yep, the washers on those plugs look pretty specialized and I could tell that it was the washer that formed the seal. I was attempting to match the factory pressure levels on those washers when the thread got jumped. I guess I'll find out if slightly past 'hand tight' is enough pressure to hold the seal. Best case, Kubota writes back and says "yeah, we've had some issues with this in the past ur not the first one, we'll send a trailer out to get it and replace that part lickedy-split", worst case we've got an automotive repair place across the road from us I might go ask to see how much they'd charge to re-bore a drain plug hole and compare that to the self-boring plugs mentioned earlier.
Do I have a problem? (Xmission oil pan plug)
- Thread starter Steel15
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Thanks Kenny and all u other guys for the help. Sounds like a trip across the street to the car repair place might be my best bet. I'll refill the B2920 tomorrow with fluids and fire her up and see if she leaks, then I'll go ask the shop what they'd charge to fix that plug, if they say "**** no, we're a car shop not a tractor shop we don't want the liability issues that that would bring" then I'll look at the self-boring plug route.
KennyV
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Like I said ... for a temporary fix, (It will get you through the summer and fall).
Get an expanding rubber plug. They stand the heat and will last BUT they are NOT reusable. They don't leak and can not fall out. They are not commonly used because a lot of people do not understand one time use. KennyV
Get an expanding rubber plug. They stand the heat and will last BUT they are NOT reusable. They don't leak and can not fall out. They are not commonly used because a lot of people do not understand one time use. KennyV
bp fick
Super Member
A self tapping plug will not do any more damage than what is already done, if you don't go up size.
There are lots of heli-coil type products which will do a nice job. These Kubotas, like a Honda or other Japanese machine, either cycle or auto, use a different philosophy than what developed here in N.A. Having a Honda for over 10 years, I have gotten used to changing out the drain plug gasket every other time. SOP. Japan was using cast aluminum and finer, softer hardware while we were still pushing around 6000 lb, cast iron avenue cruisers. There is a kind of mental adjustment to feeling things a little differently when wrenching a Honda or Kubota. It isn't a 65 Chrysler with a slant 6 or 318, that's for sure.
Relax. 1000s of bolts get stripped out everyday all over the world. Put your feet up and watch a baseball game or something. It'll be fine.
There are lots of heli-coil type products which will do a nice job. These Kubotas, like a Honda or other Japanese machine, either cycle or auto, use a different philosophy than what developed here in N.A. Having a Honda for over 10 years, I have gotten used to changing out the drain plug gasket every other time. SOP. Japan was using cast aluminum and finer, softer hardware while we were still pushing around 6000 lb, cast iron avenue cruisers. There is a kind of mental adjustment to feeling things a little differently when wrenching a Honda or Kubota. It isn't a 65 Chrysler with a slant 6 or 318, that's for sure.
Relax. 1000s of bolts get stripped out everyday all over the world. Put your feet up and watch a baseball game or something. It'll be fine.
KennyV
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bp fick is so right...
This I am sure seems like a big problem... but is quite common. Easy fix, several different ways.
The shop across the street would most likely jump at the chance to get the work... Plus be a good neighbor. Most likely will come across the street and repair it where it sets BEFORE you put oil in it. KennyV
This I am sure seems like a big problem... but is quite common. Easy fix, several different ways.
The shop across the street would most likely jump at the chance to get the work... Plus be a good neighbor. Most likely will come across the street and repair it where it sets BEFORE you put oil in it. KennyV
Yup, after doing a bit more reading it seems that the rubber plugs are preferable to the self-tapping fixes, even read one guy who said he just bought a couple of rubber plugs and just replaces them every time he changes the oil. As I'm not due to change HST oil again for another 350 hours, that could be like 2 years from now. Is there really nothing naughty about using a rubber plug through 2 years of use and temps ranging from -20 to 90 deg. F and then just slapping another new rubber plug in there the next time I change HST oil? If so I'll sleep alot better tonight. And thanks for the advice bp fick on the different mind-set between maintaining the Japan/Kubota stuff and the HMMVW and Bradleys I was used to maintaining in the Army. No place for brute force on the delicate flower of a Kubota tractor let alone drain pans (there are TON of hits when you search 'stripped drain plug') in general. I know that now.
638
Platinum Member
What is the size of the existing plug (diameter and thread pitch)? Knowing that, I can recomend the next size larger (english and/or metric) that the hole can be tapped out to. Then all you have to do is buy that size bolt, cut it to length, and put a gasket on it.
KennyV
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You could most likely run a 1000 hours or 10 years on the expanding rubber plug. What you can't do is remove and reuse it.
BTW your temp swing is NOT -20 to 90 degrees...
It's closer to -20 to 200 degrees... Hydro oil gets hot. Got to go now , it's been fun . good luck and what everyou do Will Work ... KennyV
BTW your temp swing is NOT -20 to 90 degrees...
It's closer to -20 to 200 degrees... Hydro oil gets hot. Got to go now , it's been fun . good luck and what everyou do Will Work ... KennyV
bp fick
Super Member
Exactly how I'd do mine, if this were in my shop. I'd probably grab the next size up, which would/might even be SAE, so as to just go up a step. Grab my tap and cut the hole for a new plug. I'd load it with heavy grease to catch the cuttings. Actually, since the case is empty, it would be an easy flush anyhow. No worries. I've tapped new threads countless times. But again, this is essentially what a quality, self tapping drain plug does anyhow.
wdchyd
Elite Member
Nice tip BP Fick,
I'll be looking into these for future use, I have a motorcycle/snowmobile/boat dealer next door at work and just a couple of days ago they came in looking for an alternative to "Helicoil".....their problem was tapping out perfectly straight and perpendicular, gaskets were not sealing, this is perfect for that application....the drain holes for some machines they service are recessed and are hard to line up flat.....this will work perfectly for them.....
Thanx, Bill
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