Author Topic: Sump plug size  (Read 1138 times)

Offline jacksdad

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Sump plug size
« on: August 22, 2021, 05:41:24 PM »
Hi again, quick question: 1994 gtr1000
Can you guys please tell me the thread size of the oil drain/sump bolts ?
I'm sure they are M12, but it's the pitch I'm needing, I just changed the oil and the drain bolt started to go as I tightened it...
I need to order a helicoil and I'm sure it's a fine pitch 😲

Offline m in sc

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2021, 05:59:39 PM »
if you're going to helicoil it... you can make it any pitch you want. just get a new drain plug. 
I break and fix stuff.  No more concours's in the stables. see you guys around...

Offline jacksdad

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2021, 06:06:33 PM »
Good point!
I'd just be happier with it standard, also been told to use the same size repair as standard, said the helicoil is easier that way...I'm no expert with helicoils 😉

Offline m in sc

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2021, 06:10:01 AM »
ive had to repair a few vintage bikes drain plugs in my time, and usually you can match up the thread with an automotive one. I'll admit, i haven't done one on a concours so cant speak directly to what the actual thread is.
 however, on occasion the pitch might be an odd one. so, for example, if its a 12x1.00 and the most common is a 12x1.25, its still a 12mm. not really changing the function, but makes it easier finding a drain plug and helicoil kit. the process will still be the same changing pitch. I wouldn't change diameter.
I break and fix stuff.  No more concours's in the stables. see you guys around...

Offline jacksdad

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2021, 08:00:44 AM »
Well then..
Went out at 8am looking forward to a nice ride out, bike has been back on the road just 2 days.
Coolant now pouring from the water pump. Really pouring out, like a watering can.
Appears to be coming from the big joint between the main 2 pump housings, so I set to work fixing it...first disconnect coolant hose then drain the engine oil  :yikes:
The sump plug I removed is a 21mm socket size....and M14x1.25 thread, so its been repaired before!
The water pump appears to be in great condition, been changed, lots of silicone around the O rings (bikes done 87k miles) so I've ordered new oil seal and O rings, plus an aftermarket impellor kit just in case.
The water pump repair is easy, but WTF do I do about the drain plug!  :deadhorse:

Offline Boomer

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2021, 08:11:51 AM »
Sounds like you need a new sump.
It can be replaced with the engine still in the bike, but it's a lot of work.
Plastic off, drain coolant, radiator, oil cooler & subframe off, exhaust off.
Then you can get at the sump bolts and remove it (remove the oil filter as well).
Replace with a decent used sump and a new gasket after cleaning everything.
About £40 in parts and most of a day to do it.
Sump - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293212360806
Gasket - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272739065241

Oh, and from now on, use a torque wrench on the two sump plugs.  ;D 8)
No more than 20lbft and 15lbft for the oil filter bolt.
George "Boomer" Garratt
Wickford, UK


Offline jacksdad

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2021, 08:50:18 AM »
Thanks George...I think!
I've actually never removed the sump plugs on this bike, even when I replaced the cylinder head, I just left the oil change as the last job, which finally came around at last!
2 bloody days riding after 4 years being laid up, but maybe I should have expected it, and its an easy fix, just a few quid for new seals and O rings. Have you heard of Oil-Tite oversize sump plugs? Looks like may be worth a try, I could just leave it in place and use the other drain plug and oil filter for oil changes.
I don't want to drop the sump, I've got another engine I bought before the Zombie Dawn that I still need to collect as well!

Offline jacksdad

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2021, 08:45:46 AM »
Hi, new gasket, O ring and oil seal here, cost me just £14 thanks to 20% trade discount, will take me half an hour to rebuild, I cleaned and repainted the pump housing (in bright red caliper paint as I had a bit left!)   :rotflmao:

Offline Boomer

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2021, 04:34:56 AM »
At least yer sorted for now (apart from the mudguard).  ;D
You need to use both sump drain plugs at every oil change, as they drain different parts of the sump.
If you only use the main one, then you are leaving at least a half litre of old oil in the engine.
If you only use the 2nd one, then that rises to over a litre.
If you imagine uU where the top of both u and U are level and the sump plugs are at the bottom of each u, you can see what you are dealing with.

