Changing Primary Oil?
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
With all due respect, I would not use Teflon tape on the drain plugs. Tell you why! The Teflon Tape crushes in the threads and turns into little strings when tightened. It's acting as a thread lubricant. When you remove the plug and drain your oil, all the Teflon doesn't come out of the threads. When you reapply Teflon and put the plug back in, some of the teflon strings gets pushed into your engine. You don't want that chit floating around in your engine. A lot of Company's like Honeywell outlawed the use of Teflon Tape because it was being pushed into their instruments and causing big problems.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
With all due respect, I would not use Teflon tape on the drain plugs. Tell you why! The Teflon Tape crushes in the threads and turns into little strings when tightened. It's acting as a thread lubricant. When you remove the plug and drain your oil, all the Teflon doesn't come out of the threads. When you reapply Teflon and put the plug back in, some of the teflon strings gets pushed into your engine. You don't want that chit floating around in your engine. A lot of Company's like Honeywell outlawed the use of Teflon Tape because it was being pushed into their instruments and causing big problems.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Teflon pipe dope
When i got my bike back from the 1k service i thought i was seeing things. The o-ring was hanging off two of the three plugs,some sort of pipe dope they put on the threads would not let the o-ring seat into the small chamfer in the cases because it filled the chamfer that the o-ring was to fit in. Flipped out on the dealership and they told me the tech that did it had worked on Harleys 25 years. The next day Harley Davidson customer service called me to ask what my complaint was about. I told the women that if i ever had another issue with warranty or something that i could not fix that i would burn it and file an insurance claim. Teflon tape is for tapered pipe threads as is pipe dope,a plug with an o-ring that fits into a chamfer is the seal for that plug. To use tape or pipe dope on that plug is a pure idiot period
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Hinton, Alberta
Pipe dope
using pipe dope, like teflon paste is an excellent product and idead
1.) the dope lubricates the threads which in turn will stop the threads from picking up or galling. The plug is carbon steel and the drain holes are aluminum. If you screw up the threads on the drain it will cost a pritty penny to repair.
2.) the dope does not seal it only lubricates, the threads seal.
For me is a little paste on the threads a new o-ring and miles of smiles.
1.) the dope lubricates the threads which in turn will stop the threads from picking up or galling. The plug is carbon steel and the drain holes are aluminum. If you screw up the threads on the drain it will cost a pritty penny to repair.
2.) the dope does not seal it only lubricates, the threads seal.
For me is a little paste on the threads a new o-ring and miles of smiles.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
I don't use tape or dope on the drain plug threads... But if I did, how in the world could it ever get to the 02 sensors?