Sump Plug

[scouse645]

after nicely rounding off the 12mm sump plug, i bought the irwin nut remover set, worked a treat after hammering the 11mm nut remover on, i bought the sp1 sump plug which is 17mm and it fitted fine, i just wanted to know if there is any reason why i shouldn't use that size?

[agentpineapple]

as long as the thread is the same and it seals properly, it really makes no difference.

[sirch345]

There is noting wrong with the correct one, providing they are torqued up to the right torque value when replacing. The problems arise when people over tighten them at oil changes,

Chris.

[scouse645]

Thanks for the replies, someone must have over tightened it last year

[sirch345]

Thanks for the replies, someone must have over tightened it last year

the problem is owners are inclined to over tighten the sump plug because they are worried it may come lose otherwise, I know I've done that myself many years ago.
I actually split the sump on my Honda 400/four doing just that

May be a torque wrench could be added to your Christmas or Birthday list, if you don't already have one,

Chris.

[Cadbury64]

Buy a torque wrench!

My god father (an English tool maker for his whole, now-ended life) gave me a 3/8" drive torque wrench for my 21st birthday. It has served me well for 30+ years, and I have not stripped any bolts nor had any come loose in all that time.

[tony.mon]

Cheaper option: drill a hole in the plug and lock wire it, you can do it up fairly lightly (but properly) and you can be sure you won't have it undoing itself.
So there won;t be any reason to overtighten it.
The only problem with w larger head size is that it leads you to believe that because it needs a bigger spanner it needs to be done up tighter.
But it makes it less likely to round when undoing it.

[scouse645]

I have got a torque wrench, not sure if it goes as low as 30Nm, i will have to check, if not i will buy one that does go that low, always come in handy.

[agentpineapple]

I've got a draper large and small torque wrenches, the small one starts at 10nm iirc, the large one starts at 40nm.

[scouse645]

I've got a draper large and small torque wrenches, the small one starts at 10nm iirc, the large one starts at 40nm.

I have just checked the one i have and it starts at 27nm, so that will do for that job.