Sump Plug Problem

eo1bart · Jan 8, 2023

When removing the sump plug on the Mk2 Commando, the bolt head snapped right off.
I was able to remove the other bolt half with an easy out, however as you can see from the photo the magnet is missing.
It is obliviously now in the sump. I tried fishing some wire through the hole hoping the magnet would stick to it, but no luck.
Any ideas? I'm not thrilled about having to remove the head and cylinder to get it

mean gene · Jan 8, 2023

I imagine you removed the sump filter? You might be lucky and find it stuck to it! They also make a bore scope that you could see inside case, hook it to you computer, $60 on line.

texasSlick · Jan 8, 2023

Try fixing another magnet to your fish wire. The lost magnet should have a greater affinity to your fish magnet, than to the crankshaft.

Good luck with it.

Slick

BTW .... be sure to securely fix the magnet to your fish wire ..... you do not want to lose another one.

concours · Jan 8, 2023

eo1bart said:
When removing the sump plug on the Mk2 Commando, the bolt head snapped right off.
I was able to remove the other bolt half with an easy out, however as you can see from the photo the magnet is missing.
It is obliviously now in the sump. I tried fishing some wire through the hole hoping the magnet would stick to it, but no luck.
Any ideas? I'm not thrilled about having to remove the head and cylinder to get it

I think we mag have met at a NNENO meeting?
I'm not generally a fan of cheap tools, but this is a great tool. I've used real (EXPENSIVE) ones for 30 years. This thing had AMAZING resolution and I own & recommend it.

Digital Inspection Camera

Amazing deals on this Digital Inspection Camera at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

concours · Jan 8, 2023

This is a great reason why I make my own. Yesterday the generator got one (1/4" pipe plug). Normal drain plugs get a 1/4" D hole, 3/16" deep as a pocket for the magnet.

Being drilled hollow to the bottom is an engineering/manufacturing fail.
Needless weakening of the bolt.

JMWO

EstuaryBoy · Jan 8, 2023

Daft question, but do you know the magnet was present in the first place????

Just saying

Fast Eddie · Jan 8, 2023

concours said:
This is a great reason why I make my own. Yesterday the generator got one (1/4" pipe plug). Normal drain plugs get a 1/4" D hole, 3/16" deep as a pocket for the magnet.View attachment 102653

Being drilled hollow to the bottom is an engineering/manufacturing fail.
Needless weakening of the bolt.

JMWO

A Snap On JB Weld mixer… !?!

concours · Jan 8, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
A Snap On JB Weld mixer… !?!

Yuuuuup, and a Weil-McLain epoxy curer

marshg246 · Jan 8, 2023

No idea where the drain plug in the original post came from but when you buy one from AN today, they include a slip of paper that warns not to tighten to more than 10 ft lbs.

Personally, I don't use them. Most things in these engines are not magnetic and the super fine particles you'll often find on the magnet will easily pass through the pump and be caught in the oil filter. On those engines with the sump filter screen, these are really useless IMHO.

74 Cafe' · Jan 8, 2023

concours said:
I think we mag have met at a NNENO meeting?
I'm not generally a fan of cheap tools, but this is a great tool. I've used real (EXPENSIVE) ones for 30 years. This thing had AMAZING resolution and I own & recommend it.

Digital Inspection Camera

Amazing deals on this Digital Inspection Camera at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I have the same bore scope as this one that I have used for years on the BMW race motors and it works great. I too have another very expensive one but this is a much better unit. The small camera makes it very desirable for entry into smaller holes that the more expensive cameras can't enter.....

marshg246 · Jan 8, 2023

This is a really nice scope. Has a front and side camera and a clear picture. The one I had before this was cheap, but you could barely make out anything as the picture was so bad. The side camera is really nice to have - think of trying to look at a valve with only a front camera - can't. Being able to take pictures or videos is also nice.

Amazon product ASIN B0928Q3T42

Deets55 · Jan 8, 2023

Metal dust on my drain magnet was the tip off that my cam was going bad. I think they do serve a purpose. Like everything else don't overtighten. There are plenty of good options for sealing washers and PTFE thread sealers.

Pete

Deets55 · Jan 8, 2023

This is what I use. The articulating head is a nice feature. Not sure if it will fit in the Commando drain hole.

olympus · Jan 8, 2023

This is why for as many years as i can remember attach a neodymium holed disked super strength magnet to the end of the oil filter canisters

marshg246 · Jan 8, 2023

concours said:
This is a great reason why I make my own. Yesterday the generator got one (1/4" pipe plug). Normal drain plugs get a 1/4" D hole, 3/16" deep as a pocket for the magnet.View attachment 102653

Being drilled hollow to the bottom is an engineering/manufacturing fail.
Needless weakening of the bolt.

JMWO

This made me think. What about a longer bolt and simply magnetize it?

eo1bart · Jan 8, 2023

So far no luck. I have a borescope that attaches to my phone. The problem is that it will only go in just past the end of the drain plug hole and then it hits something. I thought I might be able to reach it from the large sump plug.
That didn't work either. I think the flywheel is in the way. I'm going to look for a very small flexible snake with a magnet on the end and see if that works. Thanks to all.

eo1bart · Jan 8, 2023

EstuaryBoy said:
Daft question, but do you know the magnet was present in the first place????

Just saying

Yes, I've had the plug out a few times

BERT · Jan 8, 2023

Obviously a real bummer. Thanks for posting as it sure opened my eyes about magnetic drainplugs.

marinatlas · Jan 8, 2023

Better to fit a std plug , and fit a magnet in the large sump plug (buy an all ready made one or make it yourself )

marshg246 · Jan 8, 2023

eo1bart said:
So far no luck. I have a borescope that attaches to my phone. The problem is that it will only go in just past the end of the drain plug hole and then it hits something. I thought I might be able to reach it from the large sump plug.
That didn't work either. I think the flywheel is in the way. I'm going to look for a very small flexible snake with a magnet on the end and see if that works. Thanks to all.

Unfortunately, it is probably attached to the flywheel. I would try this: remove the big sump plug, bike on the center stand on enough wood to get your head under the bike (scary). Bike tied down somehow so it can't move or with a helper. Plugs out, in 4th gear. Get your head under the bike and using a light look in the big sump hole at the flywheel. Turn the rear wheel to make the crank turn and hope you see the magnet. If that's too scary, the scope might let you see it through the big sump hole.

Sump Plug Problem

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