Oil Dipstick Plug

[Gsheff]

I check my oil level regularly, and tighten the oil plug finger tight (as tight as I can get it with my fingers). Apparently, on my bike at least, finger tight is not tight enough. Twice now, after rides of 40-80 miles, I noticed oil leaking. The first time the plug was loose, but still screwed down. The second time the plug had completely come unscrewed. Now I'm tightening the plug with a pair of channel locks. Not too tight, because it is plastic. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Snowdog]

Stop making long slow left turns!!

 

[SteveADV]

Really tight thread tolerances. Off by a little and you get oil all over the place (don't ask how I know ). Easy to get wrong and, like you said, if you torque it too much you can mess up the seal. That said, if I can figure it out, I guarantee you can.

 

[exavid]

I'm surprised, on my GT the thing gets tighter than I put it in after a few hours of operation. I just barely snug it by hand but almost need pliers to get it loose. In fact I just went out to the garage and checked my filler cap. It took a pair of pliers to loosen it and make the first couple turns. I had installed it with light finger pressure. It looks like it's the O-ring seal that causes the friction. Does your cap have the rubber O-ring seal?

 

[Gsheff]

Good point. Don't think I ever noticed an o-ring. I'll check in the am.

 

[Gsheff]

Good point. Don't think I ever noticed an o-ring. I'll check in the am.

Yep! O-ring present and accounted for! Still have to clean up oil spray. I'll do that this weekend. Needs a good wash anyway.

 

[Snowdog]

Are you running synthetic oil? It will find it's way out easily.

 

[Gsheff]

Are you running synthetic oil? It will find it's way out easily.

Whatever the BMW dealer use. I assume it synthetic. It definitely
finds its way around.