Drain plug o-rings
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Boys, boys, boys...seems some of you are going totally **** on this "viton-flouroelastomer" thing. My o-rings come from an assortment that can be purchased at just about any hydraulic or bearing supplier. I don't know if they are "buna" or "viton" and I don't really care. I have used these standard black get'um anywhere o-rings for 30+ years in many applications from 3000 psi control valves to drain plugs and oil temps that exceed 200 degrees. Yes, there are special applications where viton and other types are necessary but the drain plugs on a Harley need only a standard buna o-ring just like the one it came with.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
Boys, boys, boys...seems some of you are going totally **** on this "viton-flouroelastomer" thing. My o-rings come from an assortment that can be purchased at just about any hydraulic or bearing supplier. I don't know if they are "buna" or "viton" and I don't really care. I have used these standard black get'um anywhere o-rings for 30+ years in many applications from 3000 psi control valves to drain plugs and oil temps that exceed 200 degrees. Yes, there are special applications where viton and other types are necessary but the drain plugs on a Harley need only a standard buna o-ring just like the one it came with.
My point remains that for the sake of saving pennies you could be costing yourself hours (of valuable riding time!!) doing the job again so why not just do it right first time?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
The Harley Service Manual suggest using teflon tape. But I think that must be a hold over from the old days because there is no need for tape with an o-ring application and I just don't like those little bits of tape breaking off in the oil. I have been changing oil in everything from lawnmowers to airplanes for 35 years and we never used use a pipe seal or teflon tape. The Harley drain plug is the same as your car and you don't see Ford or Honda suggesting teflon tape. I did use teflon tape on the primary plug on my 02 RK, but that was a strange design that requires some kind of pipe seal application to prevent oil leaking. I never understood the purpose of that design, but I'm glad its changed.
Beary
Beary
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