Teflon on the oil drain plug?
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
You are absolutely right, there is no reason to put teflon tape or paste on a straight thread where an O-ring is used to seal it. For the people that do it, Think of it this way. Everytime you put teflon tape or paste on the drain plug and screw it in, you are pushing some that was used before up into your engine, Primary and Transmission. because some of it stays in the threaded hole. Teflon tape and pipe dope are for lubricating purpose only on tapered pipe threads so they won't gauld when seated. I only use a little oil or grease to lubricate the O-ring and torque to specs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
"Thread seal tape commonly known as "Teflon tape", "PTFE tape", "tape dope", or "plumber's tape" is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film cut to specified widths for use in sealing pipe threads. The tape is wrapped around the exposed threads of a pipe before it is screwed into place. Since the PTFE is malleable, deformable and impermeable, it acts a little like putty under compression, being forced into small gaps between threads in order to create an air- and watertight seal when threaded into a joint. The tape is commonly used commercially in pressurized water systems, such as central heating systems, as well as in air compression equipment and thread joints with coarse threads."
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
[quote=Ronp42;7079952]You are absolutely right, there is no reason to put teflon tape or paste on a straight thread where an O-ring is used to seal it. For the people that do it, Think of it this way. Everytime you put teflon tape or paste on the drain plug and screw it in, you are pushing some that was used before up into your engine,/quote]
I've read somewhere that if you feel you must use teflon, use paste instead of tape. The reason is that the stringy pieces of teflon tape that results when you remove the plug can find its way into the oil system and plug the piston cooler orfices. I have no idea if that is true or not. I don't use teflon at all because the o ring is designed to do the sealing, so why seal the threads.
I've read somewhere that if you feel you must use teflon, use paste instead of tape. The reason is that the stringy pieces of teflon tape that results when you remove the plug can find its way into the oil system and plug the piston cooler orfices. I have no idea if that is true or not. I don't use teflon at all because the o ring is designed to do the sealing, so why seal the threads.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Maine
o-ring ?
Just what i need some chunks of thread sealant or teflon tape floating around in the main oil feed pickup of my engine oil pan. It took me a while to clean it out of the threads of the engine cases and not push anymore up into the engine/primary/transmission after some idiot at the dealership used it on my bike. It also hardens up enough to not let the o-ring fit in its chamfer. What ever the hell they used.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 930
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, FL
If it is not needed or recommended why does it come from the factory that way? I do not use it, my service manual makes no mention of using it and I think the service manual is very detailed in its instructions.