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[longlast]

I was wondering can any one say why there is a allen plug in the motor oil pan that the manual says not to remove. 07 Ultra Classic.
Thanks in advance.

[Ohio HD]

Front face of the oil pan, points to the front of the bike.

[grc]

The plug is there to seal off the open end of a drilled oil passage in the pan that connects to other oil passages that eventually feed the oil pump.  The only reasons to ever remove it would be to either install an oil temperature sending unit, which some have done with dash mounted oil temperature gauges, or to clean out the passages if the pan becomes contaminated with debris.

Jerry

[longlast]

Thanks, It was just that the manual says not to remove it but nothing about why not to. Would save hassle if it just said either plug could be removed to drain oil. Thanks, The learning process goes on.

[TNCarters]

GRC, Is the second plug one of the pipe plugs not made to routinely be removed?  Heard of people fouling up their aluminum pans with the second plug.  Don't ever touch mine.  In fact I started using a 5/8 socket to change fluids to reduce the chance of getting the wrong plug or dealing with allen sockets.

[grc]

You really shouldn't make it a regular practice to remove that plug to drain oil.  Stick to the one that was designed for the purpose with straight threads and an O-ring seal.  You don't remove similar plugs in your auto engine oil passages, and you shouldn't on your Harley.

Jerry

[grc]

GRC, Is the second plug one of the pipe plugs not made to routinely be removed?  Heard of people fouling up their aluminum pans with the second plug.  Don't ever touch mine.  In fact I started using a 5/8 socket to change fluids to reduce the chance of getting the wrong plug or dealing with allen sockets.

Yes it is.  You will find another one in the bottom of the crankcase, and that one also shouldn't be removed on a regular basis.  I only recommend removing that one if someone is doing diagnostics and needs to determine exactly how much oil is being left in the sump.

Jerry

[Twolanerider]

Yes it is.  You will find another one in the bottom of the crankcase, and that one also shouldn't be removed on a regular basis.  I only recommend removing that one if someone is doing diagnostics and needs to determine exactly how much oil is being left in the sump.

Jerry

Plus, that one is small enough and can bind tightly enough that it has been known for engine cases to crack or break before the plug turned loose.  If you must remove then use all due diligence you would with any important pipe plug.  If you don't have to remove it just leave it alone.

[longlast]

All points taken  cheers