hi all

just dropped the oil on my 07 2t Scorpa & as the drain plug (17mm) came out so did some of the thread from the drain plug hole in the engine

 

tried a few things with no luck but when I've taken the brass washer off the drain plug I can get it to tighten in the hole but don't want to over tighten again

 

fired the bike up & it seems to be holding but I don't want to risk dumping the oil whilst riding

 

so what's the best option? do I put an helicoil insert in & if so does anyone recommend one or do I drill & tap the existing hole up a size or 2 & fit a new drain plug & again does anyone recommend anything 

 

for both options I guess I'll need to flush out the engine once I'm done to ensure there's no swarf in there so is there anything anyone recommends for this?

 

thanks, Lee

 

Can't help with the tapping but if you have not run the bike since then a quick oil drain will remove any swarf, which should only be at the hole. Drain it through your girlfriend's tights and you can reuse the oil:-)

Many auto parts stores sell slightly oversized self cutting drain plugs for this condition. I do not normally recco them, but is is an option if the length will work out.

I routinely install helicoils in car oil pans, but it is critical to get them drilled and tapped straight, which can be difficult in unusual positions.

All this is usually caused by overtorque over time, then add the expansion coefficient of the ali vs the bolt.

thanks for the advice, helicoil it is then

 

got some good advice off Nigel Birkett on this subject if anyone else has the same problem, don't be tempted to try a longer bolt as it will foul the internals