Oil drain plug stuck
- BeckyLynn
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Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 10:57
Hi there,
I can't seem to get my oil drain plug or the oil filter off of my bike. It's a 1974 KZ400. The bolt heads are stripped. I tried vice grips, but they just seemed to chew up the heads even more. I just bought the bike, so god only knows when the last time was that someone changed the oil (scary, huh?). Any suggestions on what I can do without buying any weird or special tools?
I have things like vice grips, big ol' adjustable wrench, socket set, rubber mallet, dremel, and your garden variety screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.
Thanks!
I can't seem to get my oil drain plug or the oil filter off of my bike. It's a 1974 KZ400. The bolt heads are stripped. I tried vice grips, but they just seemed to chew up the heads even more. I just bought the bike, so god only knows when the last time was that someone changed the oil (scary, huh?). Any suggestions on what I can do without buying any weird or special tools?
I have things like vice grips, big ol' adjustable wrench, socket set, rubber mallet, dremel, and your garden variety screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.
Thanks!
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- Wizzard
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 11:01
Use a chizzel or flat screww driver and use it to make a slot in the side so you can hit the screwdriver and hit with a hammer hope I explaned it right.
Wizzard!!
Wizzard!!

1977 KZ 1000
4-1 Headder
K&N filter
530 Chain & Sprokets
Rear Air Shocks
4-1 Headder
K&N filter
530 Chain & Sprokets
Rear Air Shocks
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- OKC_Kent
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 11:06
cHECK THIS LINK
kzrider.com/component/option,com_joomlab...atid,2/id,8361/#8361
Chisels not a bad idea. Buy a new bolt before you work on it.
kzrider.com/component/option,com_joomlab...atid,2/id,8361/#8361
Chisels not a bad idea. Buy a new bolt before you work on it.
Oklahoma City, OK
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
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- wireman
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- BARNEYHYPHEN
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 12:26
18" "Stilson" (Pipewrench) with a 4' gas pipe slotted over the handle. The pipewrench is designed to tighten harder and lock itself onto the bolt the more "pull" you put on it.
Obviously, if the wrench is coming out the righthand side of the bike, pull the wrench towards the back of the bike.
Good luck.
Obviously, if the wrench is coming out the righthand side of the bike, pull the wrench towards the back of the bike.
Good luck.
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- BeckyLynn
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 15:47
A pipewrench is a good idea... never thought of that. Well, I'm still waiting to find out if my local parts supplier has a new oil plug for me, so as soon as I get the new part I'll start trying all of your ideas!
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- flht1997
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 15:51
take the fill plug out and invert the bike? but seriously the filter should also be on the bottom of the motor, it will be messy but all the oil should come out there as well
Matt Milwaukee, WI
75' KZ400, (5) 78' KZ400, 76' KZ 750, 78' KZ650
78'CB750F, 78' CB550K
89' BMW R100RT
05' H-D Electra Glide
06' KLR650
Do it right or don't bother doing it at all.
75' KZ400, (5) 78' KZ400, 76' KZ 750, 78' KZ650
78'CB750F, 78' CB550K
89' BMW R100RT
05' H-D Electra Glide
06' KLR650
Do it right or don't bother doing it at all.
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- BeckyLynn
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 16:02
I thought of taking the oil filter out and draining it that way... problem is, the oil filter bolt is stripped, too! I have to get both of the bolts off and replace them. It sucks. I seriously don't think the previous owner ever bothered to change the oil; there's about 20 years of dirt and grime on those bolts!
Inverting, eh? Creative!
Inverting, eh? Creative!

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- Fossil
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 16:08
I couldn't get either the drain or fill plugs out of a JEEP transfer case. I ended up gently warming them up with a propane torch and they came out no problem. Might be worth a try.
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- wireman
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
08 Jun 2006 17:59
flht1997 wrote:
you wont get all the oil out the filter hole.take the fill plug out and invert the bike? but seriously the filter should also be on the bottom of the motor, it will be messy but all the oil should come out there as well

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- timmac59
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
14 Feb 2008 14:44
These drain plugs seize up all the time..I had the same problem... pipe wrench was definatly the best thing.. vice grips slipped,, bashed up knuckels.. and everything else wasnt strong enough...
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- bountyhunter
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Re: Oil drain plug stuck
14 Feb 2008 15:02
Use a hack saw or thin file to slot the head. Then get an impact screwdriver with a flat blade head and a hammer.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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