Managed to strip 2009 250r oil filter bolt and drain bolt - help!

dragonrider

dragonrider

Well-known member
Hi guys,
I had my first oil change at Rose Toe in early spring and I tried to do it myself this evening. Both bolts were so tight (not sure they were over-torqued or not as I don't know what the normal force anyway). I ended up having to use pipe wrench to loosen the oil filter bolt. I think I managed to strip the filter bolt at least and possibly the drain bolt too. Here are my questions need your guys help.
1. Will there be any damage to my bike if those bolts were over-torqued?
2. I plan to replace both bolts. Any local store will carry them? I live in Richmond Hill. I don't want to order online as I don't want to wait.
3. How tight is too tight? I am a fairly strong guy and just can't believe it took so much force to loosen those bolts.
4. I don't have torque-wrench. any tips on how to tighten those bolts?
5. What's a good torque-wrench you guys recommend? Not too expensive and does the job.

Sorry for so many questions. I am just so frustrated by supposedly a simple task. Any advice will be really appreciated. I want to get back on road tomorrow!
 
Just rounded off the bolts.
 
OP go to Kahuna Kawasaki at Steeles/Weston they sell all those bolts, I also stripped mine in my old bike. The bolt should be only as tight as there is no oil dripping. Screw it with your hand as tight as you can, and then just twist it with a socket about 1/4th of a turn!
 
Thanks!
 
Dealers tend to tighten the living **** out of oil bolts and filters because of liability and no it doesn't hurt your bike. I just tighten filters and oil bolts decently tight, turn the bike on for 30 seconds run your hand under both of them to check for leaks. Never failed me yet and I've done countless oil changes
 
If you are going to continue to do your own oil changes do yourself a favour and buy a torque wrench. If you continue to over-torque the drain bolt you will eventually strip the threads in the oil pan and that is not good. Even the less expensive torque wrenches at Canadian Tire are better than guessing if the bolts are too loose or too tight.
 
1. Will there be any damage to my bike if those bolts were over-torqued?
Not likely.
2. I plan to replace both bolts. Any local store will carry them? I live in Richmond Hill. I don't want to order online as I don't want to wait.
Your only real option is to stick with OEM Kawi parts, try a few dealers.
3. How tight is too tight? I am a fairly strong guy and just can't believe it took so much force to loosen those bolts.
Don't have to reef on them, these are engine bolts into aluminium, threads can be ruined in a hurry, and over torquing the oil filter bolt can break the plate easily.
4. I don't have torque-wrench. any tips on how to tighten those bolts?
Parts like these, I don't bother with torque values, snug to where it won't vibrate loose is what you are looking for, but I've been wrenching since the 70's, I've developed a feel for it. If the manual lists inch/lbs, do not confuse with foot/lbs.
5. What's a good torque-wrench you guys recommend? Not too expensive and does the job.
Get the needle type, old school. A click type torque wrench, can get out of spec, and WAY over torque.
 
The torque setting for that bolt is approx. 14.5 ft-lbs. Although I use a torque wrench ' it,s difficult to detect when you reach that rating because the setting is so low. The wtench will not make a clicking noise, you have to go by feel. Once you detect a liitle resistence you have reaching the setting. Personally I think what the other two posters above mentioned is just as good. Hand tighten and then quarter turn with socket wrench. Also be carefull which direction you are turning the bolt. You may get confused when unnder the bike.
 
guys, I ordered the bolt through Kahuna Powersport last Saturday (the guy there told me 3-4 days) and figured it would be faster to order through local dealer than from internet somewhere. I was WRONG. Called today and still no where see the part. How long does it usually take you guys to get the parts through dealer and on internet? It is just purely painfully to see my bike sitting in the garage when the weather is so nice out there :-(
 
It all depends what you are buying , where its from, if it's in stock etc. My experience - internet takes longer. Even if they have it in stock , it normally takes 1-2 weeks for them to mail it out. Just my recent experiences.
 
I ordered the bolt that holds the oil filter and the guy at Kahuna told me it's in Kawasaki stock and would take only 3-4 days. Now after an almost a week, still no sight of it. Next time I will try internet as it takes equal amount of time (1-2 wks) but I don't have to pay premium to order through dealer.

250R-ICE said:
It all depends what you are buying , where its from, if it's in stock etc. My experience - internet takes longer. Even if they have it in stock , it normally takes 1-2 weeks for them to mail it out. Just my recent experiences.
Click to expand...
 
Order from Snow City next time, they normally get me Yamaha parts in 1-2 days. Don't know how they are for Kawasaki though. Best of all they call you when the parts are in, not like most shops that just say they will
 
you have to use a breaker bar to increase the leverage when loosening those bolts...
or you'll just end up doing what you did and causing more problems for yourself...
 
LoneRonin said:
you have to use a breaker bar to increase the leverage when loosening those bolts...
or you'll just end up doing what you did and causing more problems for yourself...
Click to expand...

Breaker bar to remove oil filter cover and the drain bolts??? Seriously?! What's next? Impact gun? OP most likely does not have proper tools to do this kind of job. Get proper set of sockets first if you want to change your oil again. OP, go get proper sockets, and while you are there (CT or wherever) get the kit for removing rounded-off bolts.

It's really hard to say how tight is tight without showing it. Try it with the torque wrench first (yes, they sell those at CT and other hardware stores too), then you will know how tight is tight. And yes, if you overtighten those bolts in the aluminum housing, you're pretty much screwed and will need to learn how to install helicoil inserts.
 
Usually a 17mm wrench is all you need. Hand tighten the bolt and move it a 1/4 turn and that should do it. No real need for a torque wrench.

As for the bolt -have you called Royal to see if they have one there?
 
Usually a 17mm wrench is all you need. Hand tighten the bolt and move it a 1/4 turn and that should do it. No real need for a torque wrench.

As for the bolt -have you called Royal to see if they have one there?
It's really hard to say how tight is tight without showing it. Try it with the torque wrench first (yes, they sell those at CT and other hardware stores too), then you will know how tight is tight. And yes, if you overtighten those bolts in the aluminum housing, you're pretty much screwed and will need to learn how to install helicoil inserts.
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Yes, I will call Royal tomorrow and see if they have the part. Still no sight of part I ordered from Kahuna last Saturday. Don't know the problem with Kawasaki or Kahuna. But I will definitely try other store next time I need something.

This is the first time I tried to change the oil and Rose Toe did the last oil change. So I think they know what they are doing and didn't over torque. and it is just the tool/method I used was wrong. One is that I didn't remove fairing when tried the first time with 17mm wrench. Maybe that's why. I just bought a set of sockets from CT and removed the left fairing to make more room. Once the part in, I can put everything together right away. This is killing me :-(.
 
dragonrider said:
Yes, I will call Royal tomorrow and see if they have the part. Still no sight of part I ordered from Kahuna last Saturday. Don't know the problem with Kawasaki or Kahuna. But I will definitely try other store next time I need something.

This is the first time I tried to change the oil and Rose Toe did the last oil change. So I think they know what they are doing and didn't over torque. and it is just the tool/method I used was wrong. One is that I didn't remove fairing when tried the first time with 17mm wrench. Maybe that's why. I just bought a set of sockets from CT and removed the left fairing to make more room. Once the part in, I can put everything together right away. This is killing me :-(.
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Call Glen at Flying Squirrel.. he may have the part quicker than most dealerships.
 
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