Oil Drain Plug Gasket Question

Spondulas · 06-02-2017, 01:47 PM

A couple of days ago, I changed the oil and filter in the new-to-me 2013 Voyager. I removed the front drain plug and noted what appeared to be two separate aluminum crush washers on the bolt. However, when I attempted to separate them, I was unable to do so; it was if they were a single piece with a grove all the way around the circumference. Not having any replacement washers, I didn't put a lot of effort into trying to separate them. The rear drain bolt didn't have a washer at all. I finished the oil change by putting everything back like I found it. Thankfully, no leaks.

I tried looking up the drain plugs and washers on some of the on-line parts fiche but the diagram was of no help. My question is, did the bike come from the factory with two single or a double thick crush washer on the front and no crush washer on the back or has the previous owner assembled it incorrectly?

Thanks in advance for any insight you might offer. BTW, I now have a supply of the appropriate washers to make things correct the next oil change, just as soon as I can figure out what correct is!

skullbagger · 06-02-2017, 02:43 PM

I would almost bet money it was the last person who did the oil change,
very suprised the second plug didn't leak a drop!

**JD Hog** · 06-02-2017, 02:44 PM

One washer goes on each plug.

Spondulas · 06-02-2017, 03:20 PM

Thanks guys for the quick response. I'll put a single washer on each drain plug when it starts to leak or next oil change, whichever comes first. Wasn't leaking before so maybe I can sneak this one by, too!

Thanks again.

Moriarty862 · 06-02-2017, 04:19 PM

Bought new 2016 and has no washers on either drain plug from the factory

Gypsy Dragon · 06-02-2017, 04:35 PM

On my Vaquero, I haven't been able to get the washers off the plugs. It seems like they were threaded on all the way to the bolt head and don't have enough tolerance to just pull off.

redjay · 06-02-2017, 05:08 PM

A small screwdriver between the washer and the drain plug usually gets them separated.

Spondulas · 06-02-2017, 05:25 PM

My washers were all the way to the bolt head and while there was a slight amount of free play at the bolt head, the washer(s) wouldn't go down the threaded part with bare-handed effort. Now that I have replacement washers, I'll experiment with it a little more at the next oil change or if it starts to leak, whichever comes first. Based on Moriarty 862's response, maybe I'm safe till the oil change!

Thanks again for all your input.

RACNRAY · 06-03-2017, 10:16 AM

For really stuck washers clamp the head of the drain plug in a vice and "unthread" the washer with a pair of pliers. EASY PEASY.

Gonna let u'all in on a secret I've been using for years. On EVERY oil change I remove the washer(s) and re-install it onto the drain plug in reverse order. Re-establishes the surfaces of the washer(s) for new contact impressions. With aluminum washers you can usually do this 3 or 4 times b4 needing to replace the washers.

RACNRAY

TX1700 · 06-03-2017, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

For really stuck washers clamp the head of the drain plug in a vice and "unthread" the washer with a pair of pliers. EASY PEASY.

Gonna let u'all in on a secret I've been using for years. On EVERY oil change I remove the washer(s) and re-install it onto the drain plug in reverse order. Re-establishes the surfaces of the washer(s) for new contact impressions. With aluminum washers you can usually do this 3 or 4 times b4 needing to replace the washers.

RACNRAY

Damn, I thought that was my secret! I started that many years ago! Maybe great minds think alike.

RACNRAY · 06-03-2017, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX1700

Damn, I thought that was my secret! I started that many years ago! Maybe great minds think alike.

Great mind me? HHHMMM...

VulcanE · 06-03-2017, 04:30 PM

My Nissan Frontier uses a copper washer that from the side looks like 2 washers. It does have 1 thread and it screws onto the drain bolt all the way to the head. You can usually get the old one off by hand, but sometimes I have to do like Ray said.

gv550 · 06-03-2017, 06:26 PM

Every year and every model of Vulcan 1700 uses one aluminum washer on each plug. If it didn't come off with the plug then it is stuck to the engine. If it is threaded onto the plug then some (idiot) overtorqued the plug and deformed the washer to extrude into the threads.
Drain plug torque is 20 Nm, the washer will seal perfectly and not deform.