Don't get disheartened, every rebuilt bike takes a few weeks of rides to find out all the niggles that need addressing.
A friend once rebuilt his Z1R (new rings, valve stem seals plus carb rebuild) and left for Holland the day after.
We met him a week later in Calais and rode to the South of France.
It broke down at least 5 times over the next 2 weeks (and he later admitted twice in Holland), but somehow, he got it home.
He swore that from then on there would be several weeks and at least 1000 miles after any rebuild before taking a longer trip.
George "Boomer" Garratt
Wickford, UK


Offline connie_rider

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2021, 07:14:42 PM »
I once bought an oversized drain plug at an auto supply for my C-10.
(These are sold because people strip the threads in the auto oil pans frequently).
They were sold in 4 steps (1/2/3/4) bigger than stock. (Each step cuts slightly larger threads)
Solved my problem..

Here is one I found on Ebay. (1 step bigger)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/252675530363?epid=25016998919&hash=item3ad4a29e7b:g:1vEAAOSwh1pZ9nsq

Here is a plug with a drain hole thru the plug. (Using one of these, you never remove the original plug again).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233654838284?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20201210111314%26meid%3Dc2ac77ccb94440e0b193a0214a18a20f%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D252675530363%26itm%3D233654838284%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseWithPLXWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851&amdata=cksum%3A233654838284c2ac77ccb94440e0b193a0214a18a20f%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAACIIL3q%252BW1Tb99Kije1duXgXZsTh3RSBDeQDkDCctdxnjm9LHnvnvliqVcjZHnhUWmGFNo2lZp2hmybUF0%252FvQVCUv6VbZMifGRjZ8irLsup9iiOzVetrjuXfVbX%252FToUMKs9WXzZwEKhqyGdDflGX2%252F%252FslmT9uhyEd3dn5wtt%252BnI8B7R9Zqm8Yp9z4eUmF3zGbKCNiuLOoNTfBt9PElCoL7LWAw%252Fo4aAaI0wBZlj8YQMsIL4rEy%252B%252F3JthMHCRvxmkxTe10A16rvtQf7LqB8JnTWemZ9OPbIrd0I9gJhiKuDOvhjLvQke7qZekABtk5w0G%252B0HsDxovuwSiEu9gLVWK%252Fa4pCfi4pvZnLwK63Esb0%252BthleUb1Jnih05SHqZlVZl30nx1ZBtoatxVFAaPVRaJGTwPmuGohg%252Fd3eKhwk%252Beu8ei6H5vpXOXfQb8XE%252F3kXHsJsdxHt3nWGaW7b2OU8YgH9L08iM5uNIoA9DAPA2Kv%252BxITvt1KkaMlAnRnXBs1hSEJQV2q4cZKikGQuYy8DfJEn4XRSwcGHbTDAMuWCKnaCMLU7NKsY9AMn4kAmEEbELX%252BBy3GKnimErqd74bGphVwcCyQtkklXbq38nzb6J6n9iex89im1OX3rdRGosyLYY%252FkTCWTj%252FBQRUFqEvxiL9dkX42OiqoBqrkb2Tk%252FpsVQhGebowWNeJTNp0TOX7YyPpd8NqlUGqVxBuA1AYToKtsNn68I%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675

With some research/little luck you should be able to find exactly what you need..

NOTE: You need to buy one that is the same thread length (or only slightly longer than the stock plug).
(Because) The end of the threads are near the gears inside the tranny.

Ride safe, Ted

Offline jacksdad

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2021, 12:53:40 PM »
I've been busy fixing the water pump leak, now sorted, so haven't touched the drain plug.
I have ran the bike up to full temp a few times today, until the fan kicked in, and can confirm that removing the sump plug copper seal (to get another coil of good threads on the bolt) and wrapping with dental floss, has worked  8)
Not a single drop of oil escaping, has done the job!
I'll leav things alone for now, get some miles covered and then start again when the weather gets bad  ;D

Offline jacksdad

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2021, 03:05:11 PM »
I've found the best fix...I'm replacing the entire engine 😂

Offline connie_rider

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Re: Sump plug size
« Reply #12 on: September 07, 2021, 10:34:01 AM »
Arghhhh!!

Ride safe, Ted