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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Who would've thought that the Achille's heel of this magnificent machine would be the oil drain plug. I've changed my oil religiously every 2500 miles, and am now at 30k miles. I've never had an issue. This time I placed the plug and washer, tightened to snug, then went for just beyond snug. Now I'm watching Amsoil (no, this isn't an oil discussion so kittens will not be dying) drip on my epoxy garage floor. Crap. Just glad it's sealed.
The dealer here will charge 2 hours labor and parts to helicoil it, but I'd bet it would still leak. I'm going to order the Timesert drain plug repair kit for just over $80 and do it myself. I'll try to update later. Regardless, this is a recurrent, common problem. I cannot believe that Victory would not amend this design, but would rather let their product sit and leak just like the other brand. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I'm probably just a wuss and I'm only strong enough to get it to the proper torque, but at about the 20th oil change mine has not had any problems. I'm even still using the same washer for about the last 10 oil changes. What is going wrong, are those with the striped plugs using something other than the hex wrench that came with the bike??
I feel all alone sometimes because I treat my Vision like crap compared to others and don't have the problems that others have that seems to baby their fine machine.
Just curious because comments like "I cannot blieve that Victory would not amend this design, but would rather let their product sit and leak just like the other brand." makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong?
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-07-16 12:26 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | I'd have to say you have been lucky. I use the appropriate hex socket. I replace the washer every time. I often use a torque wrench but did not this time, which would be the only real difference. Looking at the blogs for the Kingpins, Cross Country's, and other Victory bikes, I'd say it's pretty common. Certainly there's a reason the local dealer has a lot of experience fixing this problem.
I wish I had your luck. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | maybe I have a different casting; each time I take mine out it feels like it takes all my strength to break loose, but it breaks free at that first snap and I can turn it out with my fingers. When I put it back in, I use a half-a-grunt when I tighten it. Having wrenched for a few days and had my share of striped out holes, my plug and threads feel pretty solid. That doesn't mean though I won't be buying a helicoil set at the next oil change, I just don't want to go there. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Hope you never have to explore that. I just finished some phone calls to the local Harley dealer and the Honda dealer. Both of them use the Timesert system as well which to me means that this is a common problem on all bikes. Harley won't work on my Victory because of liability (which is strange because they own the Victory dealer down the street). Honda was OK with working on it but actually recommended a local machinist who apparently has lots of experience with this Timesert system. Again, I'll keep y'all updated. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| ill ship you my timesert kit if you like. just ship it back. came with 5 inserts, i only used one. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 97
Okeefenokee Swamp | Sad to say that there are a big lot of us whom have had that problem. It is not that hard to have it repaired or to repair it yourself. i just wish that was not an issue. Having said that,40 plus thousand on my Vision and that is the only problem, other than replacing tires, that I have had. I still think Victory,Visions in particular, are the best motors on the road. i will never go back to Harley. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| We just don't know our own strength <br />
(oil change.jpg)
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 oil change.jpg (52KB - 0 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Thanks for the offer, JeffMack. I've already ordered the dang kit or I'd take you up on it. Did you do the work yourself? Looking at the setup it doesn't look too technical especially if you get the 1215c kit with the guide sleeve for the tap. Anyway, I wish I would've seen your offer before I slapped down the cash on this one. Thanks! |
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Tourer
Posts: 415
| I had the same issue at 30,000 miles. Dealer has always done my oil changes.
They tried the timesert fix twice and still leaked.
The extended warranty people just laughed at a claim.
Dealer now uses the plastic washer from a Sportsman 500 to conform to the space.
No problems on second oil change. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 249
Montreal, QC Canada | I did the same to mine. I contacted Arizona Victory in Tucson. They have an insert and drain plug kit. I just drilled out the old threads, rethreaded it and put in the insert with locktite. Haven't had a problem since. Heli coils and timeserts won't last.
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I use teflon tape around the threads and snug only. I have only replaced the washer once in 28,000 miles. No leaky. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | The first time I changed the oil in my 2006 KP I stripped the drain plug and it required a helicoil.
I've since learned to only tighten the drain plugs "enough". Good luck.
Edited by K2V2 2011-07-18 6:03 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Yep, #57, my experience with dealer service hasn't been encouraging. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Well, not that it can help here, since the damage is done, but at my first self oil change, I replace the stock plug with this http://www.magneticdrainplug.com/Motorcycle_Drain_Plugs/MP01.html and a new crush washer with each change, tighten to manual spec torque. No problems for far. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Isn't the shoulder of the drain plug tapered? So a magnetic plug shouldn't give a good seal.
I do like the plastic washers idea for forgiveness |
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Tourer
Posts: 353
| dtoddrship - 2011-07-16 9:19 AM
The dealer here will charge 2 hours labor and parts to helicoil it, but I'd bet it would still leak. I'm going to order the Timesert drain plug repair kit for just over $80 and do it myself. I'll try to update later. Regardless, this is a recurrent, common problem. I cannot believe that Victory would not amend this design, but would rather let their product sit and leak just like the other brand.
I had to do the timesert on my Vision and eventually will have to do it on my 8-Ball, Timesert is definitely the way to go and on the Vision is an easy install, just lay the bike over on the right tip-overs for easy access. |
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Tourer
Posts: 305
Vineland, NJ United States | What is the proper torque? |
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Tourer
Posts: 353
| edsasdelli - 2011-07-18 12:47 PM
What is the proper torque?
On the Vision it is 15 ft. lbs. |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | john frey - 2011-07-18 11:36 AM
Isn't the shoulder of the drain plug tapered? So a magnetic plug shouldn't give a good seal.
Not a drop left on my garage floor. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| dtoddrship - 2011-07-17 7:38 PM
Thanks for the offer, JeffMack. I've already ordered the dang kit or I'd take you up on it. Did you do the work yourself? Looking at the setup it doesn't look too technical especially if you get the 1215c kit with the guide sleeve for the tap. Anyway, I wish I would've seen your offer before I slapped down the cash on this one. Thanks!
yeah man, did the work myself. Use lots of thread oil to catch the shavings. it was a easy deal. tip overs helped a lot. used red locktight on sleeve of the timesert, thanks to Kevinx's suggestion |
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Cruiser
Posts: 79
Austin, Texas | Red locktite is rated to about 300 degrees. I'm probably going to get the high temp locktite just to be on the safe side. With the locking system in the Timesert I'm not really sure it's needed but in this case the "belt and suspenders" approach seems appropriate. |
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Tourer
Posts: 415
| I was in NO way bashing my dealer. They take much better care of my bikes than I do.
This drain plug issue is something that more and more guys are running in to.
Mainely Action Sports spent a lot of time trying to get it warranteed,
tried the timesert twice and then found the plastic washer fix on their dime.
Did not cost me a cent and they were very apologetic.
And as I have said before, they have a BAR in the back of the shop where
I get free drinks for life.
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | tralphaz - 2011-07-18 1:54 PM
edsasdelli - 2011-07-18 12:47 PM
What is the proper torque?
On the Vision it is 15 ft. lbs.
Bette double check that. Sounds like too much for such a small plug.
I would be more inclined to believe in. lbs. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
shakopee , Mn | Thats what is in the owners manual.
Hasn't caused any problems on my bike.
I do use a torque wrench.
Edited by vicguy 2011-07-19 11:26 PM
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Drain plug
