How to remove oil drain plug on XS 1100 Special

[SFerinTEXAS]

Just out of curiosity giving your new to XS status. Was the spring and washer in there when you took it apart? I have taken newly acquired bikes filters out only to find that stuff missing.(and worst).

[MaximPhil]

Hi d1,
As the bike needs to be vertical to check the oil window. I use an inspection mirror on an extending handle. sitting on the bike keep it upright and wave the mirror around until the window appears.
I too find the measured amount fills the window 1/2 way between the marks.

Phil

[donebysunday]

I use a line level sitting on the valve cover and adjust the level with a shim under the center stand.

[BA80]

I use a line level sitting on the valve cover and adjust the level with a shim under the center stand.

Huh???

It ain't a Saturn Rocket, it's a motorcycle.

[tcoop]

huh???

It ain't a saturn rocket, it's a motorcycle.

That's funny right there!

[dolphans1]

Just out of curiosity giving your new to XS status. Was the spring and washer in there when you took it apart? I have taken newly acquired bikes filters out only to find that stuff missing.(and worst).

There was a spring in the center of the oil filter, but for the bolt itself, there is no washer per say there looks like there was a rubber round washer that was used and was all squished down.

So for that center bolt that holds the holds the oil filter, should it have a brass flat type washer for it (like cars do) or do I use the little "0" ring type for it?

Also, what does that spring do? (if it goes down in the center of that round filter.)

Thanks,

d-1

[CaptonZap]

There was a spring in the center of the oil filter, but for the bolt itself, there is no washer per say there looks like there was a rubber round washer that was used and was all squished down.

So for that center bolt that holds the holds the oil filter, should it have a brass flat type washer for it (like cars do) or do I use the little "0" ring type for it?

Also, what does that spring do? (if it goes down in the center of that round filter.)

Thanks,

d-1

The spring holds the filter up against the engine boss, which seals the rubber washer in the filter against the boss.
That seals the top of the filter.
The spring goes on the post first, then there is a washer that goes on, then the filter. The washer keeps the spring from ruining the rubber washer in the filter by working its way into the rubber when everything gets hot. You NEED the washer.
When the old filter is taken out, the washer will sometimes stick to the rubber washer in the filter, and get thrown away. You can make a usable one by getting a washer that is as big around as the rubber washer in the filter, and filing the inside of the washer out so that it is a smooth fit on the center post. Thickness doesn't matter, it just has to not have any gaps that the spring can get past.
So now the spring pushes the washer, the washer pushes the lower filter rubber gasket, the filter pushes the upper rubber gasket, and the inside of the filter is sealed off from the outside everyplace but through the media.

[dolphans1]

The spring holds the filter up against the engine boss, which seals the rubber washer in the filter against the boss.
That seals the top of the filter.
The spring goes on the post first, then there is a washer that goes on, then the filter. The washer keeps the spring from ruining the rubber washer in the filter by working its way into the rubber when everything gets hot. You NEED the washer.
When the old filter is taken out, the washer will sometimes stick to the rubber washer in the filter, and get thrown away. You can make a usable one by getting a washer that is as big around as the rubber washer in the filter, and filing the inside of the washer out so that it is a smooth fit on the center post. Thickness doesn't matter, it just has to not have any gaps that the spring can get past.
So now the spring pushes the washer, the washer pushes the lower filter rubber gasket, the filter pushes the upper rubber gasket, and the inside of the filter is sealed off from the outside everyplace but through the media.

Yeah, I found the spring in the middle of the filter with no washer at all, so I wondered what purpose it served, now I get it.

But for the bolt itself, is there a washer that is used on the outside to seal the oil filter/case housing?

Thanks.

d-1

[motoman]

Yeah, I found the spring in the middle of the filter with no washer at all, so I wondered what purpose it served, now I get it.

But for the bolt itself, is there a washer that is used on the outside to seal the oil filter/case housing?

Thanks.

d-1

Nope O-rings are the seal........least better be.
With filter change, put 4 quarts in it and forget it(4.2 rec.). The 81Venturer is ONLY model that takes 4.3quarts due to extra volume needed to supply oil cooler. In this case, oil level covers all of inspection window.

[CaptonZap]

But for the bolt itself, is there a washer that is used on the outside to seal the oil filter/case housing?

Thanks.

d-1

If you pull the bolt out of the housing, you will see an O-ring about a quarter of an inch above the bolt head. That is the seal, so if it starts leaking, DO NOT torque the bolt tighter hoping to stop the leak. That leads to destructed threads in aluminum cases, cracked housing, bad ju-ju.
Use the small O-ring that came with the filter, and thank the powers that be that the PO didn't screw it up worse than he did.
If you didn't get a small O-ring with the filter, change supplier.
CZ

[TopCatGr58]

First, a little dab of grease on the O-ring on the filter bolt can help it go in smoother/easier without damaging it. Can also help keep the large one in place.

Yep, the filter needs to be positioned UP on the bolt against the engine. Look closely as the filter bolt, there is a special bypass valve in it, and it gets involved when the oil filter gets too clogged to flow/filter the oil. However, if the filter is not positioned in the proper place, then the oil actually bypasses the filter and just gets pumped back into the engine UNFILTERED which may have already occured since you found the filter down onto the spring!

T.C.

[jetmechmarty]

I always install the big o'ring with Parker Lube. The stuff is designed for this purpose. Once the ring is pasted into the groove with this stuff, it stays in place! A tube of it will last almost forever.

[dolphans1]

I always install the big o'ring with Parker Lube. The stuff is designed for this purpose. Once the ring is pasted into the groove with this stuff, it stays in place! A tube of it will last almost forever.

I looked for this product at local auto-parts store but they did not have it.

I went with standard grease.

[IMG][/IMG]

[jetmechmarty]

I looked for this product at local auto-parts store but they did not have it.

It's an aviation product. It's probably easiest to buy it online. It lasts a long time and is relatively inexpensive.

[dolphans1]

Thanks....

I went online to see if I could find fluid capacity and I did not see anything , other than the maximum and minimum level on the viewer window. Recommend 10W- 30W or 20W-40W.

Speaking of that, I changed my oil, but even prior to the change, I noticed a slight oil seepage from what appears to be the front cam adjuster seal door, looks like its fastened down by 2 allen screws close to front side cylinder heads in between the exhaust pipes, can this seal (black) be replaced?

d-1