HarleyTechTalk

My primary drain plug on my 02 Low rider keeps leaking oil. I tried Teflon tape but it still leaks. The plug is unusual because it has no head on it, so you probably can keep screwing it in all the way into the primary case. I wonder if blue lock tight would stop the leak. Any idea on what I can do? 

It may have been screwed in too far one or more times and cracked the case, it is a tapered pipe thread, so it seals by getting wider as it threads in, but too far and it can crack the case. I use pipe dope with good results. But if cracked, a repair or replacement may need to be done.
Also, check to make sure the leak is not coming from behind the primary, and wicking down.

That SMALL of a Pipe Thread only takes One or two times Threaded into and past Flush Head, it will not seal like a Pipe Thread Much Bigger Should..... When my 00 was a NEW Bike, changing at the first service by HD Shop... They Threaded it PAST flush and the Fun Began...

White Plumbers Dope will help seal it.

IT NEVER Needs Further In.... The sealing point should be Head out some (1/16 min to 1/8  still sticking out)

I had no problem using the tape but some do...

You have to Rethink what you call tight and what Actually IS...

That plug will go into the primary causing you GRIEF if you put it in...

Try to understand what I posted here and give it another Whirl...

::::::::::


Use white tape on plug, use enough to make a Lump when plug is being Installed BUT sticking OUT by an 1/8 inch THEN JUST A LITTLE more tightening
(1/8 turn most) to Finish tightening... Leave it there... Plug should never be inside the primary.... Sticking out is the desired position to SEAL.....

I have never had a plug come out,  but Drip YES...

Buying a new plug does nothing,  as the short Pipe Thread is GONE inside the primary. Too Much pressure of larger pressing too mass,  will,,,, i say WILL crack that primary housing.

Try what I gave you above and report back please........ I tried my best to explain... some times you need to Try another way...
Hey, The newer TC's have a Headed Plug with an "0" ring gasket...

signed....BUBBIE

Thank you for your responses.  When I unscrewed the drain plug it was snug, so maybe it had some blue lock tight.  Tomorrow, I will buy some White Plumbers Dope, since I tried the Teflon tape, and it still dripped after I ran the engine a few minutes. When I first screwed the drain plug in with Teflon tape, I left about 1/8 sticking out, but it dripped so I screw it in a little more, and it dripped less. It never dripped prior to me draining the oil.

I use Permatex liquid Teflon tape.   Any good auto parts store should have it.   I bet that will fix your problem. 

Quote from: camel on June 13, 2016, 11:16:09 PM
Thank you for your responses.  When I unscrewed the drain plug it was snug, so maybe it had some blue lock tight.  Tomorrow, I will buy some White Plumbers Dope, since I tried the Teflon tape, and it still dripped after I ran the engine a few minutes. When I first screwed the drain plug in with Teflon tape, I left about 1/8 sticking out, but it dripped so I screw it in a little more, and it dripped less. It never dripped prior to me draining the oil.

Like Bubbie said above. Your case might have been cracked when it was screwed in too far. Common mistake. Take a good look it. If that is the case you wont stop the drip with anything you put on the plug.

Always hated that plug because I did not know when it was in there good. 

The case doesn't look cracked so I will try  the White Plumbers Dope and if that doesn't work, I will try the Permat ex liquid next. Do you think the blue lock tight will work?

The locktite won't work unless you have threads free of oil and I mean squeaky clean, both plug and case.

Blue Loctite will work if properly applied, brake clean it apply Loctite to plug thread in and just snug it up let it set up for a hour. Tape on the threads increases the chance of cracking the case most people put to much tape on. Make sure both the plug and the hole are clean. I stopped using pipe dope and tape years ago and went to blue Loctite . I do a lot of stainless tube and small pipe work. Most people over tighten pipe threads and there pooched after the first use.  Bob

It doesn't drip until after I run the engine. I guess I will have to try the Blue Loctite if the pipe dope , and Permatex liquid doesn't work. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Quote from: Hossamania on June 13, 2016, 09:26:17 PM
Also, check to make sure the leak is not coming from behind the primary, and wicking down.

like Hoss said...

Slammers thanks, but I checked behind the primary, and it's not wicking down. Hey Slammers you're up late or up early huh?  It's only 2300 Hawaiian time here.

0500 here in Ohio 

I guess Slammers you're starting your Wednesday, we are still on Tuesday night . I better get ready for bed.... .lol... have a nice day.

Not sure about the '01 but check and aee if there is a machined area for an 0 ring near the head of the drain plug. Had a similar issue on a '97 couple months ago and that may have been the cure. The plumbers dope should work too. Just throwing in the 0 ring as an after thought.

I had the same problem a few weeks ago. Tried all the recommendations. Ended up using a few wraps of Teflon and coated it with some very old very thick gasket goo I had in a can. Coated the screw over the Teflon and snugged it up.
My screw went in about 1/8" inch below surface!
Been good hot or cold now.

When screwing it in too far, the magnet on the plug can hit the clutch basket and break off. It usually doesn't cause any problems, but it has been known to get into the clutch plates or run around the chain. Worse case, it gets into the rotor and stator.
Had mine break off and sit in the bottom of the primary, no problems.

Quote from: camel on June 15, 2016, 01:43:34 AM
It doesn't drip until after I run the engine. I guess I will have to try the Blue Loctite if the pipe dope , and Permatex liquid doesn't work. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Seems most overlooked this!
That tells me that's it's not the plug, because it is always immersed in oil, but more than likely a seal or somewhere above the oil level that leaks after it's been splashed with oil after running.
Clean it meticulously, run it a short while & check everything with a microscope!

 

I used LockTite Purple goop - worked great

Mahalo guys for all your suggestions. As suggested, I used the White Plumbers Dope, and it stopped the leak. If that didn't work I was going to use the suggested Blue loctite. Mahalo again for all your suggestions.

Thx for the report back.    It will help others. 

good ya got it stopped.
a few years ago we had a similar thread.
I posted my fix.  actually was not leaking, I just did not like idea of the pipe thread in case.
being ex boat mech I have a ton of outboard lower unit plugs.
they are nice.  short, have magnet, have groove in plug for o-ring and screw driver slot. I removed outer case. noted plenty of extra meat on boss of hole.
drilled it a little and threaded it for said above drain plug.
been in now 10 years on my 03.  change o-ring when draining.