Hi all,
My transmission oil drain plug was stripped. Tapped a slightly larger thread, new plug to fit with washer and O ring. When tapping new thread I had oil on the tap to minimize metal flakes etc, . To make sure no other metal bits are left behind I was going to , 1. Get a small magnet and poke up hole . 2. Get my air compressor and blow from fill point. 3. Pour (waste) about half a litre of oil in tranny and let it drain out.
Am I going about it the right way ??/ Mechanics please chime in !!! Regards Mark
magnet will not pick any aluminiun bits , best to use grease tap & clean a turn @ a time, but do not be shy on the cleaning out waste some oil in flushing with the drain @ the lowest possie about 5 times
what model bike is she
Bike is 2009 FLHT Electra Glide, With regard using a magnet , your right, it wont "pick up aluminium", the magnet on the original drain plug will only pick up metal shavings from the workings of the transimission. Other than using oil to flush the transimission , is there another product I can use , that is'nt as thick as oil ???
Thanks for your replies so far, come on you mechanics, I'm going to Sydney this weekend for the Grand Final.
ATF oil would be the best for the flush DO not BE shy USE A few ltrs lean bike to drain @ it's lowest piont fill up with finger over the hole @ let it flush out @ the same time shake the bike a bit , if you used compress air it might blow it else were, you could even warm the oil up a bit 1st if you want
HEY , UP THE BERRIES
Thanks daddyracer 56 for your advice.
I'll get some cheaper oil that you recommended and give it a good flush. You can be a bit "anal" with these things, but there is a right way and there is a wrong way to do things when issuses like this come up.
I'm not really going for any team in the grand final , as my Bunnies are unfortunatly back in there burra !!!
Thanks again.
There wouldn't be anything wrong with using Diesel fuel to flush the tranny if you are after something thinner.
How much room do you have between the drain hole and the gear cluster. You are going to have to usa a plug tap and access isnt going to be easy. if you refer to your manual you could remove the clutch release cover and side door to gain better access and flush out any swarf. Best result is to install a helicoil.
Just an update on my stripped tranny drain plug , (or for that matter any stripped drain plug in an alumimum caseing),
First of all , thanks for all your replies.
What I did after advice, Get a new tap, (larger than the existing plug hole. 2. Apply a good sticky grease to the tap . 3 . Slowly tap hole , (keeping tap as straight and vertical as possibly). 4. Tap thread to depth of new plug you are going to replace old with. 5. Put a little grease on your little finger and clean around and inside hole, ( dont let finger go all the way into pan, as you may move metal shavings up into pan).
6. Buy some cheap ATL oil , (say 2 lts). Flush out tranny about 2 -3 times , waiting between flushes. 7. Install your new drain plug, ( I got plug made up to fit from local tool workshop), The only thing my new plug has not got is the magnetic tip . Will organize this when i have time. 7. Fill up with recommended tranny oil. Take her for a run, check for leaks. and you done.
The Helicoil product will work just as well, (you still have to tap). Also with flushing the tranny, to get rid a any loose metal shavings from tapping , I used a cheap ATF oil , other than diesel etc, as some suggested.
Now being an expert on all this , I'm confident I'm good to go on my ride to Sydney (600kms) to the Grand Final tomorrow. But if you see a Black FLHT Electra Glide around Sydney somewhere with the tranny all over the highway , Please disregard all of the above !!!!
Safe riding lads !!!!
if you are going to re-tap i use a tapered NPT thread type with a gas presure tapered plug these are tapered thread & lock in real good you do not have too push the tap all the way in as the plug will lock in on it's taper & leave room for wear in years to come
