Oil plug almost stripped off

zacstewart · 06-20-2007, 04:59 PM

The oil plug has never been a nice feature on my DB-07. It seems like the bolt head of it is tapered, and with the shiny finish on it it's almost impossible to keep a wrench from slipping off of it.

Today is much worse though. I couldn't get it to budge and it even mawed off one of the edges of the bolt head. Now I have no idea how to change the oil and it's at 400 miles on this change.

Any suggestions about how I might get it off and how I can get another plug?

IronFist · 06-20-2007, 05:18 PM

Do you clean your oil filter? I don't use the bottom plug anymore, I undo the large side bolt where the mesh screen is that collects the metal grindy bits from your oil. That way I don't have to undo the skid plate every time I change the oil. I don't know if this is what the pro's do? Just what I do. Can you find a replacement bolt? :wink:

zacstewart · 06-20-2007, 05:43 PM

That's exactly the one I'm talking about. I've never used the smaller bolt on the bottom. Maybe it's time?

ob1 · 06-20-2007, 06:10 PM

Use a socket?

Jim · 06-20-2007, 07:11 PM

Isn't your oil screen cover bolt thing plastic? I am sure mines plastic... hmmm

katoranger · 06-20-2007, 07:30 PM

Jim, my plug is metal (china pot)I believe. Talking the one on the side that holds the filter screen.

I use a large socket, but I can't remember the size.

Getting due for a change too. I think this time will be real 4-stroke m/c valvoline.

Allen

vmtz · 06-20-2007, 08:09 PM

I think it is a 22 or 23mm.

Vince

katoranger · 06-20-2007, 09:18 PM

It is large like that. I have a set of metric impact sockets in the correct size that fit. Makes it much easier to remove and install. Check at a harbor freight or northen tool for one. Otherwise Home Depot may have one too.

Allen

Jim · 06-20-2007, 09:35 PM

Oh ok, maybe its just funny metal... or maybe I am thinking of the dipstick...

TeamCheap · 06-20-2007, 09:44 PM

A good 6-point socket almost nevers grinds the biting surface off a bolt/nut.

Those 12-point sockets will strip a bolt/nut very easily.

Even a good 6-point can take apart what a 12-point has ground up sometimes.

IronFist · 06-20-2007, 09:51 PM

23 mm on mine. Odd socket size, so it's expensive. 23mm wrench at home depot 13$

katoranger · 06-20-2007, 10:39 PM

The large impact sockets are all 6 point. It must be the 23mm then that fits.

I think I paid $30 for the set of 12 sockets. They were made in China, but I only use them occasionally.

Jim, I think the dipstick is plastic. The filter plug is a cheap metal.

Allen

zacstewart · 06-20-2007, 11:02 PM

I guess I'll have to invest in a socket set. This wrench isn't going to cut it. I hope that the bolt isn't too damaged.

However, I did use the little plug to change the oil so I'm okay for now.

katoranger · 06-20-2007, 11:17 PM

A 23mm won't come in most socket sets. You will probably have to buy it separately or buy a set of large 1/2" drive sockets like mine. I bought them at a place the sells china tools and liquidation type stuff. Never know what they will have. Home Depot probably has the individual socket or a set with one in it. I would buy a whole set unless you have a use for all the other large size one.

Allen

Jim · 06-20-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

Jim, I think the dipstick is plastic. The filter plug is a cheap metal.

Allen

Oh right, yeah that is what I was thinking... And the cheap metal thing.

When I changed my oil last time, I didnt notice but the o-ring behind the plug came out with the oil and I put it all back together and filled it up, then found the o-ring in the bottom of the oil... Oops :oops: ... just laid the bike over (brother and dad held it just off the ground) and undid the plug and replaced the oring and put it back, all was well

06-20-2007, 04:59 PM	#1
zacstewart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 50	Oil plug almost stripped off The oil plug has never been a nice feature on my DB-07. It seems like the bolt head of it is tapered, and with the shiny finish on it it's almost impossible to keep a wrench from slipping off of it. Today is much worse though. I couldn't get it to budge and it even mawed off one of the edges of the bolt head. Now I have no idea how to change the oil and it's at 400 miles on this change. Any suggestions about how I might get it off and how I can get another plug?
	0

06-20-2007, 07:30 PM	#6
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Jim, my plug is metal (china pot)I believe. Talking the one on the side that holds the filter screen. I use a large socket, but I can't remember the size. Getting due for a change too. I think this time will be real 4-stroke m/c valvoline. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-20-2007, 09:18 PM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	It is large like that. I have a set of metric impact sockets in the correct size that fit. Makes it much easier to remove and install. Check at a harbor freight or northen tool for one. Otherwise Home Depot may have one too. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-20-2007, 10:39 PM	#12
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	The large impact sockets are all 6 point. It must be the 23mm then that fits. I think I paid $30 for the set of 12 sockets. They were made in China, but I only use them occasionally. Jim, I think the dipstick is plastic. The filter plug is a cheap metal. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-20-2007, 11:17 PM	#14
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	A 23mm won't come in most socket sets. You will probably have to buy it separately or buy a set of large 1/2" drive sockets like mine. I bought them at a place the sells china tools and liquidation type stuff. Never know what they will have. Home Depot probably has the individual socket or a set with one in it. I would buy a whole set unless you have a use for all the other large size one. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

06-20-2007, 05:18 PM	#2
IronFist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 2,585	Do you clean your oil filter? I don't use the bottom plug anymore, I undo the large side bolt where the mesh screen is that collects the metal grindy bits from your oil. That way I don't have to undo the skid plate every time I change the oil. I don't know if this is what the pro's do? Just what I do. Can you find a replacement bolt? :wink:
	0

06-20-2007, 05:43 PM	#3
zacstewart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 50	That's exactly the one I'm talking about. I've never used the smaller bolt on the bottom. Maybe it's time?
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06-20-2007, 06:10 PM	#4
ob1 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 499	Use a socket?
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06-20-2007, 07:11 PM	#5
Jim Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada Posts: 4,880	Isn't your oil screen cover bolt thing plastic? I am sure mines plastic... hmmm
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06-20-2007, 08:09 PM	#7
vmtz Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 12	I think it is a 22 or 23mm. Vince
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06-20-2007, 09:35 PM	#9
Jim Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada Posts: 4,880	Oh ok, maybe its just funny metal... or maybe I am thinking of the dipstick...
	0

06-20-2007, 09:44 PM	#10
TeamCheap Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: directly under the earths sun............NOW Posts: 2,302	A good 6-point socket almost nevers grinds the biting surface off a bolt/nut. Those 12-point sockets will strip a bolt/nut very easily. Even a good 6-point can take apart what a 12-point has ground up sometimes.
	0

06-20-2007, 09:51 PM	#11
IronFist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 2,585	23 mm on mine. Odd socket size, so it's expensive. 23mm wrench at home depot 13$
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06-20-2007, 11:02 PM	#13
zacstewart Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 50	I guess I'll have to invest in a socket set. This wrench isn't going to cut it. I hope that the bolt isn't too damaged. However, I did use the little plug to change the oil so I'm okay for now.
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