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Seized sump drain plug!

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Andrew_s
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Seized sump drain plug!

#1 PostAuthor: Andrew_s » Sun Apr 26, 2020 1:26 pm

Went to do an oil and filter change on my Z900 and the bloody 17mm sump drain plug is seized solid and won't budge!
The oil and filter were last changed in June 2017 (2,500 miles ago), but I haven't used the bike for the last year, other than to start it up every now and again.

I've tried a 12" extension bar, but it won't budge other than bike wobbles on the centre stand! :shock: Don't want to strip the bolt head so haven't gone near it my impact wrench, but if this was one of my old Triumph cars I'd use my blow lamp but with the Z900 engine being alloy I'm hovering on that idea.

Any suggestions gratefully received.
Current Bikes:
Phil Churchett's 1976 Z900 A4: PRE 2R https://www.flickr.com/photos/115740825@N05/albums/72157680116996884
1973 XL250 K0 Motosport: UKX 73L
2023 R1250 GSA
Previous Zeds: Z750B1 Twin, Z650B1, Z750E

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Pigford
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#2 PostAuthor: Pigford » Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:06 pm

Drill sump plug, run a tap thru' it & fit a bolt - new (smaller) drain plug :up
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CAT3
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#3 PostAuthor: CAT3 » Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:19 pm

I'd just try warming the sump where the drain bolts screws in. It shouldn't take much just to expand the alloy slightly & get the sump bolt out.
I'd also use a long breaker-bar rather than a shorter ratchet if it's that tight.

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Tonto
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#4 PostAuthor: Tonto » Sun Apr 26, 2020 3:47 pm

Andrew, had same issue with both a Z13 and my Z900 - only one year after doing an oil / filter change.
I tried a little penetrating oil, heat and an extension bar but there was more chance of the bike toppling over than the 17mm plug coming free.

I know you said you did not want to go near the impact wrench, but as a last resort I ended up using my my trusty cordless impact wrench "rattle gun" - even set at a low torque setting - it soon sorted it ! Must say I was relieved when it worked OK :)
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Andrew_s
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#5 PostAuthor: Andrew_s » Sun Apr 26, 2020 7:52 pm

Thanks folks, some good tips to think about - hopefully I'll shift it without rounding off the bolt head or getting too drastic.

Cheers,
Andrew
Current Bikes:
Phil Churchett's 1976 Z900 A4: PRE 2R https://www.flickr.com/photos/115740825@N05/albums/72157680116996884
1973 XL250 K0 Motosport: UKX 73L
2023 R1250 GSA
Previous Zeds: Z750B1 Twin, Z650B1, Z750E

chrisu
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#6 PostAuthor: chrisu » Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:26 am

agree - a bit of heat won't hurt.

worst case i've got a spare sump pan...

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Andrew_s
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#7 PostAuthor: Andrew_s » Mon Apr 27, 2020 1:43 pm

Cracked it folks, got it off - 30 seconds of a little heat, my 18" extension bar and a 12 point socket did the trick!

Thanks for the offer Chris, thankfully I don't need to take you up on it.
Current Bikes:
Phil Churchett's 1976 Z900 A4: PRE 2R https://www.flickr.com/photos/115740825@N05/albums/72157680116996884
1973 XL250 K0 Motosport: UKX 73L
2023 R1250 GSA
Previous Zeds: Z750B1 Twin, Z650B1, Z750E

Steve Cooke
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#8 PostAuthor: Steve Cooke » Tue Apr 28, 2020 7:59 am

Andrew did you mean a six point socket?

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Andrew_s
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#9 PostAuthor: Andrew_s » Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:38 pm

Steve Cooke wrote:Andrew did you mean a six point socket?


No Steve, a 12 point for more bite than a 6 pt - like this one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-Square-Drive-Hi-Torq-174-12-Point-Socket-17Mm-Draper-33167/312392840395?epid=927811778&hash=item48bc1074cb:g:IzIAAOSwYwZcHTT9
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Current Bikes:
Phil Churchett's 1976 Z900 A4: PRE 2R https://www.flickr.com/photos/115740825@N05/albums/72157680116996884
1973 XL250 K0 Motosport: UKX 73L
2023 R1250 GSA
Previous Zeds: Z750B1 Twin, Z650B1, Z750E

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CAT3
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#10 PostAuthor: CAT3 » Tue Apr 28, 2020 11:06 pm

Not that it matters now, but I would have thought a good quality 6-point socket would be far less likely to round off an undamaged nut or bolt than any 12-point socket.
12-point sockets are really for 12-point nuts/bolts.

Steve Cooke
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#11 PostAuthor: Steve Cooke » Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:27 am

That was my thoughts, a good quality six point socket is far superior to a twelve point, it did the job though so that's the main thing.

kev edwards
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Re: Seized sump drain plug!

#12 PostAuthor: kev edwards » Wed Apr 29, 2020 8:32 am

For these applications six side, i have a set of Hitachi rattle gun sockets for such times.


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