Forum

[hagis]

Every time I remove this filter cover I remove the o ring - clean cover and o ring- inspect for damage and if all is well I smear the o ring with silicon gasket sealant and reassemble, I have never had a leak using this method, using a torc wrench on these filter cover bolts seems to be over the top, the bolts are very small and the only need nipped up with finger pressure.

[Rattlebattle]

I don't use a torque wrench for small fasteners either; I guess you either have the feel for it or you don't. Never stripped a thread or lost a fastener yet.

[jefrs]

The two little bolts don't need a big torque wrench but it is quite likely that there is some manufacturing variation in the cover. I did find mine was slightly curved, and that the groove is too deep for the O-ring, the O-ring does not protrude far enough to be compressed and thus provide a good seal. The O-ring is washed in oil and so it should be lubricated with oil. Thicker O-rings (nitrile for oil) do exist which will fit the groove, and are very cheap.

[Trev]

Time for an oil change for my Efi tmrw morning, 1800 miles since last is more enough as I tend to use most of the performance. I always change the filter (bought a job lot from our hosts), get motor nice and warm, undo main drain plug + plate with magnetic plug and oil filter cover, leave to drain for 5 mins then give a few leans to left and right and of stand rock back and forth on suspension as much as possible then leave to drain a few more minutes. Usually get 2.2/2.3 Litres out.
My main problem is that the thread on the main drain plug has been stripped since before I got the bike so I can only do it up very gently with a bit of PTFE tape. Every time I do an oil change I think time for a helicoil but it's not let go or leaked yet so 3 years, 7k miles later it's out with the PTFE tape again ; )
Also have a wire shorting out in the headlamp causing random horn beeps that needs sorting (should be pretty simple) and nothcy head bearings (not so easy), manual well confusing on this so will leave for another day; )

Happy fettling & riding people

[Tony H]

About to make my first oil change and was wondering if you guys use thread lock on any of the bolts from either the drain plugs or the 2 filter housings. Have fallen foul of the dreaded Enfield shake a number of times now and really wouldn't want to lose something that is keeping the oil in.
Thanks.

[Trev]

Tony, I've never used threadlock on any bikes oil drain plug, lockwired when necessary for racing regs but even then never knew of one letting go. See my post above ref my poor old Ennie and stripped thread, if that hasn't let go then I'm pretty sure a correctly tightened drain plug with new copper crush washer will be fine. PS I do use all of the limited performance on the Ennie which of course means vibration, happy oil changing ; )

[Rattlebattle]

I strongly advise against using thread lock on any of the drain bolts. There is a far higher risk of stripping the thread than there is of leaks and/or a bolt dropping out. Never heard of the latter but stripped threads is quite common.

[Leon Novello]

If you really want to frighten yourself, look at the oil out in the Sunlight, it can have a nice sparkle.

[Rattlebattle]

Yes; do you think the Indians will discover case hardening any time soon?😀

[Tony H]

Thanks guys, will give it a go this afternoon.