking of removing them to add sealant but have heard horror stories about them cracking the case if removed. The manual does say they can be removed when the engine is disassembled and then reinstalled with thread sealant. I don't want to mess something up but the oil leak does get to me; also, as the bike runs that small amount of oil ends up running under the case and to the right side as the air hits.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 600
Likes: 231
From: Dewey, Arizona 86327
The thing about pipe plugs is they're tapered. If you fetch one down too hard, its like a wedge and will crack the case. Use sealant and tighten it down just enough, and you're fine. How much is just enough? Hard to tell ya. I've been yanking wrenches for over 60 years, so I feel it when its right.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,629
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Those are plugs for an oil cooler installation. Wash down the area with some brake cleaner, remove the plugs and clean them. Apply some pipe thread sealant install the plugs and snug them up. The sealant will also help them from loosening. Don't use Teflon tape!!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Those are plugs for an oil cooler installation. Wash down the area with some brake cleaner, remove the plugs and clean them. Apply some pipe thread sealant install the plugs and snug them up. The sealant will also help them from loosening. Don't use Teflon tape!!!!
If you hook your oil cooler lines to those, you will bypass the oil filter completely. This is why oil cooler companies supply an adapter block in between the housing and the filter to hook the lines to.
Last edited by QC; May 25, 2019 at 09:32 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
This is incorrect. Those are oil gallery plugs. The case is drilled for the oil galleries to the filter then plugged.
If you hook your oil cooler lines to those, you will bypass the oil filter completely. This is why oil cooler companies supply an adapter block in between the housing and the filter to hook the lines to.
If you hook your oil cooler lines to those, you will bypass the oil filter completely. This is why oil cooler companies supply an adapter block in between the housing and the filter to hook the lines to.
Thank you all for the advice; much appreciated and will keep you posted. One more thing, the service manual recommends Loctite 565; local auto parts stores have Loctite 592. Saw the sheet from Loctite and the products vary with the 592 having a higher temperature allowance. Has anyone tried them that could shed some light on the differences?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,188
Likes: 11,299
From: San Diego, CA
Thank you all for the advice; much appreciated and will keep you posted. One more thing, the service manual recommends Loctite 565; local auto parts stores have Loctite 592. Saw the sheet from Loctite and the products vary with the 592 having a higher temperature allowance. Has anyone tried them that could shed some light on the differences?
I have a bottle of their 545 sealant. I've used it on my '01 & '03 bike's primary drain plugs for years. The early TCs didn't have the O-ring plug, they had a tapered pipe plug. I've never had a problem....
I believe 545, 565, 592 are all thread sealants. I can't see why using one for higher temp would hurt anything....
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 430
From: Northern NY
When you snug a pipe plug down and you just start to feel some pressure/resistance that is enough with the pipe sealant on it. As mentioned, do not keep going or it will crack the boss, ask me how I know from many years ago......
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