Author Topic: Got an oil leak........and a question? (Read 4203 times)

lharrell79 · « **on:** October 03, 2005, 12:24:30 AM »

Well, I picked up a 98 bandit 600 bout a month ago, and have slowly been doing a little fixer uppers to the bike. Today I got to the oil. I noticed that the bike has an oil leak. It's coming from the drain plug. When I pulled the plug out today, it has a washer between the pan and the plug. The washer doesn't seem factory though. It is about 1/4" thick, and the center diameter of the washer is about 1/4" to big for the plug. Basically when you put the washer on the plug, it can move all around instead of being tight.

On bikebandit.com, the part microfiche shows these two pieces as the plug, and a gasket. Is this washer really the factory part, or is the so called gasket supposed to be a plastic gasket that goes in there. I'm thinking that this giant washer that is on the plug is not supposed to be there, and that's why it is leaking. Can anyone here verify what is actually supposed to be between the plug and the pan??

Lucas

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2005, 01:15:38 AM »

The "gasket" is a washer, but it fits tighter than that and is a bronze washer. According to the book, it's supposed to be replaced every time you drain the oil - but almost no one does that. (I still have my original one at ~40K miles.) You should be able to find a suitable replacement at your favorite auto parts store. It'll probably be a lot cheaper than buying it from a motorcycle specialty place, even a discount one.

lharrell79 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2005, 08:26:11 PM »

I'm still not sure if this is the right plug and washer that's on the bike right now. When I took the plug off the other day, I had to use a 24mm wrench. Does this seem right? I'm thinking maybe the guy that had the bike before me mighted have stripped the plug hole, and retapped it with something bigger.

Lucas

Red01 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2005, 09:10:14 PM »

I don't recall the size off-hand, but if that's what you suspect, take the plug down to the parts store and find an oil pan washer that fits.

elofdahl · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2005, 12:26:16 AM »

Quote from: "lharrell79"

When I took the plug off the other day, I had to use a 24mm wrench. Does this seem right?

Lucas

The original oil drain plug required a 17mm wrench!

lharrell79 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2005, 09:07:12 AM »

Quote from: "elofdahl"

Quote from: "lharrell79"
When I took the plug off the other day, I had to use a 24mm wrench. Does this seem right?

Lucas

The original oil drain plug required a 17mm wrench!

Is that for a 98 bandit 600? Are you sure?

Lucas

GaryB12VA · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2005, 01:06:31 PM »

IIRC the drain plug on my 2002 B12S takes a 21mm wrench. And the Suzuki filters at my dealer come with a new washer scotch-taped to the box at no extra charge.

I usually buy the K&Ns that have a 17mm nut on the front of the filter.

elofdahl · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2005, 01:58:03 PM »

"Is that for a 98 bandit 600? Are you sure? "

I am not positive...I'm basing it on the Suzuki part number (09247-14001) on the microfiche available at the "Ron Ayers Motorsports" website. That part number is for a 14 x1.25 drain bolt. The industry standard for a drain bolt with 14mm threads is to use a 17mm head (as was used on my '03 GSF1200S).

What is the thread diameter and pitch of your drain bolt?