Oil plug stripped out from factory...

[SkooterG]

That's great that Yamaha stepped up after you talked to them. Too bad the dealer didn't make that happen for you. I hope the repairs get done in a timely manner and to your satisfaction.

I do feel that the dealer could have made this happen had they taken the time to explain in detail exactly what happened, what had been done and what hadn't been done...

I hate to say this, but you screwed up to begin with. After what this dealer did to your watercraft, you should never have gone back. Period.

I hope YOU have learned your lesson regarding this particular dealer.

Regardless, glad you got it resolved.

 

[giant22000]

I hate to say this, but you screwed up to begin with. After what this dealer did to your watercraft, you should never have gone back. Period.
I hope YOU have learned your lesson regarding this particular dealer.

Regardless, glad you got it resolved.

You right! I did screw up by going back. Figured I'd give them another chance, but never again!

 

[buf2phx]

I must say I am amazed at the number of dealership horror stories,and the general lack of trust/respect for dealers on this forum. I never had to have any warranty work done on my Seca II,and hope I don't need any on my Feej, so I don't have any first hand experience with Yamaha dealers. However,I've worked at GM dealerships for the past 13 years,and as far as I know no crazy BS like has been reported here ever went on. Guess I'll have to hope that if I do need anything done, I can find a decent dealer in the Phoenix area.

Mike

 

[Fred W]

+1 on the "glad you got it worked out" sentiment. And I take it from your tenor that you will not be returning to the same stealership (that refused to cover the labor) to have this repair completed now that it has been "warranty approved", right?

Being ever the cynical one, let me lay out a possible way that this went down: You came into dealership with stripped drain plug after 1st oil change. Dealer guy figures you probably screwed it up, and figures he has you by the 'nads. He knows he can get it fully covered under warranty from Mamma, (he just has to say that it happened to him during 1st oil change) and so never speaks to any corporate reps. He then gives you the story about "parts only" coverage. Figures he will collect from both Mamma at their prix fixe rate, and you at their standard rip-off labor rate of $90 (or more) per hour.

Unfortunately, partly because of the way cycle dealerships are franchised and maintained, stupid stuff like this does seem to happen at many motorcycle dealerships all too often. For many (most?) cycle owners, the bike is a recreational toy, not a transportation appliance like an auto. The dealerships know that people are more vulnerable when it comes to maintaining their bikes and don't have as many alternative options for service as they do for their cages.

 

[giant22000]

Figures he will collect from both Mamma at their prix fixe rate, and you at their standard rip-off labor rate of $90 (or more) per hour.

This would not suprise me... If they had taken the time to fully explain to them in detail what happened, I probably wouldn't have to get involved...

 

[Wee Willy]

+1 on helicoils for anyone in a similar jam. Had them installed in a Honda motor head bolt some years ago and it was the strongest bolt on the bike.

(Clicky.)

My first service at home required a 2 foot breaker bar to get the drain plug out. Tried it cold, warm & hot before resorting to the breaker bar. Required quite a bit of leverage too. I was at the point of stopping when it finally broke loose.

W2

 

[painman]

Personally I've had good results dealing with Cypress in Ca. much better than my dealer in Concord who now is out of business. And I've heard other horror stories about some dealers not adressing the problem correctly and the customer had to call Cypress. Luckily we have that option and glad you got it sorted out. Now go have some fun! PM. <>< :yahoo:

 

[giant22000]

Finally got the FJR back from the dealer after having the oil pan replaced! They did what appears to be a good job! Got about 50 or so miles on and so far so good (no oil leaks)! Just want to say thanks for everybody's help and advice for getting this resolved. If anybody else runs into this problem to the point I did, let me know and I'll get you in touch with the person that helped me at Yamaha! They need to realize that this is a problem that's ongoing (from what I read)! Once again, thanks!

 

[johnny80s]

(though I'm still contemplating whether I'll do my own valve check @ 26K...)

It is not a hard job. Go for it.

 

[ultracvo88]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Please Help!!!! When I did my last oil change myself about 5k miles ago I stripped my oil plug by over tightening!!! Somehow I was lucky that it held for 5k+ miles!! I brought my 2004 FJR abs to the dealer today for a 16k miles service and they said when they went to change the oil the plug was stripped. I believe him because I remember messing it up myself by overtightening...

So now they want 240 bucks for the new oil pan and gasket and 250 labor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read Agilrs info on her fix and was wondering if anyone could give me exact info on what I need to order for my bike!!! Please help because I am all set to go on next weeks new hampshire vermont ride with a bunch of guys on this forum!!!

My bike is at the dealer now and I feel screwed!! Yes I did this to myself but need help ASAP!!! I will try and send Agirl a message..... I am so upset that I thought of trading my bike in for a used 2007 FJR ABS model with 2k miles... dealer said hed give me 5k for my bike and wants 10,500 for the used 07.... I was going to go back tommorrow and offer him my bike and 4k... no more!! Id rather just keep my bike.... but I dont want to miss the ride next weekend!! Im such an ass!!!! I feel like I should never touch my bike again!!! saved 30 bucks by doing my own oil change and now have a 500 problem!!

Please help!!

My cell is 516-410-3795

email [email protected]

I was also planning on attending EOM in sept!!

