[Texn]

One of our Honda Ranchers was damaged by a mechanic while replacing the oil plug. The receiving threads are now stripped and allow oil to slowly drip out until dry. Replacing the threaded plug by itself wont work since both are stripped.
One easy fix I have heard of on tractors is using some form of a plug that has rubber washers or something on it. You basically screw/push the rubber plug in and problem is solved. Anyone know about this regarding ATVs?

 

[Exaviator]

My first thought would be to have you friendly mechanic make the repair--especially if he/she is the only one changing the oil. He could use a helicoil repair or the hole could be drilled out and retapped to the next size up. He may be able to find a longer plug that will reach up into threads that he hasn't damaged. Or he could try a tapered plug that will self thread. Rubber washers and engine oil and heat do not mix. I would stay away from that.

 

[Helmut]

I agree ^^^^^^^^.

 

[Texn]

Thanks for the advice guys. There is some type of plug that has a rubber seal in it. I just dont know what it is called. I will definitely take your advice.

 

[Helmut]

Thanks for the advice guys. There is some type of plug that has a rubber seal in it. I just dont know what it is called. I will definitely take your advice.

But if the threads are stripped out, how does it stay in, unless you're talking about something like an automotive freeze plug or plumbing expansion plug that is made out of neoprene rubber and has a washer on the back and a nut and washer on the front of it that expands the rubber when tightened.

Is this what you're talking about? This one is used in plumbing, but the automotive freeze/expansion plug is the same except it has a regular nut and it's not plastic.

 

[Texn]

I believe that is it Helmut. I personally have never seen one that is for automotive, but someone that had used them for tractors suggested I look into ones for ATVs. You ever seen them for ATVs?

 

[jkhuntin]

Just don't know if I would trust my atv engine to a plug that is not threaded, but that's just me. If it were mine I would go the drill and tap route. Use alot of grease to keep shavings out of oil.

 

[Boris]

Due to vibration and UPO's I wouldn't do the rubber plug thing. Pending the size of the plug, they do make oversize plugs. You would just have to drill and tap to a larger size. It will take you longer to do the legwork for the stuff than to do the new install. You just have to make sure to drill the oversize new hole straight.

 

[Green]

This is just one of the reasons why nobody but me works on my machines. I would make the mechanic buy a new oil pan and plug.

 

[littlejohn444]

For a quick fix you can wrap the plug with teflon tape , it should stop the slow drip. I have use it on brake bolts to keep the fluid from seeping by a bad washer until I could get more. It should hold up to oil.

 

[Helmut]

I believe that is it Helmut. I personally have never seen one that is for automotive, but someone that had used them for tractors suggested I look into ones for ATVs. You ever seen them for ATVs?

I have never seen anything like that for ATVs. They are used to replace the metal freeze/expansion plugs in automotive engines in case the engine freezes and pops one out. The engines come from the factory with the metal ones, but the rubber plugs are just a little easier to use, they're easier to install without a leak.

I would have to agree with everyone else. I wouldn't use one of those for an oil plug. Unless you have a very large drain plug, I doubt if you could find an automotive plug small enough. Most of the expansion holes in an automotive block are around 1-1/2 inches in diameter. You might find one as small as 1-1/4 or 1 inch, but I doubt you could find one any smaller than that. If you could find one to fit, it might make temporary repair, but for a permanent repair, I would use a heli-coil or retap threads.

 

[Texn]

Yeah. Looking like its gonna be the drilling route. The mechanics where I am from are horrible with ATVs. You pretty much have to drive two hours to take it somewhere competent. Thanks for the help guys.