Topic: Oil Tank Washer

[Terry in Australia]

Hey Jonesy, can you send me a handful? I've never been able to find any, anywhere! Cheers, Terry.

Sure! Any particular size in mind? I can scout out what they have and see if something will work for ya....

Thanks Jonesy! I'd have to measure my sump plugs on both bikes, (4 x CB750 and 4 x Suzuki GS1000) but from memory they're 12 and 14mm, or 1/2 inch and 9/16 inch? A dozen or so of each will keep me going into the next millenium? Let me know what I'll owe you mate! (I've got a copy of "Juggs" you can have, uuurrggghhh!) Cheers, Terry.

[Steve F]

Bob, get some "plumbers thread tape" and wrap the threads, and it'll never leak again. Same for your sump plug. Cheers, Terry.

I too am a bit of a "worry wart" as some put it, but I have worked on hydraulic and pheumatic systems and teflon tape is a definate no-no. The tape shreds into little and Veeeery thin pieces that will migrate into the smallest of passages and cause problems.  The first thing that comes to mind are those oil jets for the cam.  I wouldn't use teflon tape, but maybe (if you're looking for a rather permanent but removable seal) would be Locktite's teflon paste.  That stuff is approved for use on hydraulic systems, but is not meant to be removed on a regular basis, like on the drain plug.  Buy or make yourself the aluminum gasket, and keep it as originally designed.

[dusterdude]

thanks for the info bob and steve thats why i like to use the liquid teflon that comes in small tubes.tell us your thoughts on that please.thanks

[Bob Wessner]

I decided to stick with a washer. Went to Murray's (auto parts) and found some with the rubber interior as described by someone above. It's actually 12mm. The outside diameter is a bit larger, but I don't see anything that will interfere. Grabbed the last four they had.

[Steve F]

thanks for the info bob and steve thats why i like to use the liquid teflon that comes in small tubes.tell us your thoughts on that please.thanks

  Teflon tape of teflon based sealants (in my opinion) don't work well with straight threads, like those found on the drain plugs.  Tape and sealants were designed to be applied to tapered threads, NPT or BSPT.  The really effective means of sealing a straight threaded plug is with either a gasket or an "O"-ring.  The teflon paste is probably the safest thing to use on an engine since if remains semi-paste and is usually not a problem if some of it should contaminate the fluids.  When I DO use teflon tape, it's only on tapered threads, and I make sure that when I'm wraping the thread, the the tape doesn't go closer than the second thread, and I try NOT to remove or back-out the part once it's been installed or you have to clean out the particulates left behind in the hole.