 

[buf2phx]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Please Help!!!! When I did my last oil change myself about 5k miles ago I stripped my oil plug by over tightening!!! Somehow I was lucky that it held for 5k+ miles!! I brought my 2004 FJR abs to the dealer today for a 16k miles service and they said when they went to change the oil the plug was stripped. I believe him because I remember messing it up myself by overtightening...
So now they want 240 bucks for the new oil pan and gasket and 250 labor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read Agilrs info on her fix and was wondering if anyone could give me exact info on what I need to order for my bike!!! Please help because I am all set to go on next weeks new hampshire vermont ride with a bunch of guys on this forum!!!

My bike is at the dealer now and I feel screwed!! Yes I did this to myself but need help ASAP!!! I will try and send Agirl a message..... I am so upset that I thought of trading my bike in for a used 2007 FJR ABS model with 2k miles... dealer said hed give me 5k for my bike and wants 10,500 for the used 07.... I was going to go back tommorrow and offer him my bike and 4k... no more!! Id rather just keep my bike.... but I dont want to miss the ride next weekend!! Im such an ass!!!! I feel like I should never touch my bike again!!! saved 30 bucks by doing my own oil change and now have a 500 problem!!

Please help!!

My cell is 516-410-3795

email [email protected]

I was also planning on attending EOM in sept!!

You could ask the dealer if they will install a Time Sert,instead of replacing the pan. If you want to go it on your own,you can get the kit here Clicky,other sources Clicky. The correct kit for the factory drain plug is 14125A. Agirl used the 14150 and a Honda automotive drain plug,I believe due to availability. Good luck.

Mike

edit:Just noticed the Gen I p/n for the plug is different from the Gen II. You might want to check the thread pitch to make sure 1.25 is what you need.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Finally got the FJR back from the dealer after having the oil pan replaced! They did what appears to be a good job! Got about 50 or so miles on and so far so good (no oil leaks)! Just want to say thanks for everybody's help and advice for getting this resolved. If anybody else runs into this problem to the point I did, let me know and I'll get you in touch with the person that helped me at Yamaha! They need to realize that this is a problem that's ongoing (from what I read)! Once again, thanks!

Glad you had a good outcome and nice offer of help, too.

I want to say that, from my perspective, oil drain plug problems are a (motor vehicle) industry-wide problem. I think, every vehicle that we bought used has a crankcase drain-plug issue -- either bad threads in the pan, or on the bolt, or damaged flats on the hex-head, or a self-tapping drain-plug already fitted....it's just a problem w/many vehicles (that I see). I think, often, dealers/oil changers delegate that job to the lowest paid/least skilled employee and it goes downhill from there?

I doesn't need to be that way -- but.....

 

[ultracvo88]

Went to dealer today... told them about the Time Sert and the owner said hes been using them for 30 years. Funny the mechanic who worked on my bike never mentioned it. He said something about a helicoil which I now know is not as good..

Talked to the mechanic again today and he said that they would rather replce the oil pan b/c he said eventually the time sert or helicoil would fail....

I told them to do the timesert anyway.... now lets see how much they charge for the kit and for the install.....

they had a used 2007 with 2k miles they wanted 5k and my bike..... i offererd 4500 and my bike and he said no..... oh well....

 

[user 213]

If the TimeSert is installed correctly, it won't fail. And even if it did "fail", mostly that means it comes out with the drain plug. You clean things up with a little solvent, then reinstall the TimeSert, (or a new one if it's damaged), with some loctite and bob's your uncle.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Talked to the mechanic again today and he said that they would rather replce the oil pan b/c he said eventually the time sert or helicoil would fail....

The mechanic is correct (in my experience) -- those types of thread repair kits, while good and effective in many places, don't seem to fare well when used in places where repeated disassembly/assembly is required (like frequent oil changes...).

Wouldn't you really rather have your FJR 'first-class'...?

 

[buf2phx]

Talked to the mechanic again today and he said that they would rather replce the oil pan b/c he said eventually the time sert or helicoil would fail....

The mechanic is correct (in my experience) -- those types of thread repair kits, while good and effective in many places, don't seem to fare well when used in places where repeated disassembly/assembly is required (like frequent oil changes...).

Wouldn't you really rather have your FJR 'first-class'...?

If a Time Sert is installed properly,with red Loctite 272,it is not going to come out. Helicoils are a different story. Personally,I'd rather have an oil pan with a steel insert. That way you'd never have to worry about stripping it. YMMV.

Mike

 

[AGirl]

I will try and send Agirl a message.....

I just got your PM a few minutes ago-sorry for the delay, I don't log on frequently to receive PMs.

For those who will undoubtedly be researching this issue and perhaps reading this thread about what the heck to do about their oil drain plug drama, I've just posted this: HERE

Oh, and if you need to join the FJR Assistance Directory, the link is also in my signature below. k:

AGirl

 

[Mcgyver74]

I've used Heli Coil's on drainpans before without problems, Same idea as the TimeSert, both are good reliable fixes that can be done for way way less money then a new pan. I had about 10k on my old Connie with a HeliCoil without any issues

Few tips..

1) Before you drill out the old threads, Coat the drill bit in Grease to catch metal shavings, go slow and clean/regrease the bit a few times. Keeps metal shavings from going inside engine.

2) Do the same trick with the tap,

3) Make sure that you drill and tap STRAIGHT, go slow and be sure...

4) Before installing the insert, Take the old oil and pour it into the fill hole and let it run out the opened drain to flush any left over shavings, if you don't have old oil, get some cheap new oil...

Works like a charm!!!!