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[ronw48]

I just got through changing all the fluids in my 2010 Ultra Limited over to synthetic.  The dealer had done the 1000 mile service using standard fluids.  I was concerned when I pulled the drain plug for the oil when I saw it had white teflon tape on it.  I thought maybe they had screwed up the threads on the first service.  Turns out, they put teflon tape on every drain plug.  Is that normal for the 1000 mile service, or were they just covering their asses in case of a cross thread?

[Chains]

Sounds like a cover up to me

[mjb765]

shouldn't need tape on those.....there is a rubber 'O" ring on those plugs.

[Twolanerider]

That's not even something one would do as a CYA to help avoid a cross thread.  Sounds more like an imposed shop policy or tech's individual practice based on no good reasoning.  O-ring seals aren't helped by teflon tape.

I'm not a fan of that stuff in automotive uses anyway.  End threads can go places you don't want them.  Paste on and other products do a better job when there is a proper need.

[sadunbar]

I replace the drain plug o'ring seal each time I change oil....but have never used teflon tape.  

Remove the teflon tape and see if you have a leak....  If no leak, than using teflon tape on your drain plug is probably just a poor habit of the tech who did your 1000 mile oil change.  If you do have a leak...well....you can figure the rest out.

(and change your own oil from now on...!)

[ronw48]

Yea, the first thing I did was clean all the plugs and get rid of the teflon tape.  Haven't had a chance to get out and ride it, but no apparent leaks just starting it up.  I've had problems with this dealer before doing stupid things, that's why I started doing all of my own work.  I'll give them a call in the morning and see if I can talk to the owner.  It's the number 2 dealership in the nation, and their service department sucks.

[BLM777]

Every new bike I've pulled the oil on since '04 has had the white teflon tape on all the drain plugs.  I always peel it off and change O rings, but don't really know why they use it on a street bike.  Most if not all serious offroaders on bikes or ATV use it at every oil change as an extra measure against vibration and a loose plug falling out in the middle of nowhere.

Nothing to worry about, except the fact that your dealer doesn't change the O rings as he should at every service.

[Twolanerider]

Every new bike I've pulled the oil on since '04 has had the white teflon tape on all the drain plugs.  I always peel it off and change O rings, but don't really know why they use it on a street bike.  Most if not all serious offroaders on bikes or ATV use it at every oil change as an extra measure against vibration and a loose plug falling out in the middle of nowhere.

Nothing to worry about, except the fact that your dealer doesn't change the O rings as he should at every service.

Have read about people paying extra for loose plugs and white tape and other such oddities.... 

[BLM777]

Have read about people paying extra for loose plugs and white tape and other such oddities.... 

Don't frickin start .......   

[Twolanerider]

Don't frickin start .......   

whut ?

[Kodiak]

I was also told when it was on mine it was a extra protection against vibration.

[Twolanerider]

I was also told when it was on mine it was a extra protection against vibration.

Well....  you see it's like th.......



Ok, Brian said I can't.  Chit.

[BLM777]

Well....  you see it's like th.......



Ok, Brian said I can't.  Chit.

Much better ..... had some very scary thoughts about the direction that was headed 

[Twolanerider]

Much better ..... had some very scary thoughts about the direction that was headed 

Yeah, potential friction from that is something even a good taping couldn't fix.  That's the kind of stuff that could get a guy banned !

[donald p]

My 500 mi oil change came back with tape on the plug asked Harley down at the 105th if this was the way the pug came he said no. Found out on the next oil change the pan thread was stripped. Got it replaced by the dealer, so it could have been some bad pans.