Stripped Oil Plug

**BATTLEGUN** · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2010, 08:36 AM

Sometimes I wonder why I even try? Just as the title says, I stripped my oil plug yesterday. Talk about mad. It would have been different if I put a lot torque on it, but I was just turning it with a standard 1/4 drive ratchet. It never even got tight. When it wouldn't tighten I removed the plug to find the threads full of metal from the block. I'm going to call the service department Monday to get their opinion on what to do, then I'll make a judgement call from there. I'll be sure to post what actions I take. In the meantime, I'm open for opinions on possible fixes or to just listen to past experiences with this.

**1Bad1000Xxc** · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2010, 10:12 AM

I am guessing that this isn't the time that stripped them, but rather than last time you changed the oil, it got a little too tight and broke the threads. Then this time they came on apart when you removed the plug.

I've heard of this time and time again. I think the only REAL way to fix it is to heli-coil it.

I can't for the life of me understand why can-am makes the bottom of the engine case either so soft or so thin that this is a recurring problem.

Buster

**BATTLEGUN** · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2010, 10:22 AM

This is the first time I've serviced it myself. The other time was the dealership. Whatya gonna do? I shoulda just let them do it again and then they would have bought it. Heli-coil was mentioned in my conversations yesterday. I'm not sure what it is yet though.

**1Bad1000Xxc** · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2010, 10:27 AM

You don't know what a heli-coil is?

**GRIZZLYWIZARD** · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2010, 11:54 AM

This is a big problem with the Can Ams.

What I would do, try a bigger plug or what Buster said, get a heli-coil kit, drill it out and replace it with that. A helicoil is simply a coil that insets into the re-fitted (with tap) hole and allows you to re-use the same bolt/plug. It will make it a much stronger setup and you'll not have to worry about it again.

Another alternative is buy a bigger plug, drill and tap the hole for the new plug. It will not be as stronger than the heli coil but it is a quicker solution.

Once you figure it out, buy 10 qts of the cheapest oil you can find and flush it real good to remove any shavings of metal filings from the process.

I would ignore anything the stealership told me as they are likely the guys who got you into this predicament in the first place by tightening the thing too tight.

Good luck!

**BATTLEGUN** · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2010, 07:48 AM

Thanks Bdub and GW. At first I hadn't heard of heli-coil, but have since figured it out. That sounds like the route to go. If I can find one to match the plug, it will probably be my course of action. If not, I will just go with the larger plug option. If I'm the one servicing the ATV, I shouldn't have to worry about it again. What a PITA!

**BATTLEGUN** · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2010, 04:15 PM

Oil plug (actually the drain hole) has been fixed. We used a tap slightly larger than the hole but this time we used pipe threading. That is to say that the threads tapper and the further you run the plug in the tighter it gets. Now the plug is sealing with the threads istead of the head of the plug. We also used some sealing tape on the threads. Of course we flushed it out really good several times. End state - we felt very comfortable with the outcome, but of course I'll be keeping a close eye on it just to make sure.