New oil drain plug for BX2200

botalvr · Jul 30, 2004

Anyone replaced/upgraded their oil drain plug to a valve type?
I have seen these for cars that get frequent oil changes, but can't find any for my BX.
The oil plug on mine feels like sometime soon it will strip, and with only 450 hours, I will be changing oil many more times.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowrev · Jul 30, 2004

One thing to keep in mind, will the drain valve be in an area likely to get broken off by something hitting it ? If so I recommend to keep using the drain plug, pretty well foolproof.

Junkman · Jul 30, 2004

A drain plug with a good gasket only needs to be snug enough to not leak or work loose. If you are over tightening it, you are slowly destroying the threads in the drain pan nut. If you do strip out the drain pan nut, you will need to remove the oil pan and weld in another. Not a fun job. I suggest that you consider a replacement gasket and a new drain plug and see if that helps the situation. If you have already damaged the threads, there isn't any good remedy other than replacement. Many times when a person refers to "stripped" threads, they are referring to threads that have been pulled out. Cross threading is also another problem that requires replacement of the drain plug nut. Some resourceful people just re-tap the nut to a larger size, but they run the gamble that they will get metal filings inside of the oil pan. No matter how you do this repair, it is going to take you more time than you anticipate to do it correctly. If you use a shorter wrench to reinstall the drain plug, you are less likely to over tighten it. It is a matter of leverage, combined with your strength. If you have a habit of tightening things 1/2 turn before they strip, I suggest that you invest in a torque wrench to limit your ability to destroy things. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

gsganzer · Jul 30, 2004

I think on the BX, a valve would hang down too low and be subject to getting snagged. I put a valve on an onan engine on my old garden tractor, but it stuck out the side and wasn't a snag hazard.

To Junkmans response regarding stripping threads on the pan:

I've never understood why none of the manufacturers make the drain plug out of brass or bronze. It seems like the softer metal would seal better and if it did get over tightened, you'd only strip the threads on the plug. There must be some reason I haven't considered. (Maybe thermal growth differences) I notice that most of the new cars have a teflon washer on the plug to help it seal and prevent over tightening.

slowrev · Jul 30, 2004

"I notice that most of the new cars have a teflon washer on the plug to help it seal and prevent over tightening. "

I thought the teflon/nylon seal was so that they did not have to make the parts fit as well (cheaper). Same thing with O rings in gaskets. They inevitably dry out/harden and leak. A well done gasket will work forever.

Henro · Jul 30, 2004

If you have already damaged the threads, there isn't any good remedy other than replacement. 

Somebody please confirm it if I am right, or shoot me down if my memory is playing games with me...but I think I remember having a stripped drain plug in an oil pan once, and want to remember buying some kind of repair item, that had a course thread that chewed its way into the original hole, and a plug in the middle that served as a new, but smaller, drain plug...

Am I nuts, or does such a thing actually exist? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Wait. Or is that a corse thread? Humm...Sounds like it's going to be the junkman to the rescue again... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

gsganzer · Jul 30, 2004

Henro,
I think you're referring to "Healer coils" (I think that's how it's spelled). Never used one, but I know people that have used them for stripped maifold studs etc.

KENSFM · Jul 30, 2004

Henro,
That is "coarse" thread. And yes such a device does exist, you are not nuts. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

KENSFM · Jul 30, 2004

( Henro,
I think you're referring to "Healer coils" )

A "HeliCoil" is a color of a different horse. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Ken /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

fishman · Jul 30, 2004

Actually, the oil drain plug on my b2910 is brass. Like you, I thought this was a good sign, and indicative that the engineers at Kubota design knew what they were doing.