Z1OwnersClub GB

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! 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.

Drill sump plug, run a tap thru' it & fit a bolt - new (smaller) drain plug

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.

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

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

agree - a bit of heat won't hurt.

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

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.

Andrew did you mean a six point socket?

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

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.

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.

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