Stupid newbie idiot mistake/dumbass.

[dan_]

So today I changed my oil for the first time ever. Yay! I over tightened he bolt like an idiot.. wayyyyyyyy to much and it stripped. Crap. Well its 76 degrees outside so I decide to ride anyway what the worse that could happen right? Well. I don't recommend it. On my way to work the drain plug fell out. I stop at a stop sign while a nice size puddle of oil starts to form and start going again, rear wheel now covered in oil I fish tail..And recover thinking "wow that must have looked bad ass" I give it throttle again and completely spin out in the middle of the highway luckily it was at about 20 mph and I was in a leather jacket, full face helmet, gloves and jeans.. My converse have seen better days. Any way The only damage to the bike is this nasty scar in the muffler i was kinda under the bike so.. yeah. The engine did not seize. And I learned how not to tighten my drain plug. Now my question. Uhh.. How do I fix my drain plug? Two mechanics I know have said to get a thread kit and put in the next size up drain plug. One of them said he'd help me do it in his shop. Another guy told me to call my suzuki dealer and see what they recommend. One of the guys that recommended a thread kit also recommended a new oil pan altogether. What do you guys think? And don't make me feel to dumb.

[JWR]

Tap and die sets are made for a reason.

Cut new threads, use upsize bolt and washer.

No biggie.

It's just a thang,man.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by dan_

So today I changed my oil for the first time ever. Yay! I over tightened he bolt like an idiot.. wayyyyyyyy to much and it stripped. Crap. Well its 76 degrees outside so I decide to ride anyway what the worse that could happen right? Well. I don't recommend it. On my way to work the drain plug fell out. I stop at a stop sign and start going again, I fish tail..And recover thinking "wow that must have looked bad ass" I give it throttle again and completely spin out in the middle of the highway luckily it was at about 20 mph and I was in a leather jacket, full face helmet, gloves and jeans.. My converse have seen better days. Any way The only damage to the bike is this nasty scar in the muffler i was kinda under the bike so.. yeah. The engine did not seize. And I learned how not to tighten my drain plug. Now my question. Uhh.. How do I fix my drain plug? Two mechanics I know have said to get a thread kit and put in the next size up drain plug. One of them said he'd help me do it in his shop. Another guy told me to call my suzuki dealer and see what they recommend. One of the guys that recommended a thread kit also recommended a new oil pan altogether. What do you guys think? And don't make me feel to dumb.

Yipes, glad you weren't going faster. Not going to beat you up over a stripped plug. Stuff happens even with the best of intentions and experience/no experience. For the repair "I" would go with the guy who volunteered his shop and help. He most likely has the experience and can teach you some do's and don'ts. If that isn't in the cards then I believe the GZ has a replaceable section in the bottom of the engine that the plug screws into. Probably more costly but would have new threads etc.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by dan_

1) One of the guys that recommended a thread kit also recommended a new oil pan altogether.

2) And don't make me feel to dumb.

1) You lucked out.......probably. If any of those folks would have LOOKED at the bottom of the bike, they would have seen that the drain plug threads into a plate that is, in turn, bolted to the bottom of the engine block. So.....no thread kit, no new "pan", just visit Suzuki and get a new plate, with gasket and drain plug and crush washer........and then find someone who is a little less "eager" with the wrench to install it for you. If you strip THOSE 3 bolts, then you are really screwed.

2) Too late on that one; I think you already beat us to it. :roll: :biggrin:

Now for the bad news:
An engine without oil sometimes siezes AFTER it stops running and cools off. Sometimes the rings don't sieze at all but the bearings melt first.
It might self-destruct after you get it all back together and run it the first time; not likely, but possible.

I really don't think "dumb ass" is an adequate description.

[dan_]

Now for the bad news:
An engine without oil sometimes siezes AFTER it stops running and cools off. Sometimes the rings don't sieze at all but the bearings melt first.
It might self-destruct after you get it all back together and run it the first time; not likely, but possible.

After I stood my bike up with the engine off a lot of oil leaked out onto the ground still.. like a lot so it was never running with no oil. When it was on the trailer It was still leaking oil. A stopped engine thats hot with no oil can still seize?

Also, what's going to be easier? The new plate thing or the threading thing? Am I going to regret rethreading? The plate seems like its gonna be a pain in the ass to replace. Will i have to take out or jack up the engine? Cause dude i screwed up an oil change if that doesn't tell you how un-mechanically inclined I am i don't think I could give you a better example.. hell.. my driveway looked like that exxon valdeez incident few years back..

[Water Warrior 2]

Dan, sounds like you lucked out if there was still oil in the engine. My suggestion has changed a wee bit for now. Get a dealer to install a new plate on the bottom and ride on. Tell them you want the old plate has a garage decoration and reminder.

[patrick_777]

Yeah, you lucked out.

The part(s) you want are on this drawing: From BikeBandit Numbers 7-13.

On the Oil Pump schematic available at this page: Also at BikeBandit

Looks like the combined price shouldn't be more than $28 plus shipping. Also, you might want to factor in some new oil. As far as replacing it goes, it's plug and play. But buy a torque wrench first, and learn how to use it properly by reading its manual. By that, I mean realize that the GZ torque settings are ft/lbs and some wrenches are in/lbs, so divide/multiply accordingly.

[Water Warrior 2]

RE: torque wrench. Don't get the biggest one on the shelf. First determine the torque and buy accordingly. Probably a 3/8ths inch torque wrench or even a 1/4th inch will do the job. Be sure to use a little Blue Loktite on the bolts for the new plate and they will never stray.

[alanmcorcoran]

Hey dan,

Sorry you had such a shitty weekend. I am glad you didn't kill yourself when you ran over your own oil. Twice.

I am especially glad because if you were dead I wouldn't be able to thank you for making me look like a mechanical genius.

Seriously bro... coulda been me. Go with the plate.

[patrick_777]

Dan,

Read this thread by Primal. He did this exact same thing with success.

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