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Drain Plug Sealing

badbmwbrad

badbmwbrad

Member
My new-to-me Fat Boy had some white-colored pipe thread sealant on its three oil drain plugs (engine, chain case, transmission). Each plug also had an O-ring. The transmission O-ring was broken and caused the plug to be under-torqued.

I'm not sure any of these threads are tapered. If no then pipe thread sealant is inappropriate here. The sealant can get inside the engine's oil passage, block oil flow and result in damage.

I think it's better to simply replace the O-ring every time the plug is removed and don't over-torque the plug.
 
badbmwbrad said:
I think it's better to simply replace the O-ring every time the plug is removed and don't over-torque the plug.
Click to expand...

That's the way to do it. No Teflon tape or thread sealant paste. Not needed if the o-ring is good. I just snug mine up handy (finger tight) and then a bit more with the wrench (1/6 - 1/4 turn).

On my last bike ('03 Ultra) and the '91 Dyna, they had a pipe plug in the primary case drain. I did use Teflon tape there, but only on the threads not letting the tape excess on the inside of the case.

Cheers,

TQ
 
Permatex thread sealant works well but it's a good idea to change the O ring for if any reason gives you piece of mind. I'm with TQ, I don't torque everything, tight is tight.
 
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