Drain Plug Question

DannyL · May 9, 2017

First oil change on ST1300 I bought.

PO was religious on oil changes.
Pulled plug, put it aside while pan and filter drained.
No washer on plug...hum. Stuck on pan.... no...***?

poke at the pan cause sometimes they stick.... doesn't look like it.... Miffed

Is this how the pan usually looks around the drain?

BIGGER https://www.dropbox.com/s/gnk08ol7zz3qx79/18422436_1914497788829459_4323205808014976152_o.jpg?dl=0

st1300doug · May 9, 2017

Some don't replace the crush washer. I haven't for years. But- I also 'torque' the oil-drain bolt with a quality torque-wrench. I should by some crush washers......you're suppose to use a new one each time .

DannyL · May 9, 2017

As far a as I can see there was NO washer!

Kevin_56 · May 9, 2017

DannyL said:
No washer on plug...hum. Stuck on pan.... no...***?

poke at the pan cause sometimes they stick.... doesn't look like it.... Miffed

Any aluminum washer will work in a pinch. Try your local hardware store.

st1300doug said:
Some don't replace the crush washer. I haven't for years. But- I also 'torque' the oil-drain bolt with a quality torque-wrench. I should by some crush washers......you're suppose to use a new one each time .

Doug - He is missing his. Hard not to replace it when it is not there in the first place. I have only replaced mine once in 150,000 miles. Many items you are suppose to replace each time you service the bike.

OP - Your bike, your call on what you do or do not do based on your thoughts and advise from others.

Bummer for sure. For what it is worth, that crush washer should not fall off the bolt due to it "crushing" and getting tight around the threads. I had to use pliers to remove the one I did replace.

Igofar · May 9, 2017

If you had to remove the washer off the drain plug with pliers, you are tightening it waaaaay too much.
If the head of the bold creates an edge that you can feel on the washer, you need to replace the washer.
.02

Kevin_56 · May 9, 2017

Igofar said:
If you had to remove the washer off the drain plug with pliers, you are tightening it waaaaay too much.

After 100,000 miles / 7,000 per change = 14+ oil changes. I DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. I also do not fix things that are not broke. Should have been more articulate and said I had to hold said washer with pliers as it would not slip over the threads.

Al st1100 · May 9, 2017

see what happens when you use a 2 foot 1/2 in drive breaker bar to tighten a oil plug :nanner1:

Kevcules · May 9, 2017

Buy a crush washer and torque to specs. I believe my book said 23 ft/lbs.

ST Gui · May 10, 2017

DannyL said:
DannyL said:

Is this how the pan usually looks around the drain?

Click to expand...

That's my question too. It looks more like somebody repaired the drain plug hole than an OEM product. I've never seen the bottom of an ST oil pan so I have no idea. But I have seen the bottom my GL1000 pan and it was nicely machined and not swedged in. That looks like the drain plug hole was badly damaged and inelegantly repaired. Of course who'd see it.

So is that what a proper pan looks like?

Blrfl · May 10, 2017

DannyL said:
Is this how the pan usually looks around the drain?

That is one stock ST1300 oil pan with no washer attached.

You do want a washer on there if for no other reason than the torque figure being wrong without it. You don't have to replace it every oil change, just if the surfaces aren't in good condition. New ones are a buck each, so keeping a few in stock isn't an expensive proposition.

--Mark

Trump · May 10, 2017

Amazed you had no obvious leaks/drips without a washer! Technically if it doesnt drip...you dont need one!

BTW if you use a torque wrench on the drainplug make sure theres no oil on either of the threads or according to Hoyle youll be overtightening it.

Igofar · May 11, 2017

Stupid comment, but have you checked on the drain plug itself to see if the crush washer is swagged onto the plug?

Drain Plug Question

DannyL

st1300doug

DannyL

Kevin_56

Igofar

Kevin_56

Al st1100

Kevcules

ST Gui

240Robert

Blrfl

Natural Rider Enhancement

Trump

Igofar