**smokier** · 06-04-2017, 06:12 AM

Cant seem to find the link, however, someone here had posted a link to a bulk purchase of like washers. Bag of fifty <?> for very reasonable price... Anybody else remember that post?

skullbagger · 06-04-2017, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gv550

Every year and every model of Vulcan 1700 uses one aluminum washer on each plug. If it didn't come off with the plug then it is stuck to the engine. If it is threaded onto the plug then some (idiot) overtorqued the plug and deformed the washer to extrude into the threads.

Drain plug torque is 20 Nm, the washer will seal perfectly and not deform.

Amen brother

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06-02-2017, 01:47 PM	#1
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	Oil Drain Plug Gasket Question A couple of days ago, I changed the oil and filter in the new-to-me 2013 Voyager. I removed the front drain plug and noted what appeared to be two separate aluminum crush washers on the bolt. However, when I attempted to separate them, I was unable to do so; it was if they were a single piece with a grove all the way around the circumference. Not having any replacement washers, I didn't put a lot of effort into trying to separate them. The rear drain bolt didn't have a washer at all. I finished the oil change by putting everything back like I found it. Thankfully, no leaks. I tried looking up the drain plugs and washers on some of the on-line parts fiche but the diagram was of no help. My question is, did the bike come from the factory with two single or a double thick crush washer on the front and no crush washer on the back or has the previous owner assembled it incorrectly? Thanks in advance for any insight you might offer. BTW, I now have a supply of the appropriate washers to make things correct the next oil change, just as soon as I can figure out what correct is! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-02-2017, 02:43 PM	#2
skullbagger Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: N.C. Posts: 727	I would almost bet money it was the last person who did the oil change, very suprised the second plug didn't leak a drop! __________________ " If your like most people its not for you " VULCAN VAQUERO
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06-02-2017, 02:44 PM	#3
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,959	One washer goes on each plug. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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06-02-2017, 04:19 PM	#5
Moriarty862 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 36	Bought new 2016 and has no washers on either drain plug from the factory Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-02-2017, 04:35 PM	#6
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	On my Vaquero, I haven't been able to get the washers off the plugs. It seems like they were threaded on all the way to the bolt head and don't have enough tolerance to just pull off. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU
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06-02-2017, 03:20 PM	#4
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	Thanks guys for the quick response. I'll put a single washer on each drain plug when it starts to leak or next oil change, whichever comes first. Wasn't leaking before so maybe I can sneak this one by, too! Thanks again.
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06-02-2017, 05:08 PM	#7
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,978	A small screwdriver between the washer and the drain plug usually gets them separated.
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06-02-2017, 05:25 PM	#8
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	My washers were all the way to the bolt head and while there was a slight amount of free play at the bolt head, the washer(s) wouldn't go down the threaded part with bare-handed effort. Now that I have replacement washers, I'll experiment with it a little more at the next oil change or if it starts to leak, whichever comes first. Based on Moriarty 862's response, maybe I'm safe till the oil change! Thanks again for all your input.
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06-03-2017, 10:16 AM	#9
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	For really stuck washers clamp the head of the drain plug in a vice and "unthread" the washer with a pair of pliers. EASY PEASY. Gonna let u'all in on a secret I've been using for years. On EVERY oil change I remove the washer(s) and re-install it onto the drain plug in reverse order. Re-establishes the surfaces of the washer(s) for new contact impressions. With aluminum washers you can usually do this 3 or 4 times b4 needing to replace the washers. RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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06-03-2017, 04:30 PM	#12
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	My Nissan Frontier uses a copper washer that from the side looks like 2 washers. It does have 1 thread and it screws onto the drain bolt all the way to the head. You can usually get the old one off by hand, but sometimes I have to do like Ray said. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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06-03-2017, 06:26 PM	#13
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	Every year and every model of Vulcan 1700 uses one aluminum washer on each plug. If it didn't come off with the plug then it is stuck to the engine. If it is threaded onto the plug then some (idiot) overtorqued the plug and deformed the washer to extrude into the threads. Drain plug torque is 20 Nm, the washer will seal perfectly and not deform. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
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06-04-2017, 06:12 AM	#14
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Cant seem to find the link, however, someone here had posted a link to a bulk purchase of like washers. Bag of fifty <?> for very reasonable price... Anybody else remember that post?
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