redsled
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted October 17, 2007 06:01 AM
Be weary of oil drain plugs
I just had my initial service done at the dealer Monday and on the way home my drain plug came out. No damage to me (I'm amazed I didn't go down), but the motor is probably shot. I didn't realize something was wrong until 2 miles from the house, the oil light came on and the engine sounded like a diesel. I got to the house and the last 1/2 quart landed on the driveway.
After discussing with the dealer the remedy (I'm getting another bike Saturday), he told me they checked the other two they have there and the torque is set at 24 lbs. The service manual says 17 lbs. Can anyone with the service manual confirm or deny that?
Chris
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Chris Pope
Locust Grove, GA
  
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wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted October 17, 2007 08:24 AM
 Edited By: wormgear on 17 Oct 2007 09:28
I don't have a service manual yet but I'd have to say that if the plug came out on your way home they couldn't have had it more than finger tight. That or they stripped it so badly by over tightening that there were not even enough threads left to make an interference fit. Most likely the first. I've never used a torque wrench on an oil plug (neither do shop mechanics) and never had one fall out. Just tighten it, reasonably.
so be weary of guys that forget to use the wrench 
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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gpz1100
Expert Class
Posts: 147
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posted October 17, 2007 01:19 PM
I've never used a torque wrench on oil plugs (or filters) either. finger tight, then snug with the wrench/socket.
I've done enough oil changes between my cars and bikes over the years.. Never stripped one.
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redsled
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted October 17, 2007 07:03 PM
You don't think the dealer is trying to blow smoke do ya to attempt to keep me from doing something (not that I'm going to). It's not like I wrecked again and am telling him I'm going to sue him.
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Chris Pope
Locust Grove, GA
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wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted October 17, 2007 07:12 PM
I think they just don't want to admit to a stupid mistake so yes they're blowing smoke, trying to save face talking about toruqe values. But you're getting a new bike right? So all's well that ends well.
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
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redsled
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted October 17, 2007 07:59 PM
Yeah, I'm getting another one Saturday. And the GM at the dealer is kind of a friend, so I'm not going to try to screw his thumbs down and get anything out of him. He told me he'd swap bikes before I ever had a chance to bring it up, so I'm good.
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Chris Pope
Locust Grove, GA
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gpz1100
Expert Class
Posts: 147
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posted October 17, 2007 09:23 PM
What's GM have to do with kawasaki?
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daysoffIride
Novice Class
Posts: 77
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posted October 17, 2007 10:06 PM
I have said it a million times.... Do this stuff yourself..... Why would you pay someone to do such a simple job..... Forget about the money, It is the time to take it in AND getting such a dumb thing done right!!!!
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Present rides:
'08 ZG 1400
'08 KLR 650
'05 Prarie V- twin 700 Quad
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted October 18, 2007 03:54 AM
quote:
What's GM have to do with kawasaki?
GM as in General manager, not General Motors... 
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FYYFF!!!
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sykotek-c14
Novice Class
Posts: 32
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posted October 18, 2007 09:25 AM
When I changed my oil the manual said 22ft/lbs for the drain plug, I think. I set the torque wrench and used it, but it felt loose to me so I snugged it with a box wrench using my calibrated forearm.
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Steve
2008 Concours-14 (Currently Own)
1995 ZX600C (Currently Own)
2003 CBR1100XX (Sold)
2002 Shadow Aero 1100 (sold)
1981 CB650 (Gave Away)
2000 ZX11D8 (Sold)
1984 LTD440 (Rusted to Death)
1999 GSX750F (Totaled!)
1998 Shadow Tourer A.C.E. (Traded)
1982 Honda Magna V45 (Traded (Yes, really traded))
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n2xlr8n
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted October 19, 2007 05:46 AM
quote:
I just had my initial service done at the dealer Monday and on the way home my drain plug came out. No damage to me (I'm amazed I didn't go down), but the motor is probably shot. I didn't realize something was wrong until 2 miles from the house, the oil light came on and the engine sounded like a diesel. I got to the house and the last 1/2 quart landed on the driveway.
After discussing with the dealer the remedy (I'm getting another bike Saturday), he told me they checked the other two they have there and the torque is set at 24 lbs. The service manual says 17 lbs. Can anyone with the service manual confirm or deny that?
Chris
I'd politely ask them how they "checked the other two".
If they used a torque wrench in a CCW direction, I'd make a note of that (and be afraid).
Steve
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08Concours14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 14
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posted October 23, 2007 01:05 PM
Sorry to hear about your trouble and glad they are swapping bikes with you. There is no way that the drain plug was tightened properly. I have owned more cars, trucks, bikes, boats, and race cars than I can even remember. I have always changed my own oil and have never had one fall out or stripped one out......ever! I also have never used a torque wrench to put one on. Your wrench, hand and some common sense will get the job done every time. I trust no one to do my oil for me for reasons like your experience. Besides, the Concours 14 and ZX14 are the easiest bikes to change the oil on ever. No body panel removal or anything. I just now drained my oil, removed the filter, replaced the filter, put the plug back in and added oil in 10 minutes.
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redsled
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted October 23, 2007 06:51 PM
I've decided I'm going to do the break-in service on this one myself. In the past, the few times I've bought a bike new, would let the dealer do the break-in service, then do everything else other than valve adjustments, myself. I've had a few people tell me that doing the first service myself won't have any negative effect on the warranty.
Chris
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Chris Pope
Locust Grove, GA